Hidden Internal Injuries to Watch for After a Colorado Car or Truck Collision
Not all injuries are visible. After a car or truck crash in Colorado, victims often walk away believing they’re okay, only to suffer a medical crisis days or even weeks later.
Hidden internal injuries are common in motor vehicle accidents, especially when the trauma involves high-speed impacts or heavy commercial trucks.
If you’ve been involved in a vehicle collision, it’s crucial to understand the signs of internal bleeding and the danger of undiagnosed crash injuries. There are serious legal consequences when medical providers and emergency rooms fail to diagnose these devastating injuries.
Why Internal Injuries Are So Dangerous After a Crash
During a car or truck collision, the body absorbs tremendous energy. Even if there’s no visible wound, blunt force trauma can damage vital organs, rupture blood vessels, or cause internal bleeding. These injuries may not produce immediate symptoms, making them especially insidious.
Victims of blunt force trauma in Colorado accidents may suffer:
- Liver or spleen lacerations
- Kidney damage
- Bowel perforations
- Retroperitoneal bleeding
- Brain hemorrhages
If these conditions are left untreated, they can quickly become life-threatening.
Common Hidden Internal Injuries After Car Accidents in Colorado
It’s important to know some of the most frequently missed or delayed diagnoses in crash victims.
Abdominal Bleeding
The liver, spleen, and kidneys are especially vulnerable in high-impact crashes. Bleeding in these areas may not present immediately but can still lead to shock, organ failure, or death if undetected.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
A TBI can occur even without direct head impact. Rapid acceleration and deceleration of the skull can cause bleeding or bruising in the brain, and these injuries may take hours or days to cause noticeable symptoms.
Internal Bleeding in the Chest
Rib fractures or a blow to the chest can puncture a lung or cause bleeding around the heart. This is particularly concerning in truck collisions, where the sheer force increases the risk of thoracic trauma.
Bowel and Mesenteric Injuries
Seatbelts save lives, but they can also cause internal damage during a high-speed crash. Since bowel perforations may not show up on initial scans, they require a high level of examination and follow-up imaging to diagnose.
Warning Signs of Internal Bleeding or Organ Damage
Recognizing the delayed accident symptoms of internal injuries is critical. Common signs include:
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- Deep bruising or seatbelt marks
- Weak or rapid pulse
- Pale or clammy skin
- Confusion, drowsiness, or slurred speech
- Blood in urine or stool
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
Emergency room personnel must be trained to provide a full evaluation, including imaging, blood tests, and neurological assessments.
When ERs Miss the Diagnosis
Unfortunately, some emergency rooms fail to perform the necessary tests or dismiss patients with instructions to monitor the situation at home. This can have devastating consequences.
Common ER failures in internal injury cases include:
- Not ordering CT scans or ultrasounds for abdominal pain
- Dismissing symptoms in younger or healthier patients
- Misinterpreting lab results or imaging studies
- Failing to admit the patient for observation
- Not performing neurological evaluations after head trauma
A hospital or provider may be liable for medical malpractice if its failure to diagnose leads to severe injuries or death.
Legal Implications of ER Misdiagnosis After a Crash
If an emergency room fails to detect hidden internal injuries after a car accident in Colorado, and the delay in diagnosis causes additional harm, victims may be entitled to file a medical malpractice claim in addition to their personal injury case.
At Leventhal Puga Braley P.C., we build these medical malpractice cases by:
- Analyzing medical records for deviations from the standard of care
- Consulting leading trauma and ER medicine experts
- Demonstrating how earlier intervention would have prevented the injury
- Calculating long-term damages, including loss of function, earning ability, and quality of life
Why Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. Is the Right Firm for These Cases
Not all injury firms handle cases involving ER negligence or undiagnosed crash injuries. At Leventhal Puga Braley P.C., we have an impressive track record when it comes to litigating cases involving catastrophic injury, medical negligence, and delayed diagnosis.
Our law firm is well-equipped to take on hospitals and insurers who try to avoid responsibility, as we have recovered some of Colorado’s largest medical malpractice verdicts.
Our legal team works with expert medical witnesses to prove important elements of a successful missed diagnosis medical malpractice claim:
- The injury occurred during the crash
- It could have been identified with proper care
- The failure to diagnose caused additional or avoidable harm
What to Do If You Suspect a Hidden Injury
If you or a loved one continues to feel unwell after a car or truck crash, take the following steps:
- Return to the hospital or visit a different facility for re-evaluation
- Keep a detailed journal of your symptoms and how they progress
- Save all medical bills and records
- Do not speak to insurance adjusters without the legal guidance of an attorney
- Contact a law firm with experience in internal injury MVA cases
Speak with an Experienced Colorado Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today
If you suffered harm due to hidden internal injuries after a car accident in Colorado, especially where symptoms were missed or downplayed by ER staff, you deserve justice.
Call Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. at (303) 759-9945 to speak with an attorney who understands the stakes and knows how to win. We offer no-charge initial consultations and represent clients in Denver and across the state in serious personal injury and medical malpractice matters.