Car accidents—no matter how minor or severe—can shake survivors to their core. In the aftermath of a car crash, surface-level injuries like cuts and bruises are easily perceivable.
Unfortunately, some of the most devastating injuries are the ones survivors cannot see. One symptom that should never be ignored after a crash is vomiting. While it might be interpreted as a normal reaction to stress or whiplash, vomiting could be a sign of significant underlying injuries.
Why vomiting is a red flag
After a crash, vomiting may seem like a stress response or a symptom of a concussion. However, when paired with other signs like dizziness, abdominal pain or swelling, it becomes a serious red flag.
Vomiting can be a symptom of a traumatic brain injury or intracranial bleeding. If a survivor’s head struck any surface during the crash—even with an airbag—nausea and vomiting may signal swelling or bleeding in the brain.
Vomiting accompanied by abdominal pain or tenderness may indicate bleeding from organs like the liver, spleen or intestines. The seatbelt can compress a survivor’s abdomen forcefully during impact, causing hidden internal injuries.
If internal bleeding causes a significant loss of blood, the body may go into shock. Nausea and vomiting, along with rapid breathing, confusion or a cold, clammy feeling, are all warning signs that the body isn’t getting enough blood flow.
Vomiting after a car crash isn’t just an upset stomach—it could be the body’s cry for help. This could be a symptom of internal bleeding, which is a life-threatening condition that can masquerade as mild discomfort in the early stages. Accident survivors should get checked out immediately after a crash to rule out or diagnose any underlying conditions. Survivors should also enlist legal guidance to pursue compensation to cover some of their medical expenses.