Do You Have Severe Bruising After a Car Accident?

Our Jacksonville accident attorneys can help you fight for compensation

Bruising is a common type of injury seen in car accidents. But bruises are not always minor. Bruising can be a sign of a more serious injury that needs immediate medical attention. That’s why you should always see a doctor as soon as possible if you’ve been involved in a crash.

It’s also important to get legal advice from an experienced Jacksonville car accident lawyer. An attorney can help you understand your rights and let you know where you stand. You may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. At The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic , we’re ready to help.

How does bruising happen in a car accident?

A bruise (ecchymosis) occurs when small blood vessels beneath the skin's surface rupture and leak blood into the surrounding tissues. The leaked blood pools in one area, causing a discoloration of the skin, usually appearing as black, blue, purple, or reddish in color. Here are some ways bruising can occur in a car accident:

• Bruises from airbags: Airbags are devices designed to keep drivers and passengers safe. But the force of deployment can cause bruises on areas of the body where the airbag makes contact, such as the face, chest, and arms.
• Seat belt injuries: The force exerted by the seat belt across the body during a collision can lead to bruising as the body is thrown forward against the belt. The “seat belt sign” is a colloquial term for a pattern of bruising and abrasions in the areas covered by the seat belt, including the neck, shoulder, chest, and abdomen.
• Black eyes: During a collision, you can hit your head on the steering wheel, dashboard, or side window. This can rupture blood vessels around the eye, leading to bruising.
• Bone bruises: Bones close to the skin can be struck during a crash, causing bleeding in the bone marrow and localized bruising. Examples of bone bruises include bruised ribs, as well as bruises to the elbows, kneecaps, tailbone, and forearm bones.
• Brain bruise: A brain bruise, also known as a cerebral contusion, can occur if the brain impacts the inside of the skull during a car accident. This can result from a blow to the head or when the head is thrown forward then backward with tremendous force.
• Hematoma: If there is significant damage to blood vessels under the skin, a collection of blood called a hematoma can form. For example, you can suffer a hematoma from a seat belt injury.
• Delayed bruising: In some cases, bruising may not develop until hours or even days after the collision due to the slow leakage of blood from damaged blood vessels. Delayed bruising after a car accident often means there is some type of internal injury.