If you are involved in a car accident, it is important to be aware of the potential for stomach and abdomen injuries. These injuries often go unnoticed, but they can be very serious.
If you are experiencing stomach pain after a car accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. to know what steps to take next and whether or not you have the right to file a personal injury claim.
How Long Does it Take For an Abdominal Injury to Appear After an Automobile Accident?
It is important to remember that abdominal injuries do not always present symptoms immediately. Some injuries may not appear for days or even weeks after the accident. If you are experiencing unusual stomach pain, it could indicate that you have a serious internal injury. It is best to seek medical treatment right away.
Causes of Abdominal Pain After a Car Accident
There are many potential causes of abdominal pain after a car accident. Some of these include:
Blunt Force Trauma
If your abdomen hits the steering wheel, dashboard, or is compressed by your seatbelt during an accident, it may cause contusions or a rupture of internal organs. Organs that can be affected include the liver, intestines, pancreas, and spleen.
Internal Bleeding From Organ Damage
Internal bleeding is when blood accumulates in the abdominal cavity due to damage to an internal organ or blood vessel, which may have occurred during a collision. This is a serious injury that can often be fatal.
Abdominal Compartment Syndrome
Abdominal compartment syndrome, or organ compression, is caused by severe abdominal trauma. It occurs when intense pressure reduces blood flow to your abdominal organs and can cause obstructive shock or death.
Spinal Injuries
During a collision, an injury to your spine could impact nerves that control your stomach’s functioning. This may lead to abdominal pain or other digestive issues.
Bruising on the Abdomen
The abdomen is a very sensitive area of the body. Bruises on the abdomen may indicate damage to the skin or muscles that surround organs within this region of the body. Even if your internal organs are not damaged, an injury to your stomach can cause intense pain and discomfort.
Ruptured Spleen
The spleen is a small, bean-shaped organ located in the upper abdomen. It can rupture if it sustains a significant injury during an accident. A ruptured spleen can lead to internal bleeding and may require removal of the spleen in some cases.
Signs of Abdominal Trauma
Several signs may indicate you have sustained abdominal trauma in a car accident. These include:
- Pain in the abdomen or stomach area
- Blood in the stool or vomit
- Bruising around the navel
- Tenderness when touched
- Weakness and dizziness
- Rapid breathing or pulse rate
If you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident, you should seek medical attention right away.
Stomach Injuries During a Car Accident
The following are some of the most common types of stomach injuries during a car accident. These include:
Organ Damage
When organs such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys are damaged from trauma (such as car accidents), they may not function properly. This can lead to pain in the abdomen and other symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
Internal Bleeding
If you have been in a car accident, the force of impact may have caused internal bleeding. This may happen if an organ or vessel was damaged during the collision.
Diagnosing Abdominal Trauma
Your doctor will perform an examination and order diagnostic tests such as blood work or X-rays to diagnose abdominal trauma. It is important to get checked out after an accident so that doctors can rule out other causes for your symptoms.
Delayed Stomach Pain After a Car Accident
Internal injuries often cause delayed stomach pain after a car accident. Therefore, if you have been in an auto collision, it is important to seek medical attention right away. The sooner you receive treatment for your injury, the better your chances of making a full recovery from any type of abdominal trauma or organ damage that may have occurred during the collision.
Some internal injury symptoms to look out for include:
Seat Belt Syndrome
One of the most common delayed symptoms of car accident victims is abdominal pain. Often referred to as seatbelt syndrome, injuries result from the extreme force on the chest and abdomen because of the seatbelt’s restraining effect.
Stomach Pain and Children
Children have a greater risk for abdominal injuries because their abdominal muscles aren’t fully developed. In addition, they have less abdominal fat compared to adults, making them more susceptible to internal bleeding and organ damage due to the impact of a car accident.
Treatment for Abdominal Pain After a Car Accident
If you are experiencing abdominal pain after a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention right away. Treatment may include surgery, depending on the cause of your pain. The sooner you receive treatment, the better your chances of a full recovery.
If you have been in a car accident and are experiencing any abdominal pain, don’t hesitate to seek medical assistance. It is important to get checked out to rule out any serious injuries.
Can You Sue for Stomach Pain After a Car Accident?
If you suffer from stomach pain after a car accident, you may be able to sue the at-fault party for compensation. You should contact an attorney specializing in auto accidents as soon as possible.
What Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Do For You
The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers with 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.
Compensation for Abdominal Injuries Caused By an Accident
The amount of a settlement will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, whether or not they are permanent, the cost of medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our attorneys have experience evaluating cases just like yours to determine what they may be worth and 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 the Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. 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 experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past 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 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.