A car accident can leave victims with a range of injuries, but trauma to the chest is among the most serious. From fractured ribs and collapsed lungs to internal bleeding and cardiac complications, these injuries can threaten your health and future.
At McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers, our Salt Lake City car accident attorneys have over 40 years of experience and have recovered more than $500 million for injury victims across Utah. If you suffered a chest injury in a crash in Salt Lake City, UT, we’re here to help you understand your legal options and fight for the compensation you need to recover.
Contact us today, or call us at (385) 462-7630, to schedule a free consultation.
At McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers, our Salt Lake City car accident attorneys can assist you by:
Founded over two decades ago, our firm has helped the people of Salt Lake City, Utah, recover substantial compensation after they suffered injuries resulting from the misconduct of other parties. We can guide you through every step of the legal process with compassion and dedication.
Contact our law office to arrange a free consultation with a Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer.
Whether you have been in a rear-end, sideswipe, or a head-on crash, there are numerous types of chest injuries you could have sustained. The following are the most common.
Soft tissue injuries encompass a range of conditions, including muscle strains, sprains, and tears in the chest wall. These injuries typically take a few hours or even days to manifest symptoms. That’s because pain begins when swelling does.
Most people assume that soft tissue injuries are not severe, but they can cause lasting pain and stiffness that could be permanent. You could even require surgery.
Rib fractures are some of the most common chest injuries in collisions. The airbag’s deployment or the force that the seat belt may exert on you can all result in rib breaks. Minor fractures can cause real pain that impacts your mobility and could prevent you from breathing normally. In the most serious cases, the broken rib could puncture a vital organ. This is a medical emergency.
It’s also possible to fracture your sternum, also called your breastbone. A minor break can leave you with stiffness and range of motion issues for weeks.
Pulmonary contusions are bruises that impact your lungs. Hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or airbag with significant force can cause bruising to the lungs, leading to bleeding, swelling, and potentially low blood oxygen levels.
A pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the space between the chest wall and your lung. This accumulation of air puts a significant amount of pressure on the lungs, leading to breathing problems. This is a life-threatening injury that requires immediate medical assistance.
A hemothorax is a condition in which blood pools in the space between the chest wall and the lungs. This can lead to a collapsed lung, low blood oxygen levels, and severe chest pain. It’s an emergency that requires draining the blood from the cavity. In the most severe instances, surgery could be necessary to prevent further complications.
In an accident, it’s also possible to hurt your aorta, which is the body’s largest artery. Damaging this blood vessel can lead to life-threatening blood loss.
If you have sustained a chest injury in a car accident, it’s essential to speak with an attorney. With representation, you will have a clearer idea of what your options are for filing a claim.
At McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers, our team of attorneys can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We can provide the dependable and compassionate legal support you need after an accident.
Reach out to us for a complimentary consultation with a Salt Lake City car accident attorney.
