Some of the most common types of injuries people sustain in Indiana car accidents are blunt force trauma injuries. And while a blunt force injury can be as simple as a minor bruise, it can also be severe and result in complications, such as head or brain injuries.

Unfortunately, many blunt force trauma injuries, like head injuries, are often undetectable at first without professional medical intervention. For example, a head injury from a car accident might show no outward physical signs, and symptoms are often delayed. But by the time symptoms do appear, it might be too late.

For this reason, it’s important to understand what blunt force trauma is, the kinds of injuries it can cause, and how to recognize the signs and symptoms of these injuries. And even if no symptoms are present, it’s still important to seek out medical attention if your head or any other part of your body sustained blunt force trauma in a car accident.

You never know what could be going on inside your body internally. So it’s always best to seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid any life-threatening complications.

What is Blunt Force Trauma?

Blunt force trauma is another way of saying a non-penetrating trauma sustained from a forceful impact. In other words, it is a type of internal injury that occurs without the skin being broken or penetrated. However, the skin can still be damaged when trauma occurs.

Blunt force trauma can affect nearly any part of the body, including the arms, legs, chest, and abdomen. However, one of the most common areas affected by trauma from car accidents is the head or brain.

Causes of Blunt Force Trauma

Blunt force trauma can happen in any number of situations where a person can suffer from an impact on the body. This includes:

• Falls
• Physical abuse
• Sports
• Recreational activities
• Assault and battery
• Dog attacks
• Bicycle accidents
• Workplace incidents

However, one of the most common causes of blunt force trauma injuries is car accidents. When a collision occurs, the force of impact causes the body to violently jerk or whip around. When this happens, the body can be thrown against the steering wheel, dashboard, window, car door, or any other part of the car, causing a forceful impact and blunt force trauma.

The head is especially susceptible to trauma in these instances because while the rest of the body might be held back by the seat belt, the head and neck are free to move around. As such, the head often whips back and forth, hitting the steering wheel, the window, or the back of the seat.

Common Blunt Force Trauma Car Accident Injuries

Many different parts of the body can sustain a blunt force trauma injury. And the specific type of injury can vary greatly depending on what part of the body was impacted or affected.

Some common injuries include:

• Bruises or contusions
• Abrasions
• Fractured bones
• Blood clots
• Internal bleeding
• Lung injuries
• Broken ribs
• Internal organ damage (spleen, kidney, liver)

Car Accident Brain Injury From Blunt Force Trauma

Aside from the injuries listed above, head injury from a car accident is one of the most common types of blunt force trauma injuries we see when handling personal injury cases. And to be more specific, blunt force trauma to the head usually results in a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

TBIs result from a violent blow or impact to the head, which often happens in car accidents when people hit their heads against the steering wheel or other parts of the car. Unfortunately, these are often the hardest injuries to detect because there are typically no external signs of injury when the brain is damaged, and symptoms can be delayed until it’s too late.

This is why it is so important for accident victims to seek immediate medical attention after they have hit their heads in a car accident. Even if you feel fine, your brain could be bleeding internally or suffering from some other type of damage such as torn tissues, which requires immediate medical attention to prevent complications or death.

While symptoms can be delayed, you should look out for the following as it may indicate a head injury from blunt force trauma:

• Persistent headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Slurred speech
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Memory problem
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood changes
• Trouble sleeping
• Sleeping more than usual

How an Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

When you suffer an injury in a car accident, such as a blunt force trauma injury, you may be entitled to compensation. However, though accident victims might deserve compensation for the damages they have suffered, there is no guarantee that they will be awarded the full and fair compensation they deserve once the case is settled.

Insurance companies, for example, are notorious for undervaluing personal injury claims. They will often do whatever they can to get out of paying high settlements to accident victims. However, when you work with a personal injury attorney, this is less likely to happen. 

A personal injury attorney can protect your rights and help gather evidence to build a strong case so there is no room for the insurance to argue against what you are owed. Your attorney can also handle any other negotiations with other parties involved to ensure everyone agrees on a fair settlement amount.

All in all, working with a personal injury lawyer means your case will likely be resolved more efficiently and more quickly, so you can get back to focusing on your life and recovering from your injuries.

Consult With an Indianapolis Brain Injury Lawyer

If you sustain a head injury in an accident, our compassionate and experienced team of personal injury attorneys can help. At Poynter & Bucheri, we understand  how challenging it can be to navigate the claims process while dealing with an injury and we are prepared to do what we can to ensure our clients are fully and fairly compensated for their losses.

Don’t hesitate — an experienced Indiana car accident lawyer can assist you right away. Call 1-800-265-9881 for a free case review.