Chest injuries – everything from bruised sternums and broken ribs to internal organ damage and severe bleeding – are among the most common injuries people suffer in car accidents. Research published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information suggests that up to 80 percent of blunt chest trauma injuries in the U.S. are caused by motor vehicle accidents. Chest injuries are especially serious, as any damage to your heart, lungs, or other critical organs can have severe complications.
If you have suffered a chest injury after a car accident in Georgia, contact the attorneys at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., right away. Our Douglasville chest injury lawyers have close to 80 years of combined legal experience. We have a proven track record of helping our clients secure significant compensation. Contact our office today to learn more about our services and get a free initial consultation.
What Are Types of Chest Injuries from Car Accidents?
There are many different kinds of chest injuries that can be caused by a car accident, such as:
- Damage to the sternum – Your sternum, or breastbone, is the long, flat bone in the middle of your chest that’s connected to all your ribs. In a car accident, the pressure of your chest hitting the steering wheel or another hard object can bruise your sternum, causing intense pain and making it hard to breathe. In severe cases, your sternum can fracture, leading to severe pain and other complications.
- Damage to the ribs – Your ribs are some of the more fragile bones in your body. They can easily be bruised if your chest is pressed against a hard surface. Ribs can also break in a motor vehicle accident, which is not only extremely painful, but can also lead to other complications like a punctured lung.
- Damage to the trachea – The trachea is the medical term for your windpipe. In an accident, your windpipe can be bruised depending on how your seat belt is resting on your body. In more severe cases, the cartilage that supports your windpipe can fracture or crush, which is often fatal.
- Muscle strain – Your diaphragm and other muscles in your chest can become strained from the force of a car crash, making it difficult to breathe.
- Punctured lung – A broken rib can puncture your long, which can cause severe respiratory distress if it’s not treated quickly.
- Internal organ damage – Car accidents can also damage your heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, or other organs, depending on the angle of impact.
- Internal bleeding – Severe damage to any of the organs in your chest can cause internal bleeding, which can be fatal if it’s not treated quickly.
What Are Some Signs of a Serious Chest Injury?
Some of the most common signs of a serious chest injury after an accident include:
- Sore ribs
- Pain when breathing, coughing, or laughing
- Bruising or swelling to the affected area of your chest
- A grinding or crunching sound when you move or breathe, which may be a sign of broken bones grinding against each other
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Blood in your urine (often a sign of damage to your kidneys)
- Pain in your upper chest, side, or lower back
- Difficulty or pain when trying to move
How Long Does Your Chest Hurt After a Car Accident?
How long your chest may hurt after a car accident depends on the extent of your injuries. If your injuries are fairly minor, such as bruised ribs or a bruised sternum, the pain will likely fade over the course of a few days or weeks. With more severe injuries, such as broken ribs or damage to internal organs, the pain could last for months or longer.
While it’s important to see a doctor promptly following a car accident, especially if your chest was impacted or compressed in any way, you should return for another exam if you have chest pain that continues.
What Are Some Complications of a Chest Injury?
Chest injuries in a car crash may lead to major medical complications, including:
- Punctured lungs – If your lung is punctured, it could eventually collapse, leading to respiratory failure or death if it is not treated quickly.
- Internal bleeding – If you lose too much blood after a chest injury, you could slip into shock without rapid medical care treatment.
- Decreased organ function – Damage to your lungs, heart, kidneys, spleen, or other internal organs from a severe chest injury isn’t always reversible, so you may be living with these effects for the rest of your life. In some cases, damage to the spleen or another organ may be so severe that you may need to have it removed.
How Do I Know If My Chest Injury Is Serious?
Because of the potentially deadly complications that can come with a chest injury, you should always see a doctor following a car accident, especially if you suspect you may have suffered any type of chest injury.
There are a number of different symptoms that could indicate a possible chest injury, such as:
- Tenderness or pain in your chest when you breathe or move,
- Pressure, tightness, or burning in your chest
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble swallowing
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Pain that radiates to your back, neck, shoulders, or arms
If you have substantial chest pain immediately after a car accident, get to a hospital and seek medical care right away, as you may have potentially severe or fatal injuries.
What Should You Do If You Are Having Chest Pains After a Car Accident?
Even a seemingly minor chest injury sustained in a car accident can have serious consequences if it goes untreated, as the injury could get worse over time. For this reason, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as you can after a crash if you are experiencing any chest pain or other related symptoms. If your pain is prominent, or if you’re having any trouble breathing, get to a hospital right away.
Contact a Chest Injury Lawyer in Georgia Today
If you have suffered a chest injury as a result of a car accident, you may be able to recover compensation from the other driver through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. The chest injury lawyers at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., can listen to your case and tell you if you may be eligible for a personal injury claim. Contact us today for a free initial consultation with a Georgia personal injury attorney.
