What Abdominal Damage Can Car Accidents Cause? When we are in a car, there is some protection offered by the vehicle itself. Unlike a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist, drivers of (and passengers in) sedans or trucks are surrounded by thick, hard metal that may offer some shielding against an object or other vehicle that it crashes into. While it can provide that protection during minor crashes, in more severe accidents, the car itself can become a dangerous weapon surrounding you. The steering wheel can become a battering ram, and the seatbelt – which is specifically meant to keep you from harm – can cause severe injuries to your abdomen and internal organs. This part of your body is extremely prone to injury as it does not have much protection like the ribs that surround your heart and lungs.

While someone can suffer all types of injuries when in a car accident, one of the most vulnerable areas of the body is the abdomen and its internal organs. Abdominal injuries can come in two classifications: blunt force trauma (where an object hits the body and causes damage) and penetrating trauma (where an object enters the body and causes damage). In an auto accident, it is more likely that you will suffer from blunt force trauma, but penetrating trauma is not impossible.

Some of the most common injuries that can happen to this area include:

  • Seatbelt sign/Seatbelt syndrome. This is a common injury which often occurs when a seatbelt is used incorrectly, but can happen even when the seat belt is used as it should be. Seatbelt sign is the appearance of bruises that come from a seatbelt caused by a crash, and seatbelt syndrome is the same thing, but including internal injuries. Seatbelt sign may indicate seatbelt syndrome.
  • Mesentery damage. The mesentery is a “fold of membrane that attaches the intestine to the abdominal wall and holds it in place,” as defined by the Mayo Clinic. Damage to this area can often be fatal if not detected quickly enough. Symptoms of mesentery damage include stomach pain, but can sometimes be undetectable except through MRIs and X-rays. If you think you have sustained injury to this area, seek immediate medical attention.
  • Bucket handle mesenteric injury. This injury occurs often due to seatbelt syndrome, and is when the mesenteric portion of the bowl is torn away. Detection can be difficult, so an CT scan is critical in detecting this injury. Without proper treatment, the injury can complicate and worsen, causing “bowel necrosis, perforation, pneumoperitoneum, peritonitis, and sepsis.”
  • Bowel perforation and tearing. Similar to mesenteric injuries, bowel injuries often need detection through CT scans. Again, these are often caused by seatbelt syndrome. If you suffered seatbelt sign or syndrome, you should be sure to have your bowels and mesentery examined.
  • Liver damage. Injury to your liver which can occur during a car accident can cause complications such as a hematoma (where a blood vessel on the organ is ruptured and blood collects around the liver), and loss of blood to the liver – causing atrophy and loss of function. If your liver is punctured or lacerated, blood loss may be extreme, which can prove to be fatal or cause permanent damage.
  • Kidney damage. While your kidneys can be protected by your back and rib cage, they can often be damaged in a car accident. An indicator that your kidney/s has been damaged is blood in your urine, or bruises to your back where your kidneys rest. Sometimes, there are no obvious symptoms, and the injury may only be detectable through a dipstick urine test or CT scan. Lesser kidney damage may be treated without surgery, but more severe injuries may require surgery.
  • Vascular injuries. These are some of the most serious injuries that can be done to the abdomen. Seatbelts can cause blunt damage to the aorta (called the seatbelt aorta) in your abdomen if the accident is a serious one. These injuries need immediate attention as the victim is subject to death from blood loss.

It is critically important that if you believe that you have suffered from any sort of abdominal injury due to your car accident that you seek medical attention immediately. These injuries, even if you do not have symptoms, can be extremely dangerous and even fatal.

Physical injuries will not be the only stress that comes from an accident caused by someone else’s neglect. Treatment, such as the surgery or surgeries that you are likely to need, are expensive. Having such an injury as these can also take you out of work, impacting your income and your quality of life. This is why it is critical that you get yourself a Knoxville car accident attorney as soon as possible.

With how serious these injuries are, and the type of treatment they require, it is critical that you do not allow yourself to pay for the pain and suffering that someone else’s neglect caused you. Abdominal injuries such as these can change your life forever, or it can take a loved one away from you forever. Whether you suffered an injury or a loss of life, you need a car accident attorney to ensure that you are compensated for not only damages, but your injuries, your treatment, and any financial cost caused by your injuries. We at Banks & Jones are here to fight for you when injuries take you out and kick you when you’re down; and we Fight 2 Win. To speak with an aggressive Knoxville car accident lawyer at our firm, call 865-546-2141 or fill out our contact form.