Car accidents can cause more than broken bones and visible wounds. A severe impact can also damage internal organs, including the liver, and understanding how these injuries occur helps you evaluate your options for seeking compensation.
Blunt trauma to the liver
The liver sits in the upper right portion of the abdomen, where its size and location leave it vulnerable to blunt trauma during a serious collision. Rapid deceleration can cause a laceration even without a direct blow to the torso. When the vehicle stops suddenly, the liver might continue moving within the body, creating shearing forces that damage the organ and surrounding blood vessels.
Signs of internal bleeding
A liver laceration does not always cause severe pain immediately after a crash, which can make the injury difficult to recognize at first. As bleeding continues, warning signs may include:
- Pain or tenderness in the upper right abdomen
- Dizziness, a rapid heartbeat or fainting from blood loss
- Pale, cool or clammy skin
- Pain that spreads to the right shoulder
Some liver lacerations can be managed through close observation when the patient remains stable, while more serious tears might lead to substantial blood loss and shock. Imaging helps doctors assess the extent of the injury and determine whether treatment requires continued monitoring, embolization or surgery.
Deadlines and shared fault
Ohio generally gives you two years from the date of a car accident to file your claim. Missing this deadline could lead the court to dismissing your case, although limited circumstances may change how much time you have.
Shared responsibility can also affect what you recover. If you are partly at fault for the collision, your percentage of liability reduces the compensation you may recover, while a share greater than 50% bars recovery.
A liver injury claim can account for losses such as medical treatment, lost income, future care and pain and suffering. An attorney may review the collision and medical evidence, assess how the injury has affected you and address any disputes that could influence the value of the claim.