Blunt Force Trauma And Your Legal Rights

car accident blunt force trauma Blunt force trauma refers to injury of the body from a forceful impact on an object. Motor vehicle crashes are the most common cause of traumatic injuries. Learn about blunt force trauma injuries, common symptoms, and debilitating effects on parts of the body. This article delves into how a blunt force injury attorney can help recover damages from blunt force trauma. Knowing your legal rights means fighting for what you rightfully deserve. Life must go on despite the insurmountable challenges.

Traumatic Injuries From a Car Accident

Blunt force trauma from a motor vehicle accident can change your life forever. Traumatic injuries from a car accident leave you and your loved one battle-scarred for life if you are lucky enough to survive the fatal car accident.

Blunt Force Trauma Injury Statistics

In the United States, trauma is the leading cause of death for individuals ages 1–45, and trauma is the fourth leading cause of death for all ages. In Michigan, the state trauma registry recorded 129,683 blunt-force trauma incidents in two years (October 2018–September 2020).

Common Cause Of Blunt Impact Injuries

Blunt impact injuries usually are from physical assaults, direct blows, sports injuries, and falls. But most blunt impact injuries are due to blunt trauma from motor vehicle crashes and pedestrian injuries. In most cases, significant physical protection like a seat belt may not be enough to avert the impact of blunt trauma from motor vehicle accidents.

Types Of Blunt Force Trauma Injuries

Blunt-force trauma from a car accident may lead to serious traumatic injuries. Severe injuries depend on the force applied to the body. Some of the usual blunt trauma injuries are:

Brain injuries

There is a risk of developing traumatic brain injury whenever a head trauma occurs. Traumatic brain injuries are penetrating injuries and closed head injuries.

Chest injuries

A blunt chest trauma may damage the area between the neck and the abdomen. The impact may damage the chest wall, including bones, skin, fats, muscles, and tissues.

Abdominal injuries

Solid organs like the spleen and liver are susceptible to laceration if abdominal trauma occurs. Fractured ribs, sharp force, and penetration trauma can lacerate abdominal tissues.

Common Blunt Force Trauma Symptoms

People involved in fatal car accidents often exhibit blunt force trauma symptoms :

  • Abdominal pain and tenderness, nausea, and vomiting
  • Svelte seatbelt signs across the abdomen, chest, or neck for those who suffer from intra-abdominal injuries
  • Hypotension, or a decrease in blood pressure, is a sign of tissue damage and severe injuries to the internal organs.
  • Hemorrhage, or internal bleeding, is a sign of ruptured blood vessels.

A medical professional uses X-ray, CT scan, and ultrasound imaging to detect traumatic injuries and fractures like neck injuries, broken bones, depressed skull, and pelvic fractures. Aside from diagnostic imaging, a medical examiner may also request diagnostic peritoneal lavage to detect floating liquid in the abdominal cavity. These laboratory tests confirm blunt trauma suspicions.

Common Blunt Force Trauma Symptoms

People involved in fatal car accidents often exhibit blunt force trauma symptoms :

  • Abdominal pain and tenderness, nausea, and vomiting
  • Svelte seatbelt signs across the abdomen, chest, or neck for those who suffer from intra-abdominal injuries
  • Hypotension, or a decrease in blood pressure, is a sign of tissue damage and severe injuries to the internal organs.
  • Migraines or headaches
  • Hemorrhage, or internal bleeding, is a sign of ruptured blood vessels.

A medical professional uses X-ray, CT scan, and ultrasound imaging to detect traumatic injuries and fractures like neck injuries, broken bones, depressed skull, and pelvic fractures. Aside from diagnostic imaging, a medical examiner may also request diagnostic peritoneal lavage to detect floating liquid in the abdominal cavity. These laboratory tests confirm blunt trauma suspicions.

Effects of blunt trauma to the abdomen and head

A blunt trauma to the abdomen may cause a rupture of the small and large intestines, which requires immediate medical intervention. It may lead to hypovolemic shock (low volume of blood in the body) and circulatory failure.

A blunt force head trauma may lead to severe brain injuries. A closed head injury causes the brain to bleed and swell. It may bring permanent damage. The patient may die instantly.

The Severity Of The Injury Depends On The Impact Of The Blunt Object Or Surfaces.

Patient A sustained a bruise on his forearm and legs when his motorcycle got hit by a slow-moving car. He was wearing a helmet, and the impact of blunt trauma was minimal.

Patient B got thrown off the bus when it collided head-on with a car. He suffered from pelvic, neck, and rib fractures. The diagnostic tests also showed internal bleeding from brain injuries. He succumbed to a coma and traumatic death a few days later.

Thus, your chance of survival depends on the impact of blunt force trauma on different parts of the body.

Delayed Symptoms For Blunt Force Trauma Injuries

Blunt force trauma injuries are usually visible immediately after a motor vehicle accident. However, symptoms for deep contusions may take several days to appear after a blunt-force trauma injury.

What Organs Are Most Often Affected By Blunt Trauma?

Blunt trauma cases from motor vehicle crashes usually result in abdominal injuries. Motor vehicle collisions may affect internal organs like the spleen, liver, kidneys, bladder, diaphragm, small intestines, and large intestines in the abdomen. Traumatic injuries to these internal organs often lead to internal hemorrhage or internal bleeding.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

The brain is a complex organ that controls thoughts, speech, emotions, and motor skills. It regulates breathing, blood circulation, and heart rate. The brain is unique and sensitive to its environment.

If the head gets hit by a sharp object or bang against its surroundings in a car accident, the sudden blow disrupts brain function. A blunt force head trauma causes traumatic brain injury (TBI) or alteration in the brain’s activity. In severe cases, TBI may lead to traumatic death. Deaths from head injuries account for 34% of all traumatic deaths. Approximately 50,000 deaths from TBI occur in the U.S. annually.

Head injuries such as skull fractures affect the brain’s neuronal activity and nerve cells in the brain. Trauma patients suffering from blunt force head trauma may experience :

  • Loss of memory (Amnesia)
  • Muscle weakness
  • Loss of vision or change in speech
  • Loss or decrease of consciousness
  • Disorientation, slow thinking, or difficulty concentrating

The trauma patient should seek medical attention immediately if he exhibits any of the following symptoms after a car accident:

  • Vomiting, dizziness, or balance concerns
  • Headache, confusion, or dilation of pupils
  • Slow pulse or breathing problems
  • Cognitive or speech difficulties
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Facial weakness, droopy eyelids, or numbness

Can You Recover Damages For Your Blunt Trauma?

Absolutely! The role of a blunt force injury lawyer is to help you recover damages as financial compensation for medical expenses and all things related to your blunt trauma injuries.

Five Important Things To Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident

  1. Call 911! – Your instinct will tell you to ask for help. Nothing beats the immediate response from 911 in Michigan.  The paralegal will assess your injuries, apply first aid, and write a medical report.
  2. Call the police – A police report is a crucial document to win your car accident case. Make sure the police officer gets your side of the story.
  3. Gather evidence – Gather evidence by taking photos or videos of the car damage and collision from all angles. Take pictures of your injuries as well. Get details from witnesses and the other driver-name, address, and contact numbers. Keep documents like medical and hospital bills, doctor’s fees, replacement services, and proof of lost income.
  4. Get immediate medical intervention – Seek medical intervention if you are unwell or injured. Follow all medical advice and stick to a rehabilitation plan.
  5. Call an experienced car accident attorney – An experienced car accident attorney will help you build an airtight case to claim compensation from the at-fault driver. He will also help settle insurance claims on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blunt Force Trauma Injuries

What helps with blunt force trauma?

  • You can take over-the-counter pain relievers.
  • Apply cold packs on the swollen or tender area of the skin after injury. After two days, apply a hot compress to promote blood circulation in the tissues.
  • Drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious foods, and take plenty of rest.

What are the potential long-term effects of head trauma?

A patient may get permanently disabled if he sustains severe head injuries. The patient may experience significant memory loss, drastic changes in personality, frequent headaches, and sensitivity to light and sound.

How long is blunt trauma recovery?

It depends on the impact of blunt trauma. A mild-to-moderate trauma may take several weeks to recover as long as the patient takes plenty of rest and follows the doctor’s instructions. It may take years to recover in severe cases of blunt force trauma.

Can I sue for blunt force trauma?

You can file a claim for blunt force trauma if someone is at-fault for your accident.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help With Blunt Force Trauma Injuries

An experienced car accident lawyer can help you understand your legal rights if someone is at-fault for blunt-force trauma injuries. He will help win your case by investigating, gathering evidence, collaborating with expert witnesses, and filing injury lawsuits.

Contact a Blunt Force Injury Attorney For a Free Consultation Today.

Our experienced blunt force injury attorneys in Okemos and Lansing, Michigan, are ready to help if you or your loved ones suffer from the long-term effects of blunt force injuries.

We offer a free assessment of your car accident case. You don’t pay unless you win your case. Call us for a free consultation at (517)-347-6900 or email info@theclarklawoffice.com.

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