In the aftermath of a car accident, the adrenaline surge can mask underlying injuries. You might walk away from the wreckage feeling relatively unscathed, only to feel chest pain later. This pain can be alarming and confusing, leaving you wondering if it’s a sign of something serious.
Chest pain after a car accident is a surprisingly common occurrence. Studies show that motor vehicle accidents are responsible for 60-70% of thoracic injuries. Some cases that involve minor muscle strain or bruising heal on their own. However, chest pain can also be a sign of a potentially life-threatening injury.
Madalon Injury Law’s car accident lawyers are here to help victims suffering from chest pain after car accidents.
The human chest houses vital organs like the heart, lungs, ribs, and major blood vessels. A car accident’s impact can traumatize these structures, resulting in chest pain. The severity and nature of the pain can vary depending on the underlying injury.
The forceful impact of a car accident can wreak havoc on your body, and the chest wall is no exception. The muscles and tissues in this area can strain and bruise easily. This can lead to an ache or soreness after a collision.
A sudden stop or change in direction can make your chest hit the steering wheel, seatbelt, or airbag. This hard impact can stretch or tear the muscles in your chest. The intercostal muscles that lie between your ribs and help you breathe are prone to injuries during a car accident.
Seatbelts can also cause muscle strains and bruising. Though they are lifesavers, the rapid tightening of seatbelt your chest during a crash can cause bruises.
Some symptoms of muscle strain or bruising are:
While muscle strain and bruising are generally harmless and heal on their own, it is important to get medical treatment. This ensures you’ve no hidden injuries that can cause complications in the long run.
Fractured ribs, also known as cracked ribs, are another common culprit behind chest pain after a car accident. Fractured ribs involve a break or crack in one or more of the bones that form your rib cage.
A direct blow to the chest from the steering wheel, dashboard, or another object during a crash can fracture your ribs. In fact, even the compression of your chest from the seatbelt or airbag during a sudden stop can crack your ribs.
Some symptoms of fractured ribs are:
Fractured ribs can heal in a few weeks but they can lead to complications if you don’t treat them. These include the risk of punctured lungs or getting pneumonia.
A bruised sternum, also known as a sternal contusion, is a common injury after a car accident. It occurs when the forceful impact of the crash compresses the chest wall. This injures the cartilage where the ribs meet the breastbone (sternum).
Hitting your chest directly against the steering wheel or dashboard during a crash can cause a bruised sternum. A rapidly tightening seatbelt can also bruise your sternum.
Some symptoms of a bruised sternum are:
A bruised sternum can heal on its own within a few weeks. However, in some cases, it can result in complications like costochondritis. This is the inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to the sternum. It can occur alongside a sternal contusion and worsen the pain.
Although pleurisy is not that common, it can still arise after a car accident. Pleurisy is the inflammation of the pleura, the thin lining that separates your lungs from the chest wall. This condition can cause the pleura to become rough and irritated, leading to sharp chest pain.
Blunt force trauma after a car accident can cause pleurisy. A direct blow to the chest wall can injure the pleura and inflame it.
Rib fractures and internal bleeding can also cause pleurisy. The blood can seep into the space between the pleura and the lungs and irritate the pleura.
Pleurisy can also arise because of lung conditions like pneumonia, which can worsen after a blow to the chest.
Pleurisy-related chest pain after a car accident can take these forms:
Although pleurisy is treatable, it can cause complications if not treated quickly. For example, it can cause fluid build-up in the pleural space which can worsen breathing issues.
A punctured lung (pneumothorax) is a serious medical emergency that can cause chest pain after a car accident. It happens when a forceful impact causes a rib fragment or another object to pierce the lung tissue. This creates a hole that allows air to leak into the space between the lung and the chest wall. This leaked air collapses the lungs, making breathing difficult.
One of the biggest culprits of punctured lungs is fractured ribs. Sharp bone fragments can puncture the lung during a crash. A direct blow to the chest wall from the steering wheel or dashboard can also cause a punctured lung. This can even happen without fractured ribs.
Some symptoms of a punctured lung are:
A punctured lung can result in respiratory failure, leading to death.
It can also cause tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening condition where air enters the pleural space but can’t escape. This puts pressure on the heart and major blood vessels, which can compromise breathing.
Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for a punctured lung to avoid complications and recover fully.
Car accidents can cause damage beyond visible injuries. The forceful impact of a collision can injure internal organs like the spleen or liver. This can happen even if there are no external signs of trauma.
A direct blow to the abdomen or chest from the steering wheel, dashboard, or other objects can damage internal organs. The abrupt stop during a crash can also cause organs to slam against the inside of the rib cage. This can lead to tears or ruptures.
The most common types of organ damage are:
Some symptoms of organ damage are:
Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of complications and improve the chances of a full recovery.
Chest pain after a car accident can also point to cardiac contusion, which refers to a bruise to the heart muscle. A direct blow to the chest from the steering wheel, dashboard, or another object can bruise the heart muscle. The abrupt stop during a crash can also cause the heart to slam against the rib cage, leading to contusion.
Symptoms of cardiac contusion are:
In severe cases, a heart contusion can lead to cardiac shock, where the body struggles to pump blood effectively. In some cases, the forceful impact can damage one or more heart valves.
You need proper monitoring and rest to heal your heart contusion.
Even if you feel fine after a car accident, you still should seek immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following alongside chest pain, it can be a sign of a complication:
Early diagnosis can rule out more serious injuries and ensure you heal fully.
Q: What should I do if I experience chest pain after a car accident?
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the warning signs mentioned above.
If the pain seems mild: Apply ice packs wrapped in a towel to the area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Rest and avoid activities that worsen the pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin can help manage discomfort.
See a doctor even for mild pain to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Q: How can I tell the difference between chest pain from a minor injury and something more serious?
While you can expect some pain after a car accident, some symptoms require prompt medical attention:
Q. Can a car accident increase the risk of heart attack?
The stress and emotional trauma of a car accident can trigger the release of stress hormones like adrenaline. This can temporarily increase your blood pressure and heart rate. If you have a heart condition, your risk of a heart attack during or after a car accident rises.
Q. How do I know my chest pain is due to an injury, not a heart attack?
While chest pain is a common symptom of both, there are some key differences. A heart attack typically causes a crushing or pressure-like pain in the center of the chest. This pain may radiate to the jaw, arm, shoulder, or back. You might also experience shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and lightheadedness.
Chest pain after a car accident is often sharp or stabbing and worsens with movements like breathing or coughing.
In addition, heart attack symptoms often come on suddenly and persist for more than a few minutes. Chest pain from a car accident injury typically appears right after the impact. however, delayed pain can also occur.
To get a proper diagnosis, seek treatment as soon as you feel pain.
Q: How long does chest pain last after a car accident?
The duration depends on the cause of the pain. Muscle strain or bruising usually heals within a few weeks with proper care. Fractured ribs can take several weeks to heal fully. More serious injuries might require more extensive treatment and recovery time.
Q: Should I see a doctor even if the pain goes away?
See a doctor for a checkup, even if the pain subsides. This ensures your doctor does not miss any underlying injuries and helps you find the best course of recovery.
Q: Why might I have pain in my chest that starts a few days after a car accident?
Chest pain might develop after a few days for a couple of reasons:
It’s impossible to say exactly how much settlement you can get for chest pain after a car accident. Several factors influence settlement amounts, and chest pain itself can have many causes with a wide range of severity. Here’s what typically determines a settlement value:
If you’ve been in an accident, the Florida injury lawyers of Madalon Injury Law can help:
1. Determine the Cause of Your Chest Pain
Although lawyers aren’t medical professionals, they’ve dealt with many car accident cases before. This means they know why someone might have chest pain after a car accident. They can help you collect your medical records and even find the right doctor to figure out exactly what’s wrong. Having a good diagnosis is important to win your case.
2. Build a Strong Case for Compensation
Your Florida car accident attorney will gather evidence like police reports, witness statements, and medical records. This helps prove the car accident was the cause of your chest pain. This proof is important for proving liability and helping you get a fair settlement.
Florida has specific laws regarding car accident claims. Your attorney will know these laws and ensure your case adheres to them.
3. Negotiate a Settlement or Prepare for Trial
Our car accident lawyers in Florida are expert negotiators. They can try to work out a fair settlement with the insurance company in your best interests. This includes medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other damages.
If negotiations fail, your lawyer will prepare your case for trial. This involves presenting evidence to a judge or jury to help you seek compensation.
4. Protect Your Rights
Florida has a 2-year statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims. Your attorney will ensure you meet all deadlines to get your rights.
Insurance companies might trick you into offering you less money than you deserve. A lawyer will make sure the insurance company plays fair. They’ll protect your rights throughout the process.
Call Madalon Injury Law Today!
Even if your chest pain seems mild, we recommend you consult with Madalon Injury Law’s personal injury lawyers. We can advise you on the best course of action and ensure you understand your rights.
if you’re injured in a car accident, call us today. We offer free case reviews, so you have nothing to lose by seeking professional guidance.
Most people are not aware of how the law works, the rights they have and the amount of compensation they can be entitled to after they have been injured in an accident that was the result of another party’s negligence. The obstacles and confusion that follow an accident and an injury can seem overwhelming.
