Automobile accidents are a common cause of physical injuries in the United States. Among the wide range of injuries, a common car accident injury is the hematoma, a collection of blood outside of blood vessels. While some accident injuries such as broken bones or spinal cord injuries are apparent right away, soft tissue injuries like hematoma injuries can be hidden injuries that take hours or days to show symptoms.
What is a Hematoma?
A hematoma is a type of injury where blood pools under the skin or within the soft tissues, caused by the rupture of blood vessels. It’s more than a simple bruise,it’s a serious injury that may involve internal organ damage, damage to muscles, and nerve damage. Hematomas may affect soft tissues, internal organs, or even the brain, leading to traumatic brain injuries or permanent brain damage.
This common injury may occur in the subdural space, abdomen, limbs, or head, resulting in intracranial bleeding, loss of consciousness, cognitive impairment, memory loss, or even fatal brain injury. That’s why medical treatment by a medical professional or accident doctors is critical.
How Car Accidents Cause Hematomas
A motor vehicle accident causes blunt force trauma, often due to a forceful impact like a frontal collision, rear-end collisions, or motor vehicle crash. The initial impact can cause the steering wheel, dashboard, or seatbelt to apply pressure to the body, damaging internal organs, blood flow, and blood pressure, leading to a collection of blood beneath the skin.
Frequent traumatic events causing hematomas include:
- Head hitting the steering wheel
- Seatbelt-caused chest pain
- Flying objects causing neck injuries
- Direct trauma to the thigh bone, arms, or abdominal cavity
Types of Hematomas in Car Accidents
Common types of hematoma occurs due to motor vehicle crashes include:
- Subdural hematomas – blood between the brain and skull. It’s a dangerous head injury and a type of brain injury that raises intracranial pressure.
- Epidural hematoma – similar, often related to closed head injuries and brain hematomas.
- Intramuscular hematoma – within muscle, leading to limited range of motion and physical symptoms like shoulder pain.
- Subcutaneous hematoma – under the skin, but could still indicate internal bleeding or internal injury.
- Abdominal hematoma – caused by abdominal pain, swelling, and potential organ damage.
Symptoms to Watch After a Crash
Always monitor injury symptoms after automobile accidents. Symptoms might include:
- Persistent headache
- Neck pain or leg injury
- Blurry vision
- Loss of mobility
- Common symptoms like swelling, Chronic pain, or soft tissue damage
- Symptoms days after a crash like nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
Such injury mechanism may indicate a more severe problem requiring a treatment plan.
Diagnosing Hematomas
A healthcare provider will use physical examination, CT scans, or MRI to confirm the hematoma and check for brain atrophy or axonal injury. X-rays may also be required to rule out bone fractures or spinal cord trauma.
Treatment Options for Hematomas
Treatment options vary:
- Use ice packs
- Get rest
- Monitor blood loss and swelling
- For severe hematomas, surgery might be needed to drain accumulation of blood
A medical doctor may monitor for neurological deficits and start the recovery process.
Recovery Time & Long-Term Effects
Hematomas can cause:
- Chronic pain
- Cognitive impairment
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental injuries
- Permanent brain damage
- Even successful recovery may require weeks of rehabilitation
These severe injuries may cause lifelong disability or limitations.
Legal Options After a Hematoma in South Carolina
If your hematoma was caused by someone else’s negligence, legal advice from accident lawyers or personal injury lawyer is critical. In South Carolina, accident attorneys help file an insurance claim for:
- Medical treatment
- Long-term care for traumatic brain injuries
- Loss of income
- Pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma
- Internal bleeding, brain injury severity, or nerve damage
- Long-term spinal cord or soft tissue injuries
Proving Your Injury Claim
To prove liability:
- Collect police reports
- Provide medical records
- Capture injury photos
- Get expert opinions
- Show lost wages and insurance company responses
Conclusion
A hematoma isn’t just a bad bruise,it can be a serious physical injury resulting in brain trauma, internal organ damage, or permanent impairment. Whether you’re facing minor injuries or a severe trauma, don’t ignore injury volume or delays in symptoms.
Contact Ted Law Firm
At Ted Law Firm, we help grieving families navigate their legal options after a fatal car crash. We proudly serve injury victims in Aiken, Anderson, Myrtle Beach, North Augusta, Orangeburg, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and Summerville. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s reckless or criminal behavior, our experienced attorneys are here to help you seek justice and recover the compensation you deserve. Let Ted Law Firm help you file a successful claim for emotional damages. Contact Ted Law Firm today for a free consultation. We’re committed to supporting families in their time of need.
Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.
