Does your chest hurt after a car accident? Experiencing chest pain after a car accident can be alarming. If you’re suffering from this type of injury, it’s crucial to understand the potential causes and the steps you need to take to protect your health and legal rights.
At Harris Law Firm, our car accident attorneys are committed to helping accident victims in Mississippi focus on recovery without the added stress of dealing with insurance companies and legal matters alone.
Whether you’re experiencing immediate or delayed chest pain after a car accident, it’s essential to get the answers you need.
What Is a Chest Injury?
A chest injury is any damage to the chest area, including the ribs, lungs, heart, and surrounding muscles. These injuries can range from minor bruises to life-threatening conditions such as punctured lungs or heart damage.
Chest injuries sometimes don’t present symptoms until hours or even days after the accident, which is why any delayed chest pain after a car accident should never be ignored.
What Are Common Causes of Pain in the Chest After a Car Accident?
Several factors can cause pain in the chest after a car accident, including:
- Blunt trauma. This type of injury occurs when the chest is forcefully struck, often by the steering wheel or dashboard. The impact can cause bruising, rib fractures, or damage to internal organs.
- Seat belt injuries. While seat belts are lifesaving devices, they can sometimes cause injuries during a car accident. The force of the collision can result in bruises, fractures, or even damage to the internal organs due to the pressure applied by the seat belt.
- Internal organ damage. Trauma from a car accident can lead to damage to vital organs such as the lungs or heart. This injury can result in severe complications like punctured lungs, internal bleeding, or heart conditions.
Regardless of the cause, you should always take chest pain seriously. Immediate medical attention can make the difference between a full recovery and long-term complications.
Why Is It Important to Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident?
Getting checked out by a medical professional is the first and most crucial step after experiencing chest pain from a car accident. Even if the pain seems minor, underlying injuries can be more severe than they appear. Medical care ensures that injuries are diagnosed and treated promptly, preventing the risk of long-term damage. Additionally, it helps document your injuries, which is crucial for filing an insurance claim.
What Are Common Chest Injuries After a Car Accident?
Chest injuries from car accidents can vary in type and severity. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Rib fractures—broken ribs are often caused by the force of impact or by seat belts, which can lead to significant pain and difficulty breathing;
- Lung injuries—conditions such as pneumothorax (collapsed lung) or hemothorax (blood in the lung cavity) are serious and can result from blunt trauma to the chest;
- Cardiac injuries—car accidents can cause damage to the heart, leading to conditions like myocardial contusions (bruising of the heart muscle) or, in severe cases, heart attacks; and
- Muscle strain—the muscles around the chest and ribs can be strained or bruised during an accident, causing pain when breathing, coughing, or moving.
These injuries can lead to long-term health issues if not treated promptly, highlighting the importance of seeking medical care after an accident.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
If you’ve suffered a chest injury after a car accident, you should hire a lawyer. Dealing with a legal claim can be overwhelming, especially when recovering from an injury. A personal injury lawyer can help ease this burden by:
- Handling insurance claims. Your lawyer will manage all communication with the insurance companies, ensuring they don’t try to minimize or deny your claim.
- Investigating the accident. A lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case to gather evidence proving who was at fault.
- Protecting your rights. Your lawyer will understand Mississppi’s personal injury laws and ensure you receive fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Meeting deadlines. There are important deadlines to remember, such as Mississippi’s statute of limitations, which gives you three years to file a claim against the negligent party who caused the accident. Your lawyer will make sure all filings are done on time so you don’t miss any critical deadlines
Without legal representation, you might struggle to secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one is experiencing chest pain after a car accident, it’s essential to seek both medical care and legal guidance. At Harris Law Firm, we have been helping victims of car accidents in Mississippi get the compensation they need to recochest pain after car accidentver for over 40 years. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
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