what do chest pains after car accident mean?

What Does Chest Pain Mean After a Car Accident?

Chest pain is a concerning symptom, and unfortunately, it’s fairly common after a car crash. Even in a minor car accident, your body suffers significant physical trauma. Knowing the possible causes of chest pain and how to protect yourself can help you heal and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Looking for more personalized assistance with your personal injury claim? The team at Burns, Cunningham & Mackey is here to help. Call us at 251-432-0612 to schedule a meeting now.

Chest Pain is Common After a Car Accident

While chest pain might alarm you, know that it is fairly common after a car crash. When you are involved in a crash, your seat belt tightens to hold you in place. This puts a lot of strain on your chest and shoulders. If you are in the front seat and your airbags deploy, this could subject your chest to blunt force trauma. In both cases, you’re likely to suffer soreness, pain, and stiffness for at least a few days.

Just because chest pain is common does not mean that you can ignore it. While chest pain may be caused by mild injuries that will go away on their own, it can also come from more serious injuries that require prompt treatment. Without the help of a medical professional, it’s impossible to know whether your chest pain is serious or not.

What Chest Pain Means

Chest pain can mean several different things after a car accident. Muscle strain is a common source of chest pain, and muscle strains generally resolve on their own with enough time and rest. The severity of your strain will depend on the speed you were traveling at and the severity of the accident.

Damage to your ribs could also cause serious chest pain. Bruised ribs are a common outcome in crashes that throw you against the steering wheel or seatbelt. If you have bruised ribs, expect tightness and general soreness in addition to chest pain. Broken ribs are a bit more serious, often causing excruciating pain. Depending on which rib is broken and the way it broke, you may be told to rest until your bones heal or you may require surgery.

Some injuries that cause chest pain are life-threatening. Ruptured veins and arteries can cause you to bleed to death, as can internal organ damage. Ruptured internal organs can cause serious internal bleeding, which is fatal when untreated.

Of course, a heart attack is always a possibility when you have chest pain. Heart attacks can be brought on by stressful situations, such as car accidents.

Your Next Step

No matter how certain you are that your chest pain is mild, seek medical attention immediately after a car accident. While your chest pain could be the cause of a deployed airbag or bruising from a seatbelt, it could also be a sign of internal bleeding or a torn artery. If you have a serious injury, waiting too long to seek care could be fatal. Keep documentation of any care you receive, including diagnostic tests, pain management, and surgical procedures.

Compensation for Your Pain

If your car accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your financial and non-financial losses. Going to the doctor after a car accident can be expensive, especially if you have to take time off of work to heal.

When you consider the cost of diagnostic work, surgery, prescription medications, and follow-up care, it’s easy to see how your accident could cost you tens of thousands of dollars. The liable party should be held accountable for these expenses, which is why it’s important to talk to an attorney after your crash. We can help you gather evidence, analyze the cause of the accident, and build a case against the liable party. You could receive compensation for:

  • Medical bills and other expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish

Discuss Your Claim with Burns, Cunningham & Mackey

After a car accident, it’s time to explore your legal options. The team at Burns, Cunningham & Mackey is here to help you understand your options, explain possible outcomes, and create a plan for your personal injury claim. To set up a time to talk, call us at 251-432-0612 or contact us online.

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