Chest pain after a car crash should not be ignored or downplayed. While visible wounds, like fractures, cuts and bruises, tend to draw immediate focus at the crash scene, internal injuries could cause permanent damage or become life-threatening if left untreated. Seeking medical attention right away helps to protect your health by ruling out serious internal injuries or getting you the treatment you need sooner.
Injured in a crash caused by another driver’s negligence in Alabama? At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, our experienced car accident lawyers in Mobile are prepared to help you recover compensation for your medical costs, pain and suffering, and other losses. Call our law offices for a FREE initial consultation.
Experienced Lawyers. Proven Results. Call: 251-888-8888 today.
What Does it Mean If You Have Chest Pain After a Car Accident?
Chest pain after a car crash could result from many different causes, from minor muscle strains to serious health issues. Some of the most common chest injuries caused by the impact of a collision may include:
- Fractured ribs
- Myocardial contusion (bruised heart muscle)
- Internal organ damage
- Bruised or punctured lung
- Heart attack brought on by the stress of the crash
If you were involved in a car accident and are experiencing chest pain, it is important to take it seriously and seek immediate medical attention.
How Do I Recognize the Symptoms?
Chest pain can manifest in different ways depending on the underlying causes, and some chest injuries might not cause immediate pain. Symptoms can develop hours or even days after the accident, making it crucial to monitor your condition closely in the days following a crash. Chest pain can come in waves or cause consistent pain, aches or stabbing sensations. Some individuals may experience difficulty breathing or tenderness when touching the torso area.
When is Chest Pain Serious Enough to Seek Medical Attention?
Any chest pain after a car accident warrants medical evaluation. However, specific symptoms require immediate emergency care:
- Severe Pain: Intense or persistent pain should never be ignored. This may indicate a serious injury requiring prompt intervention.
- Difficulty Breathing: Shortness of breath alongside chest pain can signify a significant issue, such as a lung injury or cardiac problem.
- Radiating Pain: If the pain spreads to your arms, neck, jaw, or back, it may indicate a heart-related issue.
- Nausea or Sweating: Accompanying symptoms like nausea, sweating, or dizziness can suggest a medical emergency.
- Change in Heart Rate: Irregular or rapid heartbeats may indicate distress.
Even with mild symptoms, getting evaluated by a health professional after a car accident is always beneficial. Severe conditions, such as internal bleeding or heart injuries, might not present with severe symptoms initially but can worsen rapidly without proper treatment.
How is Chest Pain Diagnosed and Treated?
After being involved in a car crash, where you seek medical care is important. A hospital emergency room has the staff to perform a thorough examination and may order several immediate tests to determine the cause and extent of your injuries. In addition to a physical exam, the treating physician may order diagnostic testing, like X-rays, CT or MRI scans, to further inspect internal damage, and blood tests.
The treatment provided varies case-by-case depending on the severity of any injuries, but may include:
- Rest
- Prescription medication to ease inflammation and pain
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
Can I Recover Compensation for My Chest Pain Injury?
If another party’s negligence caused your car accident and resulting chest injuries, then yes, you may be entitled to compensation for related medical expenses, lost wages, property damage and emotional distress.
Alabama is one of only a few states that follows a contributory negligence rule to determine fault for a car accident. Unfortunately, this means that crash victims who are deemed even one percent to blame for a crash are barred from recovering any compensation.
This rule is a key reason why you should contact an attorney as soon after your crash as possible. At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we are prepared to fight to protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve.
Insurance Considerations
Alabama law requires drivers to purchase minimum liability insurance in the amounts of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. However, these limits might not be sufficient to cover all expenses related to severe chest injuries.
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you might need to rely on your own insurance coverage. Review your policy to understand your options, which may include:
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Personal injury protection (PIP)
- Medical payments coverage
If you are eligible to seek compensation, our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the insurance claims process and explore all available sources of compensation.
How Can I Prevent Chest Pain From a Car Accident?
You can minimize your risk of sustaining a chest injury in a crash by wearing your seatbelt correctly and correctly adjusting your seat and steering wheel for your body height and driving position.
While not all accidents can be prevented, practicing defensive driving techniques, such as keeping a safe distance from cars in front of you, following traffic laws and being a focused driver, can help.
Injured After a Car Accident? Contact Our Firm to Learn About Your Legal Rights
Chest pain following a car accident should be taken seriously. If you are a victim of a car accident in Mobile, Alabama, and are experiencing chest pain, it is essential to consult a medical professional.
Knowing your rights and legal options can make the recovery and compensation process easier. At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we help injured victims every day, and have a history of proven results. Our legal team is prepared to help you navigate the legal process of recovering compensation so you can concentrate on healing and getting back to your life.
Worried about cost? We accept cases on contingency, which means there are no upfront costs or fees to pay. We only get paid if you do.
Request your free case review today: 251-888-8888.
Andy is the owner and CEO of Citrin Law Firm, P.C. He founded the firm in 1995 with the goal of helping injured people put their lives back together. His passion for protecting injured people has only grown since he opened the doors of Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, and he has a history of winning numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients.