Car accidents frequently cause serious injuries to drivers and passengers. One area of the body that’s especially susceptible to damage is the abdominal region, which includes the spleen. A ruptured spleen from a car accident happens more than you think and can be very serious.

If you suspect that you’ve suffered from a ruptured spleen, you need to seek medical attention immediately. In this blog, we discuss the signs and symptoms of a ruptured spleen, ruptured spleen treatment, and what compensation you can recover.

How Does a Spleen in a Car Accident?

Spleen injuries occur when the abdomen experiences physical trauma. The spleen resides in the upper left area of the abdomen and is protected by the ribcage. If you experience trauma to your abdomen, you may suffer from a spleen injury. Additionally, if you break a rib, the rib may puncture your spleen, causing a rupture. 

People often experience significant physical trauma to the abdomen during car accidents, and the impact on the abdominal region can cause your spleen to rupture. 

Spleen Injuries in Car Accidents

75% of all spleen injuries occur from car accidents, but not all spleen injuries are ruptures. There are three types of spleen injuries:

• Bruised spleen: Bruised spleens are relatively mild and mainly require rest, but you will need to undergo doctor supervision to ensure that you haven’t experienced tears in the spleen. 

• Enlarged spleen: Experiencing significant force to the spleen can cause it to swell, resulting in the spleen covering becoming thinner. When a spleen swells, it becomes more susceptible to rupturing. Fortunately, the spleen will usually stop swelling on its own after you rest, but you should have a doctor monitor an enlarged spleen. 

• Ruptured spleen: Spleen ruptures are highly dangerous and can be fatal if they’re left untreated. These ruptures can cause internal bleeding, and those with spleen ruptures often require blood transfusions. Medical professionals frequently remove damaged spleens.

Delayed Splenic Ruptures

Many people suffer splenic ruptures during car accidents, but collisions may also cause a delayed splenic rupture. This means that the rupture doesn’t occur until days, weeks, or even months after the trauma to the abdomen. There have even been cases when a person’s spleen didn’t rupture until four months after they experienced physical trauma to their abdominal region. 

Because car accidents can result in delayed splenic ruptures, you need to receive medical attention after your wreck, even if you don’t have apparent injuries. Doctors can check for common car accident injuries, and they can use imaging technology to evaluate whether you’re at risk for a spleen rupture.

Symptoms of a Ruptured Spleen

If your spleen ruptures, you’ll likely experience a great deal of pain on the left side of your abdomen, and you may even suffer discomfort in other areas of your body, such as your left shoulder. Some additional ruptured spleen symptoms include:

• Confusion
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Anxiety
• Drop in blood pressure
• Tender abdomen
• Restlessness
• Fainting
• Vomiting
• Appearing pale

Treating a Ruptured Spleen

If you suspect that you’ve suffered a spleen injury, you need to seek immediate medical attention. The mortality rate for ruptured spleens is 1%, but those with a delayed diagnosis have a 10% mortality rate, so delaying treatment can have fatal consequences. 

The majority of ruptured spleen cases require splenectomies, which is the removal of the spleen. In less severe cases, surgeons can repair tears rather than remove the spleen. 

After surgery, doctors continue monitoring patients with CT scans, and patients may also require additional blood transfusions after surgery.

What Compensation Can I Recover For a Ruptured Spleen? 

Suffering from a ruptured spleen in a car accident will require pricey medical expenses and time away from work, so you need to seek compensation if another driver was at fault. 

The amount that you can recover for your ruptured spleen will depend on the specific circumstances of your case and whether you can prove that the other driver was at fault. You may be able to recover compensation for:

• Property damage
• Medical bills, including surgeries, prescriptions, and other expenses related to your injuries 
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish

If you suffer from a ruptured spleen or another car accident injury, you need to hire a personal injury lawyer to assist you with your case. A seasoned attorney will help you gather evidence to prove your claim, and they will present your case effectively so that you can maximize the amount you’ll receive for your injuries.
For expert legal assistance in Indianapolis, contact the Indianapolis car accident lawyers at Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery Attorneys at Law.