5 Types of Internal Injuries From Car Accidents

After a car crash, most people look for visible wounds like cuts, bruises, and broken bones. What you can’t see may be far more dangerous. Below, our experienced Hollister, California auto accident lawyers explain five types of internal injuries from car accidents, how they happen, and what to watch for if you’ve been involved in a collision. For a free consultation, please fill out our online form or call (408) 848-2208 today.

Chest Injuries

The chest absorbs a tremendous amount of force in a collision. Seatbelts, airbags, and the steering wheel protect you, but can also cause internal injuries:

• Broken or fractured ribs. The force of a seatbelt or airbag can cause rib fractures. These injuries are painful and can lead to further issues if the rib punctures a lung or nearby organ.
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung). When a fractured rib punctures the lung, it can collapse, making it difficult to breathe and requiring urgent medical care.
• Cardiac contusion. A hard blow to the chest can bruise the heart muscle. In rare cases, this injury can interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood.

Chest injuries are often tied directly to restraints and airbags. Medical scans and accident evidence help connect the injury to the collision.

Organ Damage

Blunt force trauma from the seatbelt, steering wheel, or another part of the car can damage internal organs. Even with no cuts or open wounds, the force can bruise, tear, or rupture organs inside the body:

• Spleen. Located in the upper left abdomen, the spleen is particularly vulnerable. A rupture can lead to dangerous internal bleeding.
• Liver and kidneys. Both organs filter blood and waste. Injury to either can cause bleeding and severe health complications.
• Intestines. Trauma to the abdomen can tear the intestines, creating the risk of internal bleeding or infection.

Cases involving internal bleeding from car accident injuries may not be obvious at first. Symptoms can appear hours later, and insurers may argue a delay means the crash wasn’t the cause.

Abdominal Injuries

The abdomen is vulnerable in a crash because of the seatbelt’s position and the pressure of impact. The force across the midsection can cause serious internal injuries:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm. The aorta is the body’s largest artery. In a crash, the pressure may cause it to swell or rupture, leading to life-threatening bleeding.
• Mesenteric and bowel injuries. The mesentery, which supports the intestines, and the intestines themselves can tear under compression, creating risks of bleeding and infection.

Abdominal injuries may involve multiple organs at once, which increases the complexity of both treatment and legal claims. Medical records showing overlapping injuries can be key in proving the full scope.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spine is highly susceptible to injury during the violent movement of a car crash. The effects can be permanent when the spinal cord or supporting structures are injured:

• Spinal cord trauma. A direct injury to the cord can lead to nerve impairment or paralysis, depending on the location.
• Herniated discs. The discs between vertebrae can rupture or bulge, pressing on nerves and causing pain, weakness, or numbness.
• Flexion-distraction fracture. Sometimes called a Chance fracture or “seatbelt fracture,” this occurs when the spine bends and pulls apart under seatbelt force, leading to vertebral fractures.

Spinal injuries can reduce mobility and independence. Because these conditions directly affect a person’s ability to work or care for themselves, they are central to claims involving lost wages and long-term care.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A blow to the head or the violent jolt of a collision can injure the brain, even without direct contact. These injuries range in severity but always require careful attention.

• Concussion. A concussion happens when the brain strikes the inside of the skull. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, or memory problems.
• Contusion. A direct impact can bruise brain tissue, leading to swelling and pressure inside the skull.
• Diffuse axonal injury. The rapid shaking of the brain during a crash can stretch and tear nerve fibers, disrupting communication within the brain.

Traumatic brain injuries affect physical health, concentration, memory, and even personality, making daily life and employment harder.

Signs of Internal Injury After a Car Accident

Car accident internal injuries can be deceptive. You might not see cuts or bruises, but damage can still exist beneath the surface. This is why, after a car accident, paying attention to internal bleeding signs is so important, including:

• Pain in the chest, abdomen, back, or neck;
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
• Nausea or vomiting;
• Dizziness or confusion;
• Unexplained bruising or swelling;
• Bleeding from the nose, mouth, or ears; and
• Loss of consciousness.

These symptoms may appear hours later. Insurance companies may argue that a delay means the crash wasn’t the cause, so getting medical care quickly protects your health and claim.

How Car Accident Internal Injuries Can Change Your Future

A ruptured spleen may require surgery and ongoing monitoring long after the crash. Scar tissue can create sharp pain when you bend, lift, or even sit through a workday. Injury to the liver or kidneys can cause internal bleeding and long-term health problems, leaving you with limitations that affect both your health and your ability to earn a living. Your job may also be affected. A delivery driver may no longer tolerate hours behind the wheel. A nurse who spends shifts on their feet might find the pain unbearable. Even office jobs can become difficult if abdominal or spinal injuries make it hard to sit for extended periods. Injuries can also force you to change your daily routines. Lifting a child, carrying groceries, or walking up stairs may become difficult or painful. Aches that make it hard to stay comfortable through the night can also interrupt sleep. The costs go beyond the first hospital bill. Rehabilitation, medications, and time away from work can stretch for years. Insurers usually count only immediate bills, which makes it vital to build a claim that reflects the full impact.

Talk to Gonzalez & Jones, APC, About Your Car Accident Case

For over 45 years, Gonzalez & Jones, APC has helped Californians recover after car accidents. As a family-run firm, we approach every case with the same care we would want for our own family. We build cases that reflect the full impact of internal injuries from car accidents. Our team combines practical support with strong advocacy to help you focus on healing while we handle the legal details. If you or a loved one is dealing with internal injuries from a car accident, call (408) 848-2208 or reach out online today for a free consultation.

About the Author

Learn More About Zoi

Zoi is a Personal Injury Attorney, Partner of her family-owned law practice, Gonzalez & Jones, APC, and Consumer Attorneys of California Member. She is best known as a relentless advocate for her clients. Blending her years of experience, diligent preparation and dedication, and a hands-on, people-first approach, Zoi empowers injured and overwhelmed people to navigate their medical treatment, obtain an optimal settlement, and peacefully move on with their lives after an accident.