According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), in the year 2020, there were 4,094 fatalities and injuries caused by car accidents. The number is staggering, considering the statistic only accounts for those that occurred in San Diego. The injuries associated with car accidents are often severe, but what happens when you survive a car accident with only scratches and a little bruising? You may think it is nothing to worry about; however, bruises can signify serious trauma.
When is bruising serious?
Bruises are common, and often they are harmless. They eventually heal without any medical intervention. But bruises from a car accident can be significantly different because the impact may have been much stronger than you initially realized. Adrenaline can mask pain in moments of extreme excitement or anxiety. It is your body’s natural response to stress.
Watch out for these signs that come with bruising, as the injury can worsen exponentially:
- Numbness in any of your extremities
- Swelling or aggravating pain
- Nausea, fatigue or vomiting
- Migraines and sensitivity to light
- Vision impairment
- Blood in your urine
- Head or neck trauma
- Fever
- Heart palpitations or abnormal heart rate
- Lumps under the bruised area
Unexplained bruising in your abdomen can be a sign that the trauma from the car accident affected your internal organs, such as your liver or spleen. Bone bruising also causes blood and fluid build-up, which can impede blood flow to certain parts of your body, causing the bone to die.
Seek medical attention after the car accident
The first thing you should do right after a car accident is to check if you feel any pain or dizziness. Even if you do not believe you sustained any injuries, it is better to be sure. Schedule a checkup with a health care provider as soon as you can.