Blunt Force Trauma From a Car Accident: What to Do Next

If you’re dealing with blunt force trauma from a car accident, you’re likely in a lot of pain. Maybe the pain started in your chest from the pressure of the seat belt or in your head from hitting the window. Injuries like these can be serious – even deadly. Knowing what to do next is critical to your health and safety.

HawkLaw P.A. has helped people across South Carolina pick up the pieces after devastating crashes. If you’ve suffered blunt force trauma in a wreck, we’re here to help you through the next steps.

What Is Blunt Force Trauma?

Blunt force trauma is an injury caused by a blow from an object. Unlike with a penetrating trauma, the object does not break the skin. However, the impact can cause serious damage under the surface.

What Should You Do if You Suffered Blunt Force Trauma Injuries in a Wreck?

If you suffered blunt force trauma injuries following an accident, you should seek medical attention and care. But that’s not all – there are other steps you should take to help protect yourself, your future, and your potential injury claim.

In the First 24 Hours

Your adrenaline will be sky-high after the accident. That doesn’t mean you’re okay. Some of the most dangerous injuries don’t show up right away. Even if you feel fine, get checked out at the ER or an urgent care clinic. Tell the doctor exactly what happened, and tell them where you hurt. Get any imaging scans or tests they recommend.

Next, document everything. Take pictures of your visible injuries. If you were able to take photos at the scene, make a backup copy. The same goes for contact info from anyone who saw the accident.

Starting with the first day, keep a journal of your pain and other symptoms and how they progress. These details can make a huge difference if you end up filing a claim.

Within the First Two Weeks

Attend all of your follow-up medical visits. It might be tempting to lose focus on your medical care, especially if you start to feel better, but don’t. If you’re referred to a specialist, make an appointment. Follow through with any physical therapy your doctors recommend.

Blunt force trauma from a car accident can cause hidden injuries that never fully heal. These can get worse in a hurry without the right treatment. By keeping all of your appointments, you can prevent complications and show insurers that you are doing your part to protect your health.

This is also a good time to speak with one of our car accident lawyers. Don’t wait until an insurance company denies your claim or sends you a lowball settlement offer. The sooner you get legal help, the more options you have.

In the Following Weeks and Months

Continue to keep track of everything — medications, doctor’s notes, time missed from work, anxiety and emotional distress, receipts, and anything else you think might be relevant. If you experience new symptoms like headaches or memory issues, tell your doctor immediately. You might be dealing with a hidden brain injury.

And stay on top of your claim. When HawkLaw P.A. is in your corner, we can handle the insurance side so you can focus on healing. But if you go it alone, know that delays, missed paperwork, and unclear communication can seriously hurt your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.

How Can You Sustain Blunt Force Trauma From a Car Accident?

Car accidents unleash an incredible amount of force in a fraction of a second. When a 3,000-pound car traveling at 45 miles per hour comes to a dead stop, your body doesn’t stop at the same time. That energy has to go somewhere, and that can be into your chest, your head, and your spine. It’s physics, and it’s brutal.

You can suffer blunt force trauma from:

• Hitting the steering wheel during impact, especially if the airbag doesn’t deploy or deflates too fast
• Getting jerked back by the seat belt, which can cause chest bruising, cracked ribs, or even internal bleeding
• Smashing into the dashboard, which is common for passengers in head-on collisions
• Striking the seat in front of you if you’re in the backseat and not wearing a seat belt
• Whiplashing into your own headrest, leading to spinal injuries or concussions
• Being hit by loose objects that turn into missiles in a crash
• Being hit while cycling, walking, or riding your motorcycle, where there’s nothing to absorb the force except your body

All of these situations can lead to severe trauma. If you’ve been in a car accident that injured you, turn to HawkLaw P.A. to learn how we can help.

Serious Injuries Caused by Blunt Force Trauma

When you suffer blunt force trauma from a car accident, some injuries won’t be visible but can still be life-altering. The most serious conditions include:

• A concussion or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening if you don’t get emergency medical care
• Punctures to internal organs like the liver, spleen, and lungs, which can also be fatal if left untreated
• Spinal damage, including herniated discs, chronic pain, or mobility problems
• Spinal cord injuries that involve partial or complete paralysis
• Broken bones in the arms, legs, ribs, face, and pelvis, which are especially common in high-speed collisions
• Chest trauma from direct hits that damage the heart or lungs and cause painful bruising that makes it hard to breathe

These types of injuries can change your life, and they need to be taken seriously.

Does Blunt Force Trauma Kill Instantly?

Sometimes. If the impact was hard enough to damage the brain, rupture a major blood vessel, or destroy a vital organ, death can happen on the spot or within a few minutes.

Should You Hire a Car Accident Lawyer to Help You?

Yes, but not just any lawyer. You need one who knows South Carolina law, who has gone toe-to-toe with powerful insurance companies, and who won’t back down when your future is on the line. You need HawkLaw P.A.

We don’t charge a dime unless we win for you.* We investigate, negotiate, and (if it comes to it) fight for you in court. Our team understands how devastating vehicle crashes can be. We’re not afraid to take on complicated or high-stakes cases involving paralysis, TBIs, and other severe injuries caused by blunt force trauma.

We also know how important it is to keep the pressure off your shoulders while you recover. That’s why our injury lawyers handle all of the legal heavy lifting — so you can breathe, heal, and rebuild.

When You Suffered Serious Harm, Get Serious Help: Call HawkLaw P.A.

You don’t have to go through this alone. If you or someone you love has suffered blunt force trauma from a car accident, it’s time to get legal help that fights back. Use our contact form to reach out now. You can also find HawkLaw P.A. in Anderson*, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Spartanburg.

Whether you’re struggling to cover medical bills, losing income from being unable to work, or just trying to make sense of what happened, we’re ready to step in. Our ultimate goal is to make sure that your voice is heard, your trauma is taken seriously, and the people responsible are held accountable.

*Our Anderson office is by appointment only. Most cases will be handled out of our Greenville office.