It is possible to get compensation for bowel issues and internal injuries following a car crash in Florida. You will need to see a doctor for a diagnosis and start a treatment plan as soon as possible.
If you suffered any injuries in a car accident and are having trouble securing the fair compensation you deserve, a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer may be able to help.
Bowel and gastrointestinal injuries can be especially serious because they are often internal, difficult to detect, and may not present symptoms right away. These types of injuries require timely medical care and legal action to ensure victims are fully protected. When seeking compensation, establishing a clear link between the accident and your symptoms is essential, especially when symptoms manifest days after the crash. Early medical documentation strengthens both your recovery and your legal case.
Bowel Issues After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Most modern cars are designed to absorb much of the impact taken in a car accident. However, drivers and passengers can still suffer from bowel issues and internal injuries, such as:
Some injuries that are often overlooked after a car accident are those affecting the bowels and gastrointestinal tract. These injuries could be one of the following:
- Seat Belt Syndrome: Caused by sudden deceleration, the seat belt may exert intense force across the abdomen, potentially leading to bruising, perforations, or mesenteric tears.
- Bowel Perforation: A tear in the wall of the small or large intestine, which can leak bacteria into the abdomen and cause sepsis.
- Bowel Obstruction: A blockage that prevents the normal flow of intestinal contents, often requiring emergency surgery.
- Mesenteric Ischemia: A reduction in blood flow to the intestines, which may result in tissue death if untreated.
If you have been in a car accident, see a doctor as soon as possible. Certain injuries, such as bowel issues and organ failure, may not immediately present themselves. Your doctor can diagnose these injuries and develop a personalized treatment plan for you.
Symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, or changes in bowel habits may be dismissed by victims or mistaken for stress-related discomfort. However, they can be indicators of underlying trauma to the intestines or mesentery. Immediate testing, such as CT scans or ultrasounds, can uncover these injuries before they escalate into life-threatening complications. Seeking medical care right away also helps establish a legal record of injury that is critical in your claim for damages.
Compensation for Bowel Issues After a Car Accident
If you have suffered injuries after a car accident, including bowel issues, you can recover compensation through your personal injury protection (PIP) auto accident policy. Under Florida’s no-fault insurance system, all drivers are required by law to carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage. It provides medical, disability, and death benefits regardless of fault.
However, medical care for internal injuries can be quite expensive, but depending on the severity of the injury, you could file a lawsuit against the other driver.
In many cases, PIP coverage is not enough to cover extensive medical care, ongoing treatment, or the loss of income associated with a serious bowel injury. If the injury results in long-term complications or permanent impairment, victims often face financial hardship. Filing a third-party claim can help recover the additional compensation needed to afford quality medical care, rehabilitative support, and the loss of future earnings. A qualified attorney can help determine when a lawsuit is appropriate.
Criteria for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Florida’s no-fault system bars accident victims from filing a lawsuit against the other driver unless the accident victim’s case meets certain criteria, known as the serious injury threshold.
If the accident victim is diagnosed with a significant or permanent bowel issue, they could file a lawsuit and seek additional compensation to cover the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
Injuries such as chronic bowel obstruction, partial loss of intestinal function, or surgical removal of a portion of the bowel often meet Florida’s serious injury standard. These injuries can have a permanent impact on your ability to work, enjoy everyday activities, or maintain your quality of life. When a medical provider supports that your condition is long-term or irreversible, your attorney can use this expert opinion to seek full compensation from the liable party.
When You Can File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Florida
Florida’s no-fault insurance system doesn’t permit lawsuits for every accident. You can pursue a claim outside the PIP system only if your injury meets the legal standard known as the “serious injury threshold.”
Qualifying conditions include:
- Significant or permanent loss of a bodily function
- Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
A perforated bowel, loss of bowel control, or chronic abdominal pain requiring long-term care may all meet this threshold. In such cases, victims can pursue damages for:
- Full medical costs (past, present, and future)
- Total lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or altered bodily function
Additionally, medical experts may testify about the long-term prognosis of your injury, further strengthening your claim for non-economic damages.
Your attorney may use testimony from gastroenterologists, physical therapists, and life-care planners to show the long-lasting effects of your injuries. These experts can explain how the injury affects digestion, pain levels, mental health, and daily functioning. The more detailed the evidence, the stronger your case for compensation becomes.
Deadlines and Liabilities in Your Bowel Issues Claim
To access these legal options, there are deadlines you must be aware of, such as:
- To receive PIP benefits, you must see a doctor within 14 days after the accident
- To pursue compensation through a lawsuit, you typically have a two-year statute of limitations
Missing these deadlines will affect your ability to collect compensation.
Also, you will need to prove negligence if you wish to file a lawsuit. We will need evidence, such as:
- Police report
- Medical records
- Photos and video
- Witness statements
- Medical documentation
- Crash reconstruction testimony (in some cases)
A Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer has the resources and network to develop a claim seeking compensation for bowel issues after a car accident. They can investigate the accident scene, consult with your doctors, determine your full range of damages, and deal with the insurance companies while you recover.
And, if the insurers are unwilling to give you a fair settlement, they can take your case to court, but only if you contact them before it’s too late.
Documenting your injury and seeking legal counsel quickly is vital. Failing to act within the legal deadlines can mean forfeiting your right to compensation. Your legal team can help you stay on schedule, gather supporting evidence, and build a solid case that meets all procedural requirements.
How to Prove Negligence in a Bowel Injury Case
If you pursue a lawsuit, you must demonstrate that the other party was negligent. This requires evidence showing:
- Duty of Care: The driver owed you a legal duty to operate their vehicle safely.
- Breach of Duty: That duty was violated through reckless or careless behavior (e.g., texting while driving, running a red light).
- Causation: The crash directly caused your bowel injury.
- Damages: You suffered measurable harm—medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma.
Strong evidence may include:
- Police accident reports
- Medical imaging and surgical reports
- Witness testimony
- Surveillance or dashcam footage
- Expert opinions (medical professionals, accident reconstructionists)
An experienced car accident attorney can handle the investigation and collect this evidence on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Why You Should Choose Wolf & Pravato
Bowel injuries are not only painful but deeply personal. At the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato, we understand the sensitivity and complexity of these cases. Our Fort Lauderdale injury attorneys are:
- Highly experienced in complex internal injury claims
- Compassionate and confidential in handling sensitive medical issues
- Aggressive negotiators who pursue every available dollar on your behalf
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato for Your Fair Recovery
Contact us for a free case consultation. Our staff is professional and discreet, and we can guide you through your next steps.
Call (844)-643-7200 today.
