Bruises, also known as contusions, are common after a car accident. If you have bruises after a car accident, it is important to know what steps to take next and whether or not you have the right to file a personal injury claim.

Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today.

Does Bruising Count as an Injury?

Yes – bruises are injuries. While bruising usually gets better, it is possible that it may be a sign that there was significant trauma to your body, and you may have other longer lasting injuries as a result of this trauma. In addition, deep bruising that lasts for more than two weeks may indicate internal bleeding, a serious health issue.

How Long Does it Take For Bruises to Show Up After a Car Accident?

Bruises usually appear within 12 to 36 hours after motor vehicle accidents. If you experience bruises, they can be painful and may last anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks, depending on the severity of your injuries.

You might also experience bruising in conjunction with broken bones or sprains, which means that you likely have more serious injuries than just bruises.

Do Not Underestimate Soreness and Bruising After a Wreck

Just because a bruise does not require immediate medical treatment, it does not mean that you do not need to seek treatment. For example, after a car accident, you could be experiencing a rush of adrenaline that can potentially mask injury symptoms.

Bruises often cause severe pain, and soreness can make doing daily tasks difficult. If the pain of your bruises is making life challenging for you, then you should see a doctor about them as soon as possible.

Internal Bruising

Bruising occurs when an injury breaks blood vessels under your skin. This causes blood to leak into the tissue beneath your skin, resulting in a visible blue-black spot.

In addition to appearing just under the surface of your skin, bruises can also develop in the deeper tissues of your body. For example, internal bruising can occur in the muscles of the legs and back. It can also occur in internal organs, such as the liver and spleen.

Skull Fractures

Bruising behind the ears and around the eyes after a car crash may be a sign of a skull fracture.

Bone Bruising

A bone bruise is a type of traumatic injury. It causes blood and fluid to build up in and around your injured bone. Symptoms of a bone bruise include:

• Swelling and pain in the area around the bruise
• Tenderness to touch
• Limited range of motion in the area
• Change in color of the injured area

Chest Contusions

If your chest is bruised during a car accident, it can be very painful. Forceful blows cause chest bruising and may represent an injury to the heart, blood vessels, lungs, airway, liver, or spleen.

If the pain from your bruises seems to get worse rather than better after a day or two, then you should see a doctor about them immediately as they could be internal bruising.

Airbag Injuries

Airbags can save your life, but they do not come without risk. They are designed to deploy at high speeds, and this may cause bruises or other injuries.

How Long Do Bruises Take to Heal?

The length of time that it takes for a bruise to heal depends on its severity. A bruise that does not break the skin will usually disappear in five to seven days. However, a deep bruise can take between two weeks and a month to heal fully.

Damages You Can Claim After a Car Accident

If you were injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, then you may be able to recover damages for your injuries. Some common types of damages that are awarded in auto accident cases include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages or loss of earning capacity (if the injury makes it difficult for you to work)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

Factors That Impact Your Personal Injury Settlement

A few factors will impact the amount of money you receive in a personal injury settlement.

Some of these include:

• The severity of your injuries – If you have suffered severe or permanent damage due to the accident, you may receive a larger settlement.
• The length of time it takes to recover – You may receive more money in compensation if you require a long or ongoing recovery period.
• The amount of medical bills and other expenses – If you have incurred significant medical bills as a result of the accident, you may be awarded more money in your settlement.

What Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Do For You

The Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.

Our attorneys have experience evaluating cases just like yours to determine what they may be worth and will work hard to get you fair compensation for your injuries.

Here are a few of our case results:

• $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
• $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
• $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
• $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
• $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
• $1 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined legal experience. 

All of our partners are recognized by Washington D.C. Super Lawyers®, and three of our partners have been ranked as ‘Top Lawyers by Washingtonian Magazine®.   In addition, the law firm has been  ranked as a ‘Best Law Firm’ by U.S. News and World Report, and has received the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell® Three of our partners having served as presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our car accident attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.