If you have spleen damage from a car accident, the first thing you should do is seek out medical attention immediately and follow the treatment plan that is provided to you. If possible, try to preserve as much evidence as possible, including records of the care you’ve received.
It’s also important to contact a Marietta personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Instead of speaking with insurance companies by yourself or accepting the first settlement offer extended to you, let your attorney advise you of your rights and calculate how much your case is worth.
How Do Car Accidents Cause Spleen Damage?
Spleen injuries typically occur when the body experiences significant blunt-force trauma. The force involved in many vehicle collisions can place tremendous pressure on the abdomen and chest.
Let’s take a closer look at how this physical trauma occurs during a crash:
- Steering wheel impact, when a driver is thrown forward by a sudden stop
- Seat belt restraint pressure, when the harness locks tightly to save your life but exerts massive force on the abdomen
- Airbag deployment, which can strike the chest and midsection with intense speed
- Interior door panel contact, when a side-impact crash forces the cabin wall against your body
Your attorney will take on the responsibility of determining the exact cause of the incident that resulted in you sustaining spleen damage.
Symptoms of Spleen Damage After Car Accidents
A rather dangerous aspect of spleen injuries is that symptoms don’t always appear immediately after a collision. Some people initially believe they’re simply sore from the accident, only to develop worsening symptoms hours later as internal bleeding progresses.
These are common signs of spleen damage:
- Pain in the upper left abdomen
- Pain that spreads to the left shoulder
- Tenderness when touching the abdomen
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Weakness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Difficulty breathing
If you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Internal bleeding is a medical emergency that requires prompt evaluation and treatment.
What Damages are Available After Spleen-Related Injuries?
A serious spleen injury affects much more than your immediate medical expenses. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, Georgia law may allow you to recover damages for both your financial losses and the personal impact the injury has had on your life.
You might be able to recover damages for:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Future medical care
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Every case is different. Our lawyers take the time to understand how your injuries have affected your work, your family, and your daily life, so we can pursue damages that reflect the true impact of the accident, not just the bills you’ve received so far.
Georgia Laws That Affect Spleen Injury Claims
Even when another driver’s negligence seems clear, Georgia law can still affect how much you’re able to recover after a car accident.
Understanding these laws can help you make informed decisions as your case moves forward and avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your claim.
Georgia’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule
Not every accident involves one driver who is entirely at fault. Sometimes, both parties share some responsibility for what happened. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this law, you can still recover damages if you were partially responsible for the accident.
However, this is only the case if you’re less than 50% at fault for the crash. Also, your recovery will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
Insurance companies often try to take advantage of this law by arguing that you were:
- Speeding right before the collision happened
- Operating your vehicle while distracted
- Following too closely leading up to the crash
As you can see, they are trying to prove that you are somehow partially responsible because they want to reduce what they have to pay you. Lawyers are aware of this, which is why they push back against unfair attempts to shift blame onto clients.
Georgia’s Statute of Limitations
Georgia law generally gives injured accident victims two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. While two years may sound like plenty of time, building a strong case often begins long before that deadline approaches.
Witness memories fade, surveillance footage may be deleted, and valuable evidence can disappear if it isn’t preserved early. Our legal team begins investigating cases as soon as possible so important evidence is protected.
If negotiations with the insurance company do not result in a fair settlement, we are prepared to file a lawsuit within the required deadline and continue pursuing the damages you deserve.
Call Jones & Swanson ASAP to Understand What to Do if You Have Spleen Damage From a Car Accident
If you’ve suffered from spleen damage after getting hurt in a car accident, don’t wait any longer to contact Jones & Swanson for representation you can trust. As the victim of the incident, you are allowed to take legal action and pursue recovery for damages in your case.
We’ll focus on investigating the car accident that resulted in spleen damage and pursuing recovery that reflects the full value of your case. Our hometown firm has proudly represented people across Georgia with personalized service, honest advice, and experienced advocacy.
Our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience. Together, we have recovered more than $50 million in settlements on behalf of our clients. Our lawyers are committed to protecting your rights.
