Common chest Injuries

Unfortunately, chest injuries happen frequently with auto accidents and motorcycle accidents. The force of impact in a car wreck ofter can injure a person’s chest in many ways, some being severe injuries.

The team at Murphy Law Firm works hard every day to help families recover financially from the negative affects caused by chest injuries and fight against insurance companies.

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Did You Suffer a Chest Injury As a Result of a Georgia Car Accident?

Chest injuries happen frequently in an auto accident. If they do, you should be aware of the signs and get treatment right away. It is possible that if the auto accident was not your fault, you may be able to recover compensation for significant chest injuries

Below is a list of some common chest injuries we have helped victims of a Georgia auto accident receive compensation for:

Common Chest Injuries

• 
  Bruised Ribs
  
• 
  Chest Muscle Strain
  
• 
  Chest Injury: Internal Organs
  
• 
  Sternal Fracture (Injury to the Sternum)
  

Why Do Chest Contusions Happen In Auto Accidents?

Seat belts can be a major cause of pressure injuries and bruising in the chest area during a car accident.

The dash or steering wheel- Chest contusions can also happen if the chest area has struck the dashboard or the steering wheel or if the airbag has been deployed in an accident. Because the chest houses many of the most important organs in the human body, injury to the chest cavity can cause serious injuries.

Some of these serious injuries include:

• Internal bleeding
• Ruptured aorta
• Ruptured spleen
• Damage to various internal organs
• Heart arrhythmia
• Myocardial contusion (bruised heart)
• Collapsed lung
• Pneumothorax ( punctured lung)
• Broken ribs

It is extremely important to seek medical attention if you are having chest pain after a car accident, as it could be a sign of a more serious injury.

At Murphy Law Firm our attorney team is ready to answer your questions about what to do after a serious or fatal accident in Georgia. We make it a point to provide useful, free information, so you can make an educated decision before you choose to hire an attorney.

Broken Ribs from a car accident:

Injuries from car accidents resulting in rib fractures can be minor while others can require hospitalization and even surgery.  If you have been in a car accident and now have chest pain, read below for more information.

Many victims of car accidents suffer from what is commonly referred to as a cracked rib or ribs.  According to the Web MD website, even if you do not actually have a broken rib, a break in the cartilage surrounding the ribs is also often referred to as a rib fracture. Not surprisingly, the most common cause of the injury is direct, sudden pressure on the chest (as occurring in car accidents).

Having a rib fracture could also mean that you have injured your lungs, blood vessels, or spleen, therefore, you must consult a doctor immediately upon injury. Since the ribs protect your organs beneath them and allow you to breathe, even minor rib cage injuries can be extremely painful.

Symptoms of a rib fracture include pain while breathing, or when applying pressure to the breastbone, shortness of breath, headache, anxiousness, dizziness, and drowsiness.

Depending on the extent and type of your rib injury, treatment may vary. Many rib fracture victims, however, undergo treatment at home. On the other hand, those with serious rib injuries (including injuries to internal organs) may require hospitalization and heavy doses of medicine.

At Murphy Law Firm we have helped clients who have endured a rib fracture. Some of the injuries have been minor while others have required hospitalization and even surgery. If you have a rib fracture (cracked ribs) as a result of a car accident that was not your fault, call us at 770-577-3020 for a free consultation with an attorney. There is absolutely no obligation.

Chest Muscle Strain:

The feeling of a dull, aching chest pain after a car accident can be a strain to the muscles of the chest. While this type of injury may not be life-threatening, it is important to seek medical attention after your accident to make sure that the injury is not something more serious.

Chest Injury: Internal Organs

Chest pain from a car accident can be the sign of a potentially life-threatening injury to a major organ, the heart. Chest pain can also be a sign of a heart attack. Other signs that a serious injury has occurred include: fatigue, shortness of breath, headache, and dizziness.

Sternal Fracture (Injury to the Sternum) 

The doctor at the hospital said that I had a sternal fracture from my car accident.

Most injuries that I see from car accidents are usually to the neck or back. The “whiplashing” effect from the trauma of a car accident is what causes this type of accident to occur. Recently, I have seen a few clients with a sternum injury from a car accident.

One client actually had a sternal fracture. A fracture of the sternum, or breastbone, is located at the center of the chest. This probably happened because your chest struck the steering wheel or dashboard, or is injured by the seatbelt.

The sternum is a strong bone and if there is enough force to crack or fracture it, you might have other injuries to the lungs or heart, which are protected by the sternum. It is critically important to have follow-up medical treatment. It is possible for the hospital to misdiagnose or find that you do not have a sternum fracture when you actually do. It’s important to know the symptoms of a fractured sternum. If you continue to have these symptoms even after being evaluated at the hospital, you may want to be reexamined by your own personal physician.

Here are some symptoms of a fractured, or cracked, sternum:

• Chest pain at the time of the injury. There is sharp pain, which can worsen with breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Your chest may also ache when you lay down.
• The breastbone may be swollen and bruised at the site of the injury.
• In severe fractures, the sternum may look deformed due to movement of the fractured bone. There can also be increased pain with any twisting or lifting motion.

Remember, it is critically important to know if you have a fractured sternum, because it could indicate damage to the internal organs as well. If you are suspected of having a fractured sternum, x-rays will be performed. The medical facility may also perform a CAT scan as well. If a fracture is diagnosed, the next concern will be for the lungs and heart. The doctors may also need to perform an MRI, electrocardiogram, and other tests to determine if your internal organs are injured.

Most sternum fractures do not require a brace or cast. Usually, the sternum will heal on its own over time. A doctor may prescribe pain and inflammation medication, rest, and limited movement. Unfortunately, the healing process can take several months and may require physical therapy. In some cases, surgery may be required to repair the fractured bone or when the fracture is displaced.

What to do if you have a chest injury from a car accident:

The expense and pain that you may suffer with a chest injury caused by a car accident can be severe. The cost associated with the medical care needed to recover from mild, moderate and severe chest injuries can be very high, and you may be entitled to compensation from the insurance company.

An experienced Georgia accident attorney can help you maximize the recovery your family can get to help you financially recover from your injuries and the trauma of the accident.  The attorney at Murphy Law Firm has over 25 years of experience helping clients recover from auto accidents.