Severe Bruising After a Texas Car Accident? Call Adley Law Firm to Protect Your Rights
Discuss your healing, compensation and potential case with a free consultation
Car accidents are scary and stressful experiences. In the aftermath, you might notice bruises on your body – or even feel pain that wasn’t there at first. At the Adley Law Firm, we understand how upsetting this can be. That’s why we’re here to help you understand your legal claim and how your injuries may affect it. If you’re dealing with pain or uncertainty after an accident, don’t wait. Contact the Adley Law Firm today for a free consultation and let us help you get the care and compensation you deserve.
How Car Accidents Cause Bruises
Bruises are extremely common after a collision. Medically speaking, a bruise (also called a contusion) is discoloration of the skin caused by blood leaking from damaged capillaries under the surface.
In a car accident, the sudden force can throw your body against hard surfaces or restraining devices, leading to this kind of bleeding under the skin. For example:
- Seat Belt Bruises: Your seat belt can press hard against your shoulder, chest, or abdomen. This blunt force often causes a visible band of bruising across those areas.
- Airbag Impact: Airbags deploy with great force and can leave bruises on your face, arms, or chest.
- Hitting Interior Surfaces: Body parts may strike the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows, causing localized bruising.
- Soft Tissue and Muscle Bruising: Even without direct contact, the jarring motion of a crash can bruise muscles and soft tissue through stretching or compression.
Most bruises heal on their own in a week or two. However, not all bruises are minor, some may be warning signs of deeper injuries.
Most Common Places for Bruises After a Car Accident
- Head and Face – Bruising may result from hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or window, or from airbag deployment. These injuries can indicate more serious trauma such as concussions or facial fractures.
- Neck and Collarbone – Sudden jerking from a crash or seat belt force can cause bruising and swelling in this area, potentially signaling whiplash or deeper tissue damage.
- Chest and Sternum – Seat belt pressure or impact with the steering wheel can lead to bruising and may indicate underlying rib or sternum fractures.
- Lungs (Pulmonary Contusions) – Deep bruising to the lungs caused by blunt chest trauma can affect breathing and is often linked to high-impact crashes.
- Breasts – Seat belts can cause bruising across the breast tissue, particularly in women, during rapid deceleration or frontal collisions.
- Abdomen and Kidneys – Lap belts and blunt force trauma can bruise internal organs; flank bruising may signal kidney injury and should be assessed by a doctor.
- Back and Spine – The force of impact can bruise muscles along the spine or cause soft tissue damage. In some cases, deeper vertebral injuries may be present.
- Arms and Hands – Bruises can result from bracing against impact, striking interior surfaces, or from airbag deployment.
- Legs and Knees – Often bruised from hitting the dashboard or seat in front during a collision, particularly in front-end crashes.
- Bone Bruises – Bruising over the ribs, hips, or shoulders could indicate a bone contusion or fracture and warrants medical attention.
When a Bruise Could Mean a Serious Injury
It’s important to pay attention to where bruises appear and how severe they are. In some cases, bruising can be a red flag for internal injuries that need immediate medical attention. For example, a bruise across the abdomen or chest could signal internal organ damage or internal bleeding.
Other warning signs include:
- Very large or painful bruises (possible hematomas)
- Bruising over bones that could indicate fractures
- Bruising around the eyes or ears following a head injury (possible brain trauma)
If you notice any of these, seek medical attention right away. A bruise may be more than just skin deep.
Delayed Bruising and Pain After a Crash
Injuries from a car wreck don’t always show up right away. You may feel fine immediately after a crash, only to develop bruises or pain a day or two later. Here’s why:
- Adrenaline Can Mask Pain: Your body’s “fight or flight” response can temporarily suppress pain after an accident. As adrenaline wears off, soreness may set in.
- Slow Internal Bleeding: Bruises may take hours or days to become visible as blood slowly leaks into surrounding tissues.
Never assume you’re uninjured just because symptoms are delayed. New bruising, soreness, or dizziness should always be taken seriously and discussed with a doctor.
Can You File a Personal Injury Claim for Bruising?
Yes, if someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your bruising and other injuries. Even “minor” injuries like bruises can be painful, interfere with your daily life, and result in medical expenses.
For instance, deep bruises might cause you to miss work or require prescription pain relief. You deserve to be compensated for those losses.
The severity and circumstances of the injury will affect the potential value of a claim. Bruises that accompany other injuries, or indicate something more serious, can increase the compensation owed. An experienced personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and determine the best path forward.
Why You Should See a Doctor – Even for Small Bruises
After a crash, it’s crucial to seek medical attention, even if the injury seems minor. Here’s why:
Your Health and Safety
You could have injuries beneath the surface. Internal bleeding, cracked ribs, or organ damage may not be obvious. A doctor may order X-rays or imaging tests to rule out serious issues.
Proper Treatment and Recovery
Even mild bruises can be painful or restrict movement. A doctor can provide guidance for proper care and let you know what symptoms to watch out for as you heal.
Medical Documentation and Your Injury Claim
Medical records are essential in a personal injury claim. They link your injuries to the accident and support your case for compensation. Without timely documentation, the insurance company may argue your injuries weren’t caused by the crash.
Prompt treatment helps build a solid legal case. Your medical records, combined with personal documentation like photos and symptom journals, create strong evidence of your pain and suffering.
Adley Law Firm: Helping Houston Car Accident Victims
Being injured in a car accident is overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Adley Law Firm, we’ve helped countless car accident victims in Houston recover compensation for bruises, soft tissue injuries, and delayed symptoms.
We offer:
- Compassionate Support: We’ll help you get proper medical care, document your injuries, and handle insurance negotiations.
- Aggressive Representation: We fight to recover fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain, even for injuries that some insurers might downplay.
We Are Here for You
If you’ve been in a car accident in Houston and are dealing with bruises or other injuries, don’t wait. Contact Adley Law Firm for a free consultation. We don’t get paid unless we win your case, so you have nothing to lose by speaking with us.
Bruises may seem minor, but they can signal more serious injuries and play a big role in your personal injury claim. Get the care you need and let us help you recover the compensation you deserve.
