Did You Suffer Organ Damage or Internal Injuries After a Car Accident in Springfield? Call the Experienced Car Accident Lawyers at the Noll Law Office in Springfield, Illinois for Help
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of unintentional and accidental injuries in the United States. They are also the leading cause of organ damage and internal injuries after a car accident in Illinois. This includes damage to the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, stomach, intestines, reproductive organs, and other internal structures or organs. Of these vital structures, statistics reveal that the liver is the most commonly injured organ but the highest rate of mortality was for pancreatic injuries. If you or a loved one suffered any type of serious or catastrophic internal injuries after a car accident in Springfield, call the experienced car accident lawyers at the Noll Law Office for help.
They offer free case evaluations for victims and their families to learn more about their rights under Illinois law. That includes asking questions and getting answers to tough legal questions, including who is responsible for your injuries, what compensation you may be entitled to, and how their car accident lawyers in Springfield can help you and your family recover the compensation that you deserve. There is no obligation to sign up and there are no upfront costs, fees, or expenses to begin working with the Noll Law Office. And unlike other large personal injury law firms, the Noll Law Office handles all of its cases in-house – not farming cases off across the state to young associates. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in any type of motor vehicle accident, especially if you suffered internal injuries after a car accident in Springfield, call the Noll Law Offices today at (217) 414-8889.
What are Internal Injuries?
Internal injuries are defined as injuries that may not be visible from the outside, but those which cause damage to structures inside the body such as to organs, vessels, nerves, or other tissue. One of the most challenging aspects of internal injuries such as organ damage is that they are not visible and are therefore not easy to diagnose. This is particularly true of internal bleeding, which can be caused by certain types of organ injuries and may be life-threatening.
Two Types of Internal Injuries After a Car Accident
Generally, there are two types of organ damage or internal injuries after a car accident. Each type can cause significant pain and suffering, temporary disability, permanent disability, and even irreparable organ damage. The liver is particularly suspectable to both types of injuries due to its size and location in the body.
The first type of internal injury is those which are caused by blunt trauma. This is the majority of what the studies above have reported or compiled statistics on because it is the most common cause of organ damage. This type of injury is particularly common in car accidents and can be caused by the violent force of a collision, the secure tug of a seatbelt, or an impact on the interior of a vehicle (like a side wall, steering wheel, dashboard, or another structure). Victims who suffer blunt trauma may suffer internal injuries such as bruises, ruptures, tears, crushing damage, lacerations, contusions, and other types of similar injuries.
The second type of internal injury is caused by penetrating trauma. This type of internal injury occurs when a foreign object, such as a piece of a vehicle in a wreck, cuts into the body and directly damages an organ. This type of injury can be significant and fatal because of bleeding, but it could also result in widespread infection – especially to the intestines or colon.
A Subset of Internal Injuries Caused by Seatbelt Injuries
One common phenomenon associated with car accidents is the “seat belt phenomenon.” While seat belts often prevent death in motor vehicle collisions, the presence of skin abrasions on the neck, chest, and abdomen – called the seatbelt sign – indicates a high chance of internal injuries. One study published in the National Library of Medicine reported that the presence of abdominal wall ecchymosis (seat belt sign) increases the chance of intraabdominal injuries by eightfold. The authors concluded that because signs of peritonitis may not show up for one or more days following the vehicular collision, patients should be admitted to the hospital for evaluation if the seat belt sign was present.
Most Common Internal Injuries from Motor Vehicle Crashes
There are many different possible internal injuries after a car accident in Springfield or anywhere else in Illinois. Although some of these injuries may eventually heal after weeks or months of recovery, some internal injuries may result in permanent disability, removal of an organ, permanent damage, or wrongful death. Other times injuries to the reproductive organs may cause infertility or loss of a fetus (if pregnant).
Some of the most common internal injuries from motor vehicle accidents include the following:
- Liver injuries
- Kidney damage
- Stomach injuries, ruptures, or damage
- Pancreatic injuries
- Heart contusions or damage, including to the aortas
- Lung damage
- Stomach injuries
- Spleen lacerations
- Intestines or colon injuries
- Reproductive injuries, particularly to the testicles or ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus
- Bladder injuries, and
- Other damage to internal organs and structures that the experienced car accident lawyers at the Noll Law Offices can represent you and your family on.
What Treatments Are Available for Internal Injuries?
The treatment regimen for internal injuries varies widely depending on the type of injury sustained and where the injury is located. Most serious injuries will require immediate surgical intervention. Hospitals have “trauma teams” that categorize incoming persons following a motor vehicle collision. These trauma teams will have a surgeon and other specially trained individuals who will provide ready assistance for diagnostic and therapeutic assistance following the accident. The important thing to do is ensure that you receive a medical evaluation immediately.
What Should I Do If I Sustained Internal Injuries After a Car Accident in Illinois?
Follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment and ensure that after the initial treatment has been completed. Follow up with your specialists as advised by your physicians. Internal injuries can have life-threatening consequences if not medically followed and it is not worth the risk to yourself or your family by avoiding seeking medical help.
Did You or a Loved One Suffer Internal Injuries After a Car Accident in Springfield? We Can Help
Organ damage and internal injuries after a car accident in Illinois are very serious. This type of personal injury often results in prolonged disability and sometimes the loss of organ function. Whether you have fully recovered, have some partial organ dysfunction, have lost part of an organ, or needed a transplant due to internal injuries from a car accident in Springfield, call the Noll Law Office to have your case evaluated. You may have legal rights under Illinois law.
Their compassionate and experienced team will treat your family like their family. They will answer your questions and address any concerns that you may have regarding your case or your rights to compensation under Illinois law. You are not just another case file at the Noll Law Office. To learn more about how their experienced car accident lawyers in Springfield can help you in Springfield, Central Illinois, or anywhere else in Illinois, contact them today to schedule your free case evaluation today.