Recovering from a Chest Contusion
Whether it’s only a parking lot fender bender or a serious accident that causes major damage to your vehicle, car accidents can be an annoying and sometimes traumatic experience. This is especially true for those who sustain injuries in their collisions, as these individuals may need to pay for expensive medical bills, while also being forced to take time off from work. To learn more about recovering compensation for your own accident-related injuries, please contact our dedicated Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyers today.
What are Chest Contusions?
Chest contusions occur when a person experiences internal damage to the blood vessels, tissues, muscles, and ribs located inside the chest, usually as a result of blunt force trauma. Although these injuries don’t break the skin, they can still be serious, especially if they cause blood to begin forming beneath the skin. There are also a number of vital organs in the chest region, all of which can be put at risk in the event of a severe impact.
Chest contusions are usually accompanied by tenderness, swelling, and pain at the site of impact. Those who suffer from these types of injuries often experience more pain when breathing, or when lying down, as these actions can place pressure on the chest. It is important, however, for accident victims to keep in mind that just because there are no external signs of a chest injury, does not mean that they are injury free, as those individuals could still be suffering from internal damage.
Chest Contusion Causes
Car accident-related chest contusions are usually the result of a person’s body coming into contact with a stationary object. Seat belts, which are specifically designed to tighten against the body, in particular, are often the cause of chest contusions. Similarly, airbags, which inflate nearly instantaneously and with great force can cause serious chest injuries in vehicle occupants.
Steering wheels can also pose a risk to drivers who experience significant impacts. Finally, some chest injuries are the result of glass from broken windows or other debris flying around the car during impact. In severe cases, debris can even become lodged in a victim’s chest.
Compensation for Chest Injuries
Chest contusions can take anywhere from a few days to a few months to heal completely, which means that an injured party could end up stuck with significant medical bills. This can be extremely frustrating, especially for those who were injured through no fault of their own. Fortunately, car accident victims who suffer serious injuries and who can prove that someone else’s negligent or reckless conduct was the cause of their accident can recover damages compensating them for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Call Today for Help with Your Case
To learn more about filing a claim against the person or entity who caused your own injuries, please contact the dedicated car accident legal team at Boone & Davis today. There is no charge for initial consultations, so please don’t hesitate to call our office at 954-566-9919 at your earliest convenience.
Resource:
crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/810857
