A contusion is the medical term for a bruise, which is a common type of injury that occurs from car accidents. They can show up wherever the body makes contact with the seatbelt, airbag, or interior of the vehicle. Most are minor and heal on their own. Sometimes, though, bruises can be more serious.
Get in contact with a motor vehicle accident lawyer in St. Louis to pursue financial compensation.
Call us at (314) 300-6260 today.
When a Contusion Is More Than a Bruise
Deeper contusions can involve muscle and bone, not just skin. A deep muscle contusion can cause significant swelling and stiffness, and a bone contusion (a bruise of the bone itself) can hurt for months. More serious are contusions of the organs:
- Pulmonary contusion: A bruised lung, which can interfere with breathing and may worsen over the first day or two after the crash.
- Myocardial contusion: A bruised heart muscle, usually from steering wheel or seatbelt force, which can affect heart rhythm.
- Brain contusion: A bruise on the brain itself, which is a traumatic brain injury and can occur even without hitting your head.
- Abdominal organ contusions: The spleen, liver, and kidneys can all be bruised by blunt force, sometimes with delayed internal bleeding.
If you experience trouble breathing, worsening pain, dizziness or confusion, abdominal pain or swelling, or blood in the urine, it’s a good idea to get back to the doctor as soon as possible.
Photograph Your Bruises
It’s important to photograph your bruises as you see them coming out because they’re visible but can fade quickly. A deep bruise that took weeks to fade will have completely disappeared by the time your claim is being negotiated months later.
That makes photos some of the best evidence you can preserve. Take pictures of all visible bruising as soon as you can after the crash, and keep taking them every few days as the bruising develops and changes.
How a Lawyer Can Help After a Contusion Injury
Insurance adjusters like to use words like “just bruising” to describe contusion injuries, even when the reality is a little bit more serious than that. A car accident lawyer can push back on that. They can:
Build the Medical Side of Your Claim
A St. Louis injury lawyer gathers the records, imaging, and photos that document your injuries, and connects the bruising to the other injuries it came with. Instead of the claim being about “some bruises,” it becomes about everything you experienced from the crash.
Build the Medical Side of Your Claim
A lawyer gathers the records, imaging, and photos that document your injuries, and connects the bruising to the other injuries it came with. Instead of the claim being about “some bruises,” it becomes about all of the injuries and losses experienced in the crash.
Make Sure Nothing Gets Left Out of The Claim
A lawyer makes sure the claim includes costs for follow-up appointments, missed work, and emotional injuries, not just the initial ER visit and the first few medical bills.
Deal With the Insurance Company for You
Recorded statements, requests for your complete medical history, and quick settlement offers from the insurance company are all designed to reduce your payout. Your lawyer handles those conversations, so a casual comment or an early signature doesn’t cost you money later.
If you were injured in a crash and the insurance company is treating your injuries as minor, it’s worth talking to a car accident attorney before you do anything else.
Call our team today at (314) 300-6260 to schedule your free case evaluation.