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Aortic Dissection Car Accident

A laceration is a tearing of body tissues, which can result from an external trauma or when there is a fracture, and the bone pierces the skin.

Blunt trauma in a car accident can cause deep lacerations. A laceration is a tearing of body tissues, which can result from an external trauma or when there is a fracture, and the bone pierces the skin. If the injury is very severe, the victim may experience an aortic laceration or dissection.

St. Louis car accident scene

What Is Aortic Dissection?

An aortic dissection is possibly the most severe laceration that can result from a car accident. It occurs when trauma to the innermost layer of the aorta allows blood to flow between the layers of the aortic walls causing them to separate.

Symptoms of Aortic Dissection

  • Sudden and severe chest or upper back pain, which can be a ripping, shearing, or tearing sensation that radiates down the back or to the neck (similar to heart attack pain)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Sudden difficulty speaking
  • Loss of vision
  • Weakness or paralysis of one side of the body
  • Weak pulse in one arm compared to the other

This is a life-threatening injury and requires immediate medical attention. If it is suspected that the car accident victim has suffered an aortic dissection. The following step should be taken:

  • Call 911 immediately and ask the victim to remain still until medical help arrives
  • If the patient loses consciousness, CPR may be necessary
  • Ask the patient to remain calm and not move
  • Make sure not to give aspirin to the patient as it can prove fatal. An aortic dissection can cause pain and symptoms that mimic a heart attack.

Those who survive will likely require long-term follow-up care, including high blood pressure monitoring and regular scans to check for any ruptures.

Other Severe Lacerations

Other lacerations can be severe as well and can lead to serious bleeding. Some other types of lacerations that can result from car accidents are:

Grinding compression: This occurs when the victim’s body hits an object with a brushing motion. This can peel the skin and pull it back and away from the underlying tissue. When the top layer of skin is peeled away, the deeper layers of the epidermis are also usually affected. The other tissue under the epidermis is often crushed.

Split laceration: This involves two objects crushing a part of the victim’s body. The direction and force of the two objects will result in compression of the epidermis and tearing of the skin and underlying tissue.

If you have suffered a laceration on the face, scalp, hand, foot, joint, or genitals, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. These areas of the body are particularly vulnerable to infection and other complications, so it is essential to have them examined by a doctor. In addition, lacerations in these areas can often require stitches or other treatments that are best administered by a medical professional.

Treatment for Lacerations

If left untreated, a laceration can lead to serious complications such as infection, scarring, and blood loss. 

Treatment for lacerations depends on their severity and typically includes cleansing the wound, numbing the area with local anesthesia, and suturing the skin together. Deep lacerations may require more extensive treatment, such as surgery to repair damaged muscles or tendons.

Legal Help for Your Car Accident Injuries

Those who suffer a severe laceration in a car accident may need emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and follow-up care. If your injury results from another driver’s negligence, you should contact a competent St. Louis auto accident attorney who can help recover compensation for your injuries.


Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!

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Updated: August 24, 2022