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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 5,250,837 car accidents in the United States in 2020. Some of the collisions result in minor bruises, while others can lead to severe injuries, including blunt force trauma.
The attorneys at Powell Law Firm have extensive experience in protecting the rights of injured victims in St. Louis, Missouri. Those who have suffered blunt force trauma injuries due to another's negligence should contact Powell Law Firm to discuss their case and learn more about their rights.
What Is a Blunt Force Trauma Car Accident?
When a car accident happens, there are two types of injuries that can occur, and these are as follows:
Penetrating injuries
Non-penetrating injuries
Non-penetrating injuries, also called blunt force trauma, refer to bodily injury arising from a forceful impact. Although a blunt force may not penetrate the skin, a car accident can generate enough energy to crush bones, shake the brain, and cause internal damage.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Blunt Force Trauma?
There are many different symptoms an injured party may experience following a blunt force trauma, some of which include the following:
Severe contusions and bruising
Broken bones and fractures
Cuts and laceration
Inability to move around
Nausea and vomiting
Shortness of breath
Swelling and tenderness
The symptoms of blunt force trauma may vary from one individual to the other. Head injuries sustained by a victim in a car accident, for example, may result in different symptoms than those suffering from abdominal injuries or blunt chest trauma.
In some cases, a car accident may cause a traumatic brain injury or internal bleeding, which may be challenging to diagnose without a proper medical evaluation.
It's essential for the injured victim to seek immediate medical attention following the crash.
Blunt Force Trauma and Delayed Symptoms
Unlike penetrating injuries, where there is a likelihood of blood, blunt force trauma can be challenging to diagnose at the scene of the accident, as there are no signs of penetration.
The injured victim may be unaware of the injuries sustained following the crash until later on down the road when they start feeling discomfort and pain.
Many injured victims suffering from blunt force trauma often fail to monitor their symptoms, and they take over-the-counter painkillers to alleviate the pain.
Failure to diagnose and treat the internal injuries could lead to serious medical complications, adversely impacting the victim's chances of recovery and jeopardizing their personal injury case.
Are Blunt Force Trauma Injuries Dangerous?
The severity of the injury depends on the location of the impact and the amount of force generated from the car accident.
A motor vehicle collision can lead to minor injuries, such as bruises and cuts, which can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications and a first aid kit.
However, some car accidents can result in catastrophic blunt-force trauma injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, and abdominal injuries, among others.
Although advancements in medicine and technology have made it possible to treat serious injuries, early detection is the key to a successful recovery.
In most cases, blunt force injuries are challenging to diagnose, and a delay in treatment can lead to medical complications and even death.
Causes of a Blunt Force Trauma Injury
Some of the most common causes of blunt force trauma injury include the following:
Car accidents: A car accident can result in head injuries, which is the most common type of blunt trauma. It can lead to permanent disability and, in worse cases, death.
Slip and falls: Falling is the most common cause of blunt force trauma in young children and elderly adults. It can lead to broken bones, fractures, and concussions, among many other types of injuries.
Violence: When someone exerts violence on others by using their hands or an object, it could result in blunt force trauma, leading to injuries, such as head injuries, brain damage, and internal bleeding.
Diagnosing and Treating Blunt Force Injury
Diagnosing a blunt force injury and medical treatment depends on the nature of the injuries sustained.
Traumatic brain injury patients, for example, may require an MRI for diagnosis, while those suffering from a broken bone may need a quick X-ray.
Why Should the Injured Victims Seek Legal Help after Their Blunt Force Trauma Car Accident?
When motor vehicle crashes arising from negligent actions lead to serious traumatic injuries, it's essential to seek medical attention before speaking to an experienced personal injury attorney.
Here are a few reasons why injured victims should seek legal help immediately following their motor vehicle crashes:
Statute of Limitations
Under the personal injury law, injured victims have a certain period to pursue legal action to recover compensatory damages.
Failure to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the negligent party's insurance company can bar the affected party from recovering compensation.
Although Missouri has a five-year statute of limitations, it's important to seek legal help immediately so that the personal injury attorney can start building a strong case.
Accounts of the Accident
As time passes, memories may start to fade, and the injured victim may forget small details about the accident that could prove to be critical pieces of information.
Reaching out to an experienced personal injury attorney after the car crash could make it easier for the injured victim to recall all of the events that unfolded prior to the incident.
It can also allow the auto accident law firm in St Louis to craft a solid legal plan, increasing the victim's chance of recovery.
Gathering Evidence
When an accident occurs, the injured victim may not have the necessary evidence to build a personal injury claim.
An attorney can help with the investigation, but it's crucial for the affected party to reach out to them immediately, as waiting too long could result in losing critical evidence. Especially circumstances of a brain bleed from car accident.
With the passage of time, evidence at the crash site starts to clear away, or footage from the CCTV cameras may overwrite.
If there are key witnesses in a personal injury case, they may lose their memory if the affected party waits too long to pursue legal action.
Powell Law Firm Can Help the Injured Victims in St. Louis, Missouri
A car accident can completely turn an individual's life around, affecting them physically, mentally, and financially. Whether it is a head injury, broken bones, or a traumatic brain injury, it's crucial for the injured victim to seek medical attention and legal help immediately.
Those who have suffered broken ribs from car accident, head trauma or other blunt force trauma injuries due to another's negligence should call to schedule a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
The legal team at Powell Law Firm can help assess the victim's case, gather the necessary evidence, and fight for the compensation that the affected party deserves.