Chest Pain After a Car Accident

Georgia lawyers who fight for injured victims

Some people experience pain in the chest area after a car accident but may not be sure if it’s something to be concerned about. Chest pain after a car accident should always be taken seriously because it could be an indication of an injury that needs treatment. It’s important to get medical attention. Then, you should get legal advice.

At Gary Martin Hays & Associates, our experienced Georgia car accident lawyers understand the impact a chest injury can have on victims and their families. That’s why we fight back against the insurance company’s attempts to minimize your injuries. Our job is to help you recover the financial compensation you need and deserve.

Chest injuries can result from:

Contact with an object
During a collision, your body can be thrown against the steering wheel or dashboard with great force, resulting in blunt force trauma.

Airbags
During a crash, an airbag can help save lives. But the deployment happens with such force that the airbag can also cause injuries.

Seat belts
In an accident, a seatbelt will tighten to restrain your body in the seat. But the force of this restraint can be enough to leave you injured.

Following an accident, you may feel chest pain on the left or right side. You may have difficulty breathing. You may also have delayed chest pain after a car accident. The body releases adrenaline and endorphins during a crash, both of which can help reduce feelings of pain temporarily. Chest pain can also be short-term or long-term; in some cases, people still experience chest pain months after a car accident.

Diagnosing chest pain after a car accident

How do you know if a chest injury is serious? You need to be examined by a doctor – don’t wait. Whether your chest pain is mild or severe, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. A doctor can examine you and order an X-ray, MRI, CT scan, or other tests to help diagnose the cause of your chest wall pain.

It’s normal to have a lot of questions going through your mind after a crash. “Is my injury serious? What does a chest contusion feel like? What does a bruised lung feel like? How long does a chest strain take to heal? How long does chest pain last after a car accident?”

Be sure to tell the doctor about all the symptoms you are experiencing. A doctor can then properly diagnose, treat, and document your injuries.

Chest injuries can range from mild to severe. They include:

Broken ribs
Muscle strains
Chest contusion (visible bruising)
Lacerations
Bruised heart (myocardial contusion)
Bruised lung (pulmonary contusion)
Bruised ribs
Bruised sternum
Punctured lung
Burns (from airbag deployment)
Lung irritation (caused by cornstarch used in airbag deployment)

Treatment for a chest injury can involve surgery, hospitalization, medication, home health care, and multiple follow-up appointments with doctors and specialists. Medical expenses can add up quickly and become overwhelming. If a negligent driver caused the accident that left you injured, you should not be responsible for paying these expenses.

Our car accident lawyers fight for your rights

Negligent drivers cause accidents when they speed, run red lights or stop signs, text behind the wheel, or drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. So if the other driver caused your accident, their insurance company will pay all of your damages. Simple, right?

Unfortunately, it’s usually more complicated than that. Negligent drivers often deny doing anything wrong and won’t accept responsibility for what happened. Their insurance companies will take their side because they want to pay you as little as possible.