Kentucky Bruise Injury Attorneys

Many people assume that bruises are never serious. Everybody gets minor bruises from time to time.

But the kinds of bruises that a person can sustain after a car, truck, or motorcycle accident can be quite serious indeed. Not all bruises are mere shiners. Even a slip-and-fall accident can cause major contusions which need swift medical care.

A bruise occurs when small veins and capillaries get damaged beneath the surface of your skin. Damaged blood cells then begin to collect in the area. More serious bruises can lead to pooling blood in places where that blood can become dangerous.

Is a bruise a serious injury?

They can be. Bruises are especially serious when they’re located in the head, face, or abdomen. Bruises can also be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a concussion or a broken bone. Hematomas are a form of bruising where blood pools outside the blood vessel, which can be dangerous.

Symptoms of serious bruising include:

• Abnormal bleeding in the gums
• Blood in urine or stools
• Nosebleeds
• Numbness or weakness
• Swelling
• Loss of function in the bruised area
• Lumps under the bruise
• Blurred vision
• Fevers
• Rapid pulse
• Pale skin
• Shallow breathing
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Confusion

If you aren’t sure whether or not the bruising is serious, head to your doctor and get checked out. If you’ve been in a car accident it's always wise to assume that any injury could be more dangerous than it initially appears.

What is internal bruising?

Internal bruising happens when blood vessels break in your organs, or in the muscles of  your legs and back. These deep bruises can become dangerous when blood pools in the wrong places.

Even bones can bruise! Bruised bones can offer symptoms similar to a break or a fracture, save that bone bruising won't show up on an X-ray.

When should you worry about bruising after a car accident?

You should worry if you’re experiencing swelling or intense pain.

You should also worry if the bruise doesn’t improve within two weeks, or fails to clear up completely after one month.

Can bruises show up a week after an accident?

Bruises usually show up about one to two days after an accident. It’s possible they did, and you just didn’t notice them. After about a week bruises would already start to change to a yellow or green shade.

If a bruise truly does show up a week after an injury, then you could be suffering from a blood clot. Go to the emergency room right away.

Treating Bruises

Most bruises can be treated with rest and over-the-counter pain killer. Bruises may need X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds. They may need initial emergency room care. You may need more specialized care if a hematoma has turned dangerous, but it depends on which organs are suffering and how deep the damage goes.

Be sure to save all of your medical bills from any bruising you may sustain. This can help us get the full amount of compensation for your health care costs.