Blunt force trauma to the chest is a common occurrence in car crashes and can cause victims to suffer one or more broken ribs. This injury is incredibly painful, especially when trying to breathe.
If you sustained a rib injury in a car crash and it was the result of the other driver’s negligence, our experienced Windsor auto accident lawyers may be able to help you seek compensation for your medical costs, lost wages and other damages.
There are no upfront costs with our services and an initial legal consultation is free of charge. We have a proven history of success, helping crash victims with the legal process and recovering the compensation they need.
Call today to learn how a lawyer
may be able to help: (866) 320-4770.
How Can a Car Crash Cause Broken Ribs?
Some crash victims get hit in the chest during a crash. For example, you could slam into the steering wheel or dashboard. Even your seat belt or the airbag could hit you in the chest with enough force to cause a rib injury. Our bodies were not built to absorb the force that is generated by a sudden, violent stop.
If you break your ribs, you are likely to suffer other related injuries. For example, the blow could cause a strain to the soft tissues around your ribs. This may include bruising or costochondral separation, which is when your ribs get separated from the cartilage connecting your breastbone to your ribs. You could also suffer an intercostal strain, which is an injury to the intercostal muscles that connect your rib bones together.
One of the most serious rib injuries is a flail chest injury, which is when at least three ribs suffer fractures in two or more places. This causes your rib cage to look misshapen.
Common Symptoms of Broken Ribs
If you suffered a blow to the chest in a car crash, watch for these symptoms, as they could indicate a rib injury:
- Tenderness in your rib cage
- Atypical breathing patterns
- Pain when you breathe
- Bruising or bleeding from your mouth or nose
- Trouble swallowing
- Coughing, wheezing or whistling when breathing
- Difficulty speaking
- Pain when moving your torso or your arms
Potential Complications From a Broken Rib Injury
While broken ribs are painful enough, there are secondary complications that could be potentially fatal. For example, a broken rib could puncture your lung. A rib fracture at the top of your ribcage could cause a traumatic aortic injury, such as a puncture, tear or bruise.
Broken ribs could also cause lacerations of the kidney, liver or spleen. This could occur if you suffer a fracture of the bottom two ribs.
Given the possibility of these complications, it is vital that crash victims seek medical care right away. If you wait, you may be at a high risk for fatal complications. Even if you do not have a dangerous complication, you should not delay treatment. Broken ribs are incredibly painful and you do not want to prolong your recovery.
How Are Broken Ribs Treated?
Broken ribs often heal on their own. However, the more severe the injury, the more likely it is the victim will need surgery. This is particularly true if the fracture caused complications, such as cardiac or lung damage.
Other treatments may include physical therapy to help regain strength and range of motion, breathing exercises and pain management. Often, victims need to take it easy for a while to allow the bruising to heal and for the fractured bones to come back together.
What Is a Broken Rib Claim Worth?
There is no on-size-fits-all answer to this question, as it depends on the severity of the injury and the treatments victims require.
The length of your recovery period also affects the value of your claim, along with long-term complications from the injury. If you have long-term breathing problems, it may affect your ability to continue working. You may need to change careers or work fewer hours than normal.
You can seek compensation for the physical pain from your injuries, along with the emotional toll your injuries take. For example, being unable to participate in the activities you once enjoyed can be depressing and hurt your relationships with friends and family members.
At Greg Monforton and Partners, we are committed to securing full compensation for all the damages from your car crash broken rib injuries.
Do Insurers Tend to Undervalue Rib Injury Claims?
One of the reasons crash victims should hire lawyers is that insurance companies tend to undervalue claims. For example, insurers undervalue pain and suffering, as they want to focus more on the cost of your medical care.
This is why you need to get medical care right away and consult a lawyer to explain how you can document economic and non-economic damages. Despite the seriousness of your injuries, insurance companies are going to look for any reason to underpay your claim.
Call Greg Monforton and Partners After a Car Crash
Crash victims often need significant compensation to help them cover their medical bills. There are also other damages for which victims should be compensated, like pain and suffering.
Greg Monforton and Partners has secured more than $300 million in compensation for our clients, many of whom were involved in motor vehicle crashes. We can guide you through the legal process as we seek full compensation for your damages.
No upfront costs. Contact us to learn more: (866) 320-4770.