Internal injuries are among the most serious and life-threatening effects of car accidents, but an exposed motorcyclist with no seatbelt or enclosed structure protecting them in a collision faces a 27 times greater risk of suffering internal injuries in a crash than a motorcyclist. A motorcycle rider makes direct contact with the road, obstacles, or a vehicle in a collision, often causing blunt force trauma in multiple body parts, including the head, chest, and abdomen, where the body cavities house critical organs. Blunt force trauma from a motorcycle crash or other traffic accident sometimes results in internal injuries. If you’ve been hurt, contact Road Justice to speak with a trusted motorcycle crash lawyer in Texas today.
What Are the Most Common Types of Motorcycle Accident-Related Internal Injuries?
Internal injuries are not visible from the outside of the body because the injury takes place in critical structures hidden inside body cavities. During an accident, three types of collisions occur: collisions between vehicles, collisions of the body with obstacles, and collisions of internal organs. It’s during this internal collision that the organs may suffer damage, including laceration, tearing, hemorrhaging, bruising, and inflammation. Common internal injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, subdural hematomas, diffuse axonal injuries, and coup-contrecoup injuries
- Chest injuries such as pneumothorax or collapsed lung, ruptured diaphragm, and abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Organ damage to organs such as the spleen, liver, kidneys, and intestines
- Torn or severed arteries
- Nerve injuries
- Crush injuries
Internal injuries sometimes go unnoticed for the initial minutes, hours, or even days after the accident until internal bleeding and inflammation begin to impact nerves or cause other symptoms. For this reason, some motorcycle accident victims with internal injuries believe they’ve suffered only mild injuries and may decline a trip to the hospital. Unfortunately, they may begin to develop symptoms later, when the internal injury becomes critical or even life-threatening. Don’t wait, call Road Justice for a free consultation with an experienced Texas motorcycle accident internal injury attorney today.
What are the Symptoms of Internal Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident?
It’s important to recognize the signs of internal injuries, since they are not visible from the outside of the body. The signs of internal injuries may arise minutes after an accident, or could take hours or days to develop.
Signs of Traumatic Brain Injuries:
Helmets prevent motorcycle deaths by 27% for operators and 41% for passengers. Despite this protection, internal injuries may occur in the brain when a powerful blow causes the brain to bump or twist against the inside of the skull. Symptoms include headaches, vision problems, dizziness, ringing in the ear, difficulty with balance and coordination, speech problems, trouble concentrating, and changes in mood and personality.
Signs of Internal Injuries In the Chest:
When internal injuries occur in the upper thoracic region, they impact the respiratory and circulatory systems. Common symptoms include difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, and rapid or irregular heartbeat.
Symptoms of Internal Injuries In the Abdomen:
Internal bleeding and internal organ damage in the abdomen cause symptoms such as a firm, distended abdomen, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and blood in the urine or stool.
The Importance of Seeking Medical Care After a Motorcycle Accident
Except in the mildest of fender bender accidents, a motorcycle accident victim who experienced a significant impact in a crash should go to the hospital or an urgent care center as soon as possible, or straight from the accident scene. At the hospital, it’s important to request a thorough medical assessment in addition to treatment for apparent injuries. This helps to identify internal injuries so the motorcycle accident victim receives the care they need before internal bleeding and inflammation cause permanent organ damage, which may be life-threatening. Call a motorcycle accident internal injury attorney in Texas at Road Justice today for a free consultation.