Watch for Signs of Internal Bleeding After a Major Car Crash

After a car crash, you will likely feel sore and banged up from the violent motion of the vehicles during the collision. Most people are more worried about major, obvious injuries, like spinal cord damage, than they are about more subtle or invisible injuries. You might even feel lucky if you don’t think you have any broken bones or obvious injuries immediately after the collision occurs.

However, it’s still possible for you to suffer a life-threatening injury without noticing immediate symptoms after the crash. In some cases, your body’s chemical response to the crash will dull your pain symptoms, making it harder to recognize how seriously you’re hurt. Other times, it could be hours or even a few days before you realize that something is wrong.

Internal bleeding is a potentially serious and noteworthy concern for those who have been in a car crash. Recognizing the symptoms of internal bleeding can help you get treatment quickly to avoid the worst consequences.

Some People Experience Dizziness and Fainting Because of Blood Loss

If you experience severe internal bleeding, your body may eventually give you hints that something is seriously amiss. People who have already lost a noteworthy amount of blood may feel dizzy or faint, like they can’t quite focus or stay awake.

Bruised and Inflamed Tissue Could Be Another Warning Sign

If you smacked your arm on the windshield or hit your stomach on the steering wheel, you’re going to have a bruise. However, car crashes can also produce ecchymosis, which is a severe form of deep bruising resulting from internal bleeding.

Don’t Ignore Abdominal Swelling and Serious Pain

If you lose enough blood to cause swelling in the abdominal cavity, that could be a sign of a serious injury, like a laceration to your liver or spleen. Checking yourself for swelling, inflammation or worsening bruises can give you an idea of whether the bleeding is still happening.

It’s also worth noting that headaches and nausea could occur as a symptom of internal bleeding in the head, along with multiple other unique symptoms.

If you suspect that you or someone in your vehicle has the symptoms of internal bleeding, seeking medical care sooner rather than later can protect them and improve the worst possible risks associated with internal bleeding, including possibly dying.