Chest Pains After an Auto Accident? Learn What Caused Them and What to Do
October 13, 2021
The chest is one of the critical parts of the body. That is why you should not dismiss chest pains after an auto accident. Below are some of the potential causes of such chest pains, plus tips on what you should do.
What Are the Possible Causes?
Any injury to the chest area can cause chest pains. Below are examples of such injuries.
Muscle Injuries
The chest has considerable muscle layers to protect the sensitive internal organs in the chest cavity. The muscles can suffer different damages in an auto accident. For example, you might suffer:
Note that you might feel muscle pain even without significant signs of external injuries.
Bone Injuries
The ribs and sternum are the major bones of the chest region. These bones can suffer fractures or bruises, which can trigger chest pains.
Internal Organ Injuries
The chest cavity houses several internal organs, such as the lungs and heart. A serious blow to the chest can injure these internal organs. You can even suffer internal organ injuries without direct, blunt force trauma. For example, sudden acceleration or deceleration can jostle the internal organs and trigger chest injuries.
Blood Vessel Injuries
You might also suffer chest pains if something compresses or ruptures blood vessels in your chest. For example, a sharp object might pierce your chest and puncture a blood vessel.
What Should You Do?
You can recover from your chest pains if you get the right medical treatment. You can limit the effect of the chest injury on your life if you get compensation for the injuries. Below are some tips that can help you with both issues.
Get Immediate Medical Care
As previously mentioned, the chest cavity contains two vital organs: the lungs and the chest. Get immediate medical care to prevent such organs from suffering permanent damage. In fact, you should ride in an ambulance if you develop chest pains after an accident.
The ambulance will:
Describe your chest pains as accurately as possible to your doctor to help them make the correct diagnosis.
Follow Your Doctor's Advice
The doctor will diagnose and prescribe treatment for your injuries. Your role is to follow the doctor's orders to the letter. For example, the doctor may advise you to:
Follow the doctor's instructions both for your recovery and auto accident claim. That way, you can prove to the defendant that you mitigated your injuries by following your doctor's advice to the letter.
File an Auto Accident Claim
A serious chest injury can affect your life in multiple ways. For example, you might:
Monetary compensation by the defendant might not make you whole, but it might ease some of your suffering. Discover a few tips to maximize your possible compensation:
Hopefully, your auto accident attorney will help you recover maximum damages.
Contact Schonberg Law Offices for consultation on your auto accident case. We will review your case and help you pursue your settlement.
What Are the Possible Causes?
Any injury to the chest area can cause chest pains. Below are examples of such injuries.
Muscle Injuries
The chest has considerable muscle layers to protect the sensitive internal organs in the chest cavity. The muscles can suffer different damages in an auto accident. For example, you might suffer:
- Muscle strain if the seatbelt pressed into your chest in an auto accident impact
- Muscle bruises if the airbag or steering wheel hits your chest
- Lacerations if sharp objects cut or pierce your chest muscles
Note that you might feel muscle pain even without significant signs of external injuries.
Bone Injuries
The ribs and sternum are the major bones of the chest region. These bones can suffer fractures or bruises, which can trigger chest pains.
Internal Organ Injuries
The chest cavity houses several internal organs, such as the lungs and heart. A serious blow to the chest can injure these internal organs. You can even suffer internal organ injuries without direct, blunt force trauma. For example, sudden acceleration or deceleration can jostle the internal organs and trigger chest injuries.
Blood Vessel Injuries
You might also suffer chest pains if something compresses or ruptures blood vessels in your chest. For example, a sharp object might pierce your chest and puncture a blood vessel.
What Should You Do?
You can recover from your chest pains if you get the right medical treatment. You can limit the effect of the chest injury on your life if you get compensation for the injuries. Below are some tips that can help you with both issues.
Get Immediate Medical Care
As previously mentioned, the chest cavity contains two vital organs: the lungs and the chest. Get immediate medical care to prevent such organs from suffering permanent damage. In fact, you should ride in an ambulance if you develop chest pains after an accident.
The ambulance will:
- Get you to the ER (emergency room) fast
- Protect you during the ride to the ER
- Help you prove the seriousness of your injury during your auto accident claim
Describe your chest pains as accurately as possible to your doctor to help them make the correct diagnosis.
Follow Your Doctor's Advice
The doctor will diagnose and prescribe treatment for your injuries. Your role is to follow the doctor's orders to the letter. For example, the doctor may advise you to:
- Avoid strenuous activities
- Get certain hours of bed rest
- Avoid some things, such as cigarettes or alcohol, during recuperation
Follow the doctor's instructions both for your recovery and auto accident claim. That way, you can prove to the defendant that you mitigated your injuries by following your doctor's advice to the letter.
File an Auto Accident Claim
A serious chest injury can affect your life in multiple ways. For example, you might:
- Struggle to help or play with your kids
- Struggle to enjoy physically demanding hobbies
- Spend a long time in a hospital
- Miss work and its related wages
- Require ongoing or long-term treatment
Monetary compensation by the defendant might not make you whole, but it might ease some of your suffering. Discover a few tips to maximize your possible compensation:
- Gather and preserve as much evidence as possible.
- Don't settle your case until you reach your maximum medical improvement (MMI).
- File your claim against all the potentially liable parties.
- Include every possible damage in your claim.
Hopefully, your auto accident attorney will help you recover maximum damages.
Contact Schonberg Law Offices for consultation on your auto accident case. We will review your case and help you pursue your settlement.
Get expert advice from Schonberg Law Offices in Middletown, NY. Contact a personal injury attorney today to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
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