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Stomach Pain and Diarrhea After Car Accident: What You Need To Know

Stomach Pain and Diarrhea After Car Accident: What You Need To Know

Do not ignore  stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident because it can be your body’s way of telling you something is definitely not right.

These symptoms may be a reaction to the stress and anxiety of a being in a crash.

But these symptoms may also be symptoms of more serious injuries which, if left undiagnosed and untreated, could become potentially life-threatening.

To protect your health and your legal rights to No-Fault benefits, pain and suffering compensation, and other economic damages, see your doctor immediately if you are experiencing stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident.

What causes stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident?

Stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident can be caused by the pressure of the seat belt, from being struck by a deployed airbag, or from striking an object within the vehicle such as the steering wheel or dashboard. These conditions can be symptoms of internal bleeding resulting from organ damage.

What to do for stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident

If you suffered stomach pain and diarrhea after car accident, follow these steps:   

  1. Get examined immediately: Time may be of the essence. When it comes to properly diagnosing the cause of stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident, the sooner a person gets the proper diagnostic tests and medical treatment for these symptoms, the sooner they can rule out a potentially life-threatening injury. As an injury lawyer, I always advise people that the sooner they can get the necessary and appropriate medical care, the sooner they can get back on the road to good health and a full recovery, but with these symptoms the key is to rule out a much more serious injury as soon as possible. 
  2. Get medical treatment and get a referral for the appropriate diagnostic imaging to detect and diagnose if you have suffered a serious organ injury and the cause for your condition.  A doctor can’t treat you until he or she knows what is causing these symptoms, and the appropriate diagnostic testing – often a CT scan – will enable your doctor to prescribe the best course of treatment for you and make the appropriate referrals for you. 
  3. Early documentation always makes it easier to avoid future problems with your own insurance company. Early medical documentation, such as in an emergency room or as soon as possible with your family doctor, will prove to a health insurance company or a No-Fault insurance company that the motor vehicle crash was the cause of your condition. If it does turn out to be a more serious injury, you’ve documented the early symptoms and again will be able to avoid many of the problems that arise when an insurance company is denying a causal relationship and refusing to pay for medical treatment. Early treatment and medical documentation create the temporal relationship that insurance companies will be looking for when they are being asked to pay for necessary medical care. 
  4. Showing a clear temporal relationship between a motor vehicle collision and the documentation of treatment for a condition or injury also makes it easier to get a full and fair legal settlement for your injury when it is caused by another driver’s carelessness or negligence behind the wheel. Delays in seeking treatment hurt your ability to get better faster and make a good recovery, but it also often makes it harder for your attorney to get a reluctant insurance company to pay for your treatment and makes it harder to get a fair legal settlement after your crash.
  5. Don’t try to “tough it out”: this condition may be symptoms of a far more serious injury that may even become fatal if you don’t seek treatment right away. As a lawyer, I’ve seen so many instances where people felt like they didn’t want to “complain,” but within days or weeks what they thought would be a minor injury or something that would go away becomes far more serious.  
  6. Talk to an attorney who is experienced at helping people injured in car accidents. Most experienced lawyers have helped people suffering from stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident. The initial call is always free so at the very least you will be informed as to what your insurance company is responsible to pay and what medical help and wage loss you are entitled to. An attorney can also help you review your medical records as well as the treatment and care you’re receiving to make sure bills are getting paid and to help you assess what your case might be worth if your pain and disability was caused by another driver’s negligence or carelessness. 
  7. Tell your auto insurance company about your stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident.  If you live in Michigan, make sure to include this in your application for No-Fault benefits, which is also referred to as your “written notice of injury” – which must be given to your No-Fault auto insurance company “within 1 year after the accident.” (MCL 500.3145(1) and (4))
  8. Do not sign any settlements, releases, or waivers related to your crash: Until you have talked with an experienced attorney who is looking out for your interests, do not sign any settlements, releases, or waivers that are presented to you by your auto insurance company, the at-fault driver’s auto insurer or any other insurance companies or persons.

How to claim for stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident

In Michigan, you start your claim for stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident by filing an application for No-Fault benefits with the responsible auto insurance company, according to the No-Fault law’s “priority” rules. The No-Fault insurer will pay for your medical bills and your lost wages if you cannot return to work.

Can I sue for stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident?

Yes. If your auto insurance company refuses to pay for No-Fault benefits related to the stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident, then you can sue for unpaid and overdue medical bills, attendant care, medical mileage, replacement services and lost wages because your injuries have prevented you from returning to work.

You can also sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering compensation as a result of your motor vehicle crash-related injuries, but you will first have to show that the other driver was at-fault for causing the crash and that your mental trauma constitutes a “serious impairment of body function” under our auto accident injury law.

Additionally, you may be able to sue the at-fault driver for other economic damages, such as excess and future medical bills and lost wages under Michigan’s auto tort law.

These symptoms could be a warning of more serious injuries

If you’re experiencing these symptoms after a motor vehicle collision, you need to be aware that that these symptoms can indicate far more serious injuries.  These can include:

  • Injuries to your gastro-intestinal tract (GI)
  • Injuries or rupture of your bowels
  • Injuries to your digestive tract
  • Injury to your intestine (that is causing malabsorption which, in turn, results in diarrhea)
  • Injuries or rupture to internal organs
  • Injuries to blood vessels in the abdomen
  • Aggravation of pre-existing irritable bowel syndrome
  • Inflammation/damage to the appendix
  • Damage to the gallbladder

Could be symptoms of abdominal trauma

Stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident are frequent symptoms showing that a victim has suffered abdominal trauma, including damage or rupturing of organs and internal bleeding into the abdominal cavity.

Because abdominal injuries can cause death from internal bleeding or systemic infection, it is essential that you seek immediate medical attention if you are suffering from this condition.

Testing and diagnosis

If you are suffering from these conditions, then see your doctor right away. He or she will conduct a gastro-intestinal tract (GI) examination – as well as a physical examination – to diagnose what is causing your condition. 

The diagnosis process may include laboratory tests, an ultrasound and a CT scan of the abdomen.

Need help for stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident? Call the attorneys at Michigan Auto Law

If you have suffered stomach pain and diarrhea after a car accident and would like to speak to an experienced injury attorney, call toll free anytime 24/7 at (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with one of our attorneys. You can also get help from an experienced accident attorney by visiting our contact page or you can use the chat feature on our website.

Stomach Pain and Diarrhea
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