The sudden violent force of a car colliding with another vehicle or a fixed object can inflict many different types of blunt-force injuries on those inside the car. One example is a contusion, or a cluster of broken blood vessels beneath the skin.
Contusions can affect the skin, muscles, bones or organs such as the brain. Speaking to a New York car accident lawyer can be important after suffering a crash-related contusion to help ensure the victim doesn’t settle for less than the injury is worth.
What Are Contusions?
A contusion is another word for a bruise. “Contusion” is typically used when a car accident victim has suffered a serious bruise or bruising beneath the surface of the skin, such as a bone contusion. Contusions can be caused by automobile accidents from the force of impact between the victim’s body and the object that stopped his or her forward motion, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, window, airbag or seat belt.
Common Types of Car Accident Contusions
Blunt-force trauma can lead to contusions on a car accident victim’s chest, torso, head, brain or any other part of the body. There are various types of contusions based on the location and nature of the bruising:
- Subcutaneous contusion: bruising just beneath the surface of the skin
- Intramuscular contusion: blood pooling inside a muscle
- Intermuscular contusion: damage that tears the outer layer of muscle, causing blood to leak into the space between muscles
- Subchondral lesion: bruising beneath the cartilage of a joint
- Periosteal contusion: bruising of the membrane surrounding a bone
- Intraosseous contusion: bruising inside of the bone
Contusions are also classified according to severity. A first-degree contusion is minor, ordinary bruising. Second-degree contusions come with greater pain and swelling. Third-degree contusions are severe, with major pain and the possibility of a muscle or bone bruise.
Complications Associated With Car Accident Contusions
Skin contusions can cause discoloration, swelling, inflammation, pain, tenderness, loss of mobility and limited range of motion. A muscle contusion can cause even more significant pain and stiffness. A bone contusion may hurt or impact the victim’s mobility for months. Contusions of the organs, such as the brain or lungs, can be life-threatening.
In addition to the contusions themselves, deep bruises are often indicative of other serious injuries from a car crash, such as internal bleeding, organ damage, hematomas (pooling blood beneath the skin), hemorrhaging and traumatic brain injuries. Watch for symptoms such as severe chest pain, trouble breathing, or the skin turning blue or purple for signs of an emergency.
When to Contact a Car Accident Lawyer for a Contusion in New York
If you have a serious or severe contusion, or a contusion with secondary injuries, it is worthwhile to contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your car accident claim. With a major contusion, you are at risk of an insurer offering a lowball settlement. You may need to hire a lawyer to represent you in order to get a fair settlement from a car insurance company.
Before accepting a settlement or signing anything from an insurance company, contact Abaev Law Firm, PLLC to learn your legal rights and financial recovery options. An experienced car accident attorney can accurately calculate the value of your contusion injury case and guide you toward a fair and full settlement resolution. If needed, a lawyer can take your car accident case to court in New York for justice.