Hawk Law Group | October 20, 2022 | Bicycle Accidents
When you think of bicycle accident injuries, you are likely to think of head injuries and scraped knees. You may picture broken bones or sprained wrists.
Internal organ damage may not enter your mind at all. Yet some bicycle accidents can cause this sort of internal damage, which can lead to complications and health dangers if not appropriately treated.
One of the organs at risk in a bike crash is the spleen. The spleen is an organ that plays a role in filtering your blood and creating white blood cells. When it is damaged and ruptures due to trauma, however, your spleen may need to be removed. Failing to properly treat or remove a ruptured spleen can, in some cases, be fatal.
How Does a Ruptured Spleen Occur?
The spleen is located above the stomach on the left side of your rib cage. Various conditions can cause damage to the spleen. Injuries from a bicycle accident can cause the spleen to tear or rupture. This can occur if you are hit in the stomach or land on your stomach after a bike wreck.
A rupture may be immediate, but it could also take a few days for your spleen to tear. No matter when your spleen tears, though, a ruptured spleen should be treated as a life-threatening emergency. Although rare, deaths have occurred in individuals who have ruptured their spleens.
How To Know if Your Spleen Has Ruptured
Unlike a broken bone or cut, the signs that your spleen has been injured and is in danger of rupturing are not always clear.
You may choose to be evaluated by your medical provider if you have any suspicion that your spleen has been injured. This may detect early issues and prevent an injury from becoming more serious.
If you were thrown from your bike and landed on your stomach, if you suffered any sort of blow or hit to the left side of your midsection, or if you feel pain in the area of your spleen after your crash, you should seek medical treatment.
Along with pain on the left side of your midsection, you may notice a feeling of fullness after eating only a small amount of food. In addition, you may experience a quickening heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
If you begin experiencing these symptoms, you should immediately go to the emergency room for treatment. An untreated ruptured spleen can be fatal.
Treatment for a Ruptured Spleen
If your spleen has ruptured or is significantly injured, it will likely need to be removed. It is possible to live without a spleen; however, once your spleen is removed, you will be more susceptible to infections. Your immune system will not function as well as it did before.
Your doctor will also likely recommend that you receive any missing vaccinations and stay up-to-date on your other vaccinations. You may also need to take regular antibiotics. Without a spleen, it is important that you attempt to prevent infection since you are not able to rely on your immune system in the same way as you previously did.
Take Bicycle Accident Injuries – Including a Ruptured Spleen – Seriously
If you are hit by a vehicle or involved in a bike accident, do not ignore signs of injury. Some of these injuries, like a ruptured spleen, may not seem serious at first but can quickly become life-threatening. Seek medical treatment if you have any concerns about an injury or symptoms you are experiencing following a bicycle crash.
Contact the Bicycle Accident Lawyers In the Central Savannah River Area at Hawk Law Group for Legal Assistance Today
For more information, please contact the bicycle accident lawyers at Hawk Law Group at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve throughout the Central Savannah River Area and it’s surrounding areas:
Hawk Law Group – Augusta, GA
338 Telfair St, Augusta, GA 30901, United States
(706) 722 3500
Hawk Law Group – Evans, GA
4384 River Watch Pkwy, Evans, GA 30809, United States
(706) 863 6500
Hawk Law Group – Thomson, GA
146 Railroad St A, Thomson, GA 30824, United States
(706) 361 0350
Hawk Law Group – Waynesboro, GA
827 Liberty St, Waynesboro, GA 30830, United States
(706) 437 9122
Hawk Law Group – Aiken County, SC
156 Laurens St NW, Aiken, SC 29801, United States
(803) 226 9089
We also serve in Edgefield County, SC.
