Internal injuries are among the most serious injuries a person can suffer. The symptoms are not always immediately apparent, which can lead to life-threatening complications if the accident victim does not seek prompt medical treatment.
If you have been diagnosed with internal injuries in an accident, contact Bayuk Pratt for a free consultation with a Georgia personal injury attorney. Our law firm has recovered over $300 million for our clients, including those who suffered internal injuries due to car accidents, defective products, and medical malpractice. Seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney today.
What Are the Types of Georgia Accidents That Can Cause Internal Injuries?
Many serious accidents can result in internal injuries. Some of the most common accidents in which victims suffer from these types of injuries are:
- Motor vehicle accidents — The violent impacts involved in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents can cause concussions, more severe traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and internal organ punctures. If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you should seek legal guidance.
- Pedestrian accidents — People on foot crossing the street or walking beside the road are vulnerable to life-threatening internal injuries if struck by a car or other motor vehicle.
- Slip-and-fall accidents — Depending on how you land after a fall, you may suffer broken bones, whiplash, and internal injuries in a slip-and-fall accident. Older adults often have balance issues and are at greater risk of injuries in these accidents.
- Medical malpractice — Medical negligence can cause internal injuries in various ways, from improper surgeries to nicked organs to surgical tools such as sponges and clamps being left inside the body.
- Defective products — Product defects such as malfunctioning airbags and faulty seat belts can contribute to internal injuries.
- Construction accidents — Construction workers and others who work with heavy machinery are at risk of crushing injuries caused by heavy machinery.
What Are Examples of Internal Injuries Caused by Accidents?
Internal bleeding due to traumatic incidents such as car accidents and workplace accidents can be life-threatening if the bleeding is uncontrolled. Bleeding can occur in the brain, abdomen, and other areas of the body, depending on the point of impact.
Some internal injuries involve ruptured organs or organ punctures caused by broken bones. These injuries require immediate medical attention. A blow to the head in a motor vehicle accident can cause brain bleeding and swelling. If you are thrown off a motorcycle, it can cause spinal cord injuries. A ruptured spleen can lead to life-threatening blood loss. Damage to the liver or kidneys can have severe long-term consequences, and punctured lungs may lead to respiratory distress.
If you or a loved one has suffered internal injuries caused by someone else’s carelessness, you need to talk to an Atlanta personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
What Are the Symptoms of Internal Injuries?
Some internal injury symptoms don’t appear right away, leading injury victims to believe initially that they are unharmed. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms in the hours, days, or weeks after an accident, seek medical attention:
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Deep bruising or skin discoloration
- Nausea or vomiting (especially with blood)
- Shortness of breath.
Additionally, the following symptoms may indicate a traumatic brain injury that requires immediate medical care:
- Dizziness
- Confusion or difficulty speaking or breathing
- Weakness or numbness in the limbs
- Severe headaches
- Loss of consciousness.
Can Internal Injuries Be Treated?
Depending on the severity of your internal injury, the treatment options range from observation and rest to emergency surgery. If you have organ damage, surgery may be necessary to stop the hemorrhaging and prevent organ failure. If you have significant internal bleeding, you may need a blood transfusion. You may need rehabilitation and physical therapy to regain mobility.
How Do You Prove Who Is at Fault for the Accident That Caused the Internal Injuries?
A skilled personal injury attorney at Bayuk Pratt can help you gather your medical records, copies of medical bills, and any accident reports available to show that the actions of the at-fault party caused your injuries. The types of evidence used in most personal injury cases include the following:
- Medical records detailing your injuries
- Witness statements that corroborate your version of events
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage showing the accident
- Testimony from accident reconstruction professionals or medical professionals.
What Damages Can Be Recovered from a Georgia Internal Injuries Claim?
Through a Georgia internal injuries lawsuit, you can seek fair compensation for the following losses you experienced:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Physical pain, emotional suffering, and other non-economic damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability.
What If Someone Dies as a Result of Their Internal Injuries?
If your loved one died as a result of their internal injuries, you may seek the following types of compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship and consortium for the surviving spouse
- Emotional support the deceased would have provided
- The full value of the life of the deceased.
Your loved one’s estate may seek additional compensation through a survival action, which is a personal injury lawsuit that survives the injured party who died due to their injuries.
Don’t try to deal with an insurance company on your own if you have lost a loved one in a preventable accident. Seek experienced legal representation to pursue a wrongful death claim.
What If I Am Partially Responsible for the Accident That Caused My Injuries?
If you are partially responsible for the accident that caused your injuries, Georgia’s modified comparative negligence statute may impact the compensation you can recover through the legal process.
Under Ga. Code § 51-12-33(a), a plaintiff’s losses in a personal injury lawsuit will be reduced by their degree of fault. For example, if a jury finds that you were 15 percent at fault for a car accident, then any compensation the court awarded you would be reduced proportionately. Additionally, Ga. Code § 51-12-33(g) states that plaintiffs cannot recover compensation for injuries if they are more than 50 percent at fault.
You should work with an experienced Georgia internal injury lawyer who can seek to minimize your degree of fault for the accident and maximize your compensation.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing an Internal Injury Lawsuit in Georgia?
Under Ga. Code § 9-3-33 gives accident victims two years to file lawsuits against the parties at fault for their injuries. If you fail to file your lawsuit within the time allowed, you may lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you file your lawsuit within the time limit.
Contact a Georgia Internal Injury Lawyer
If you suffered an internal injury, you may have a right to pursue a personal injury claim. Contact Bayuk Pratt in Atlanta, GA, for a free consultation with an Atlanta personal injury attorney. Our dedicated legal team has over 50 years of combined legal experience handling car accidents and other personal injury claims. We have recovered more than $300 million for our clients through personal injury, wrongful death, and civil litigation cases.
We understand personal injury law and have extensive experience with personal injury litigation against insurance giants. We have insider knowledge of how insurance adjusters and insurance companies respond to claims because our founding partners previously served as senior partners for two of the world’s largest insurance defense law firms. Take the first step toward pursuing an Atlanta personal injury claim and seeking the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Call us today.