Pelvic and Abdominal Injuries in a St. Louis Car Accident

Pelvic and abdominal injuries are among the most severe you can sustain in a car accident.

These parts of our body shelter most of our vital organs, big blood vessels and big bones. So, injuries in these areas can be fatal or take a very long time and extensive treatment to recover from.

How Do You Get Pelvic and Abdominal Injuries in a Car Crash?

Unfortunately, the very primary design of a car puts the driver’s pelvic and abdominal area at the same level as the bumper of the car. In the eventuality of a crash, the bumper is the first thing that will be hit, most likely, transferring the force to the driver’s abdomen or pelvis.

Safety devices cannot help in every case. In fact, in some situations, they can actually inflict damage. Even though fatalities have dramatically decreased since the introduction of the three-point seatbelt, even the modern ones can crush your internal organs and put pressure on your bones if the force of the accident is strong enough. Please note, however, that it is important to always wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts save lives and the benefits of wearing yours far outweigh any potential risks in a car accident.

Other types of injuries are penetrating ones when a foreign object pierces your skin and damages your internal tissues. If you suffer from penetrating injuries in the abdominal or pelvic region, the blood loss can be significant, as major blood vessels go through these areas.

Seatbelt Syndrome

Because injuries inflicted by the seat belt are more common than you would think, there is a name for them: the seatbelt syndrome. Children are more prone to suffering from seatbelt injuries as a lot of them are not fitted with the proper safety devices, like seat belt anchors, car seats and boosters.

However, even when the seat belt is worn properly, it can still cause damage to your pelvic or abdominal region just from the force of impact it absorbs and transfers to your body.

Symptoms of Abdominal or Pelvic Injuries

As you can see, injury in the abdominal or pelvic area can inflict a lot of damage and can be life-threatening. Here are some of the most common signs of injury in these areas. If you notice one or more of these symptoms, get checked immediately by a doctor.

• Pain or soreness
• Bruises in the abdominal or pelvic area
• Gastrointestinal symptoms that could indicate an intestinal injury (the presence of blood in your vomit, tenderness in the abdominal area, fever, chills)
• Internal bleeding symptoms (paleness, nausea, and vomiting, severe weakness, low BP, vision problems, headaches)
• Symptoms of bone fractures (bruising and swelling, numbness in the legs or groin area)

If you notice any of these symptoms, go to the doctor right away. They will do the proper investigations and recommend the right treatment for your injuries. The next step is to start the procedures for receiving compensation for your damage.

Speaking with a St. Louis car accident attorney as soon as possible is wise, as it maximizes your chances of getting fair compensation.