Can Bruising from Car Accident Injuries Result in Greater Compensation?

Key Points:

• Bruising can signal more severe injuries – it if very often more than “just a bruise”
• Even when injuries seem small or insignificant, it’s important to get a medical evaluation to rule out more serious injuries
• Serious consequences that can last a lifetime are possible for at-risk groups including the elderly, the very young, and those with certain medical conditions.
• It’s important to document all injuries including bruising after an accident in order to preserve your legal rights

Table of Contents

Bruises from Car Accidents are Very Common

Following a car accident, victims commonly experience bruising. Because this can be a signal that there is a serious underlying problem, however, bruising shouldn’t be ignored. Even  if you imagine the bruising is “nothing” it’s a good idea to let a physician look you over to rule out internal injuries.

You may hear the words “bruising” and “hematoma” used interchangeably, but they refer to two different situations.

A bruise is correctly used to describe when blood pools under the skin as the result of the breakage of small blood vessels. Bruising can be caused by a fall or some blunt impact to the flesh. They are usually flat and are sensitive to the touch. As they heal, they often change color, starting red or purple then becoming green or yellow as they heal and fade away.

A hematoma, on the other hand, is a larger, deeper pool of blood that develops when larger blood vessels are broken. The causes of hematomas and bruising are the same – trauma to the body – but can also be seen in certain medical conditions like blood clotting disorders.

Unlike common bruising, hematomas are raised, appearing puffier and are quite painful. They urgently require medical attention.

Of course, the severity of the bruising you experience will reflect the force of the impact and depend upon the location of the injury. We strongly urge our clients to seek a medical opinion to be certain that the bruising is not dangerous.

Bruising can often point to internal injuries, organ damage, or damage to muscles. A bruised abdomen, for example, can indicate internal bleeding. Bruising on the face or forehead could signal a head injury. A black eye could indicate that  you have a fracture or concussion. Bruising on the neck and shoulders could mean you have suffered a whiplash injury. Safeguarding your health by seeing a doctor is a wise decision.

The Life Cycle of a Bruise

It sometimes takes a bruise a day or two to develop, but when they do, they usually start out as red or purple shadows under the skin. In time they gradually become darker and, as the body begins to heal the bruising the color changes from purple or red to yellow or even green.

The amount of time it takes for a bruise to develop and heal can vary depending on a number of factors, including the severity of the injury, the location of the bruise, as well as the person’s age and health. Here is an approximate timeline:

• Days 1 and 2: The bruised area appears as red or purple coloring under the skin. The red coloring reflects the fact that the blood is still full of oxygen
• Days 3 – 5: The bruised area begins to turn blue or green as the blood under the skin begins to lose oxygen. At this point the name for the pool of blood is bilirubin.
• Days 5 – 7: The bruised area changes gradually to yellow or brown as the bilirubin is being broken down and removed from the body.
• Days 10 – 14: The bruise gradually fades away.

It’s safe to say that bruises caused by bumps or scrapes will heal more quickly that those caused by more severe trauma  such as might be associated with a fall or a car accident. Also, bruises that happen on places that have thinner skin, like the face, will heal faster than those that happen in places where the skin is thicker.

Other factors that may affect the way bruises develop and heal include the age of the victim and his/her overall health. Conditions such as diabetes and obesity can slow down the process of healing. If your bruising is not healing or continues to be painful, you should see a doctor to check for underlying medical conditions.

What Causes Bruising in Car Accidents?

As previously stated, bruising is usually caused by trauma.

Direct Impact: When your body collides violently with another object like the dashboard, steering wheel or even the seat-belt, it can cause bruising.

Violent Movement: Even if your body does not come into direct contact with another object, forceful movement, such as being thrown from your seat or hitting your head against the car’s window can also cause bruising.

Seat Belt Injuries: Even though seatbelts are generally known to protect us in accidents, they can also cause bruising in a violent crash. The pressure of the device can sometimes lead to internal injuries including organ damage and internal bleeding.

Airbag Deployment: Another device meant to protect us that can sometimes cause injury is the airbag. When the device deploys, it does so very forcefully so that if you are not wearing a seatbelt or are sitting too close to the airbag, you may be subject to bruising.

Internal Injuries: Bruising can be a sign that internal injuries have occurred. Injuries such as liver or spleen rupture or tearing can cause blood to lead into the abdominal or chest tissue developing into visible bruising.

Where Do Your Bruises Appear?

Where bruises develop can help us to know what kind of injuries are likely. Bruising on the chest, back, or abdomen can signal injuries to internal injuries. Bruises on the face or head can make doctors suspect concussion or other head injuries.

If you experience bruising after a car accident, it’s always a good idea to see a doctor. A physician can rule out more serious injury and advise you about speeding up the healing process.

Bruises that appear on the head, neck or face should be watched carefully especially if other symptoms like vision changes, nausea, headaches, or excessive sleepiness are present.

If your bruises become worse or a bruised area expands or doesn’t get better after a car accident, it may be a sign of a more serious injury. A bruise that expands can mean that the bleeding under the skin is continuing signaling a more serious problem.

There are several reasons why a bruise might expand or not heal after a car accident. It could mean you have developed an infection or a blood clot. A bruise that doesn’t heal could also indicate an underlying medical condition that needs to be addressed.

Treatment of Bruises Following an Accident

Remember, only a trained medical professional has the tools to fully understand what your bruising might mean. Your doctor may determine that you have no serious, underlying injuries, but his or her evaluation is important.

The treatment for bruises after a car accident will vary depending on the severity of the bruise, its location, and the person’s overall health.  With your doctor’s instructions, many minor bruises can be treated at home using the following methods:

R.I.C.E.: This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. This treatment protocol is commonly suggested as a way to treat minor injuries. By following this treatment you can protect the area from further injury by resting it, using ice to minimize pain and swelling. Applying compression in the form of an elastic bandage can also reduce swelling as can Elevation, which involves keeping the injured area above the heart, can minimize swelling and reduce inflammation and pain.

You may use over-the-counter pain medication like tylenol. Your doctor may prescribe a stronger pain treatment or suggest physical therapy.

Some other suggestions for treating bruises following a car accident include keeping the bruised area clean and dry in order to minimize the risk of infection or other complication.

How Can Bruising Result in a Larger Car Accident Settlement

The more severe your bruising is, the more serious your injuries may be. If you are making a claim for damages, it’s important to document injuries, including bruising, with a visit to your doctor. More severe injuries such as internal bleeding or organ damage like liver laceration, or a ruptured spleen will mean that you may have higher costs leading to a larger claim and a bigger settlement.

The size of your settlement may also be dependent upon the location of your bruising, the length of time it takes to heal, the degree by which the injury impacts  your daily life, and, of course, the total amount of your medical expenses which include covered costs like doctor’s visits, medications, or physical therapy.

Understanding your rights as the victim of another driver’s negligence is critically important. We recommend contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you fully understand your options and your possible compensation.

Can Bruises from a Car Accident Change a Person’s Life

In some cases, the bruising caused by an accident may be minor and heal quickly with no lasting effects. Nevertheless, in many cases the b cruising can be just a symptom of larger problems that may lead to long-term medical needs for problems like chronic pain, psychological trauma and mobility issues.

Here are some of the ways in which a car accident victim’s life can be changed following an accident where bruising occurs:

Physical Limitations: Bruising can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness, which can limit a person’s ability to move around and perform everyday activities like going to work or school, or participating in your hobbies or favorite activities.

Financial Hardships: The costs associated with a car accident can become horribly burdensome. Not only are there lost wages, medical costs, and perhaps even the inability to work in the future, there is also the stress and anxiety associated with such challenges.

Emotional Trauma: Experiencing a car accident can be traumatic at the time of the event, but also long afterward. Automobile accident survivors often experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, also called PTSD, and other mental health challenges. These very real problems can make coping with every-day life difficult and may also require professional care.

Legal Action: If the accident and your resulting injuries were caused by the negligence of the other driver, you may need to file legal action to recover what you’ve lost. Gaining compensation for your injuries can be complex and take a great deal of time. This can also increase stress and anxiety levels.

Take Steps to Protect Your Legal Rights Following an Accident

Preserving your legal rights in the wake of an accident is critically important. Such evidence can be used to support your claim for compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Here are a few steps to help you protect yourself and your family.

Take Photos: If you are able to take photos of the accident scene immediately following the accident, it can be very helpful. These will provide clear evidence of the scene, which will almost always be cleaned up soon after the accident.

Also important is imagery that demonstrates your injuries. Your body and the damages done to it will heal in time. It’s a good idea to have pictures of what the injuries looked like before that healing takes place.

Seek Medical Help: See a doctor as soon as you can following your accident. Even if you think you’re fine, remember that some injuries are not immediately visible. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. The doctor’s records may be used later if you must file legal action to gain compensation.

Get Witness Statements: At minimum, it’s important that you obtain contact information for anybody who witnessed the accident. If you are injured, or taken to the hospital, you may also get this information from responding law enforcement officers.

Write it Down: As soon as possible after the accident, it’s important that you take the time to write down precisely how the accident happened. Your memory is likely to fade after the accident, so that details may be lost if you have not written it down carefully.

Document Your Treatment and Symptoms: Keeping a journal of your day to day symptoms and healing process will prove valuable if you must fight for your compensation. Write down all the details including the time, dates, and level of pain you experience.

Preserve the Evidence: You should keep the physical evidence related to the accident as possible. You may be asked later to deliver things like the seatbelt you were wearing, the airbag, and your blood-stained clothing to your lawyer for use in pursuing your claim.

The evidence of your bruising will fade over time as may your memory. It’s very important to document everything in order to preserve items that can help you regain what’s been lost because of the negligence of others.

As you recover from your injuries, don’t make the assumption that the bruising you experienced was not important. Bruising is an important and possibly dangerous condition that must be taken seriously.