Chest Pain After a Car Accident
After a car accident, you may be looking out for common injuries such as whiplash. However, many people ignore chest pain. They may think it’s just stress from the crash. However, chest pain can mean something serious, so it’s best to see a doctor as soon as you experience pain.
Time is of the essence in these situations. The sooner you can get proper diagnostic tests and medical treatment, the sooner you can rule out a potentially life-threatening injury.
Get appropriate medical treatment and get a referral for the appropriate diagnostic imaging to diagnose the pain. A CT scan will enable your doctor to prescribe the best course of treatment and make the appropriate referrals.
Early documentation is also good because it helps avoid issues with your own insurance company. Early medical documentation will prove to your auto insurer or a health insurance company that the car accident was the cause of your pain. If it does turn out to be a more serious injury, you’ve documented the early symptoms and again will be able to avoid many of the problems that arise when an insurance company is refusing to pay for medical treatment.
Common Causes of Chest Pain
Chest pain after a car accident can be caused by a number of issues such as:
- Rib fractures. Hairline fractures or cracks in the ribs may go unnoticed initially but cause pain as they begin to irritate nearby tissues.
Internal organ damage. Injuries to organs like the heart or lungs may not present symptoms immediately but can result in chest pain as complications develop. - Internal bruising. The force of the crash may bruise chest muscles and internal tissues. Pain might not appear right away but can worsen as the bruising develops.
- Muscle strain. Sudden or forceful movements during impact can strain the chest muscles, with pain often increasing as inflammation sets in.
- Whiplash-related injuries: Though typically linked to the neck, whiplash can also strain chest muscles due to rapid forward and backward motion.
Signs of Chest Injuries
Chest injuries may not show up right away. Here are some signs that you may have one:
- Difficulty breathing. Struggling to breathe normally, which may indicate severe muscle strain or lung issues
- Persistent pain. Pain in the chest that doesn’t get better with rest and lasts for several days
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy, which could mean blood circulation issues
- Visible bruising or swelling. Any swelling or noticeable changes in skin color in the chest area
- Sharp pains when moving. It may hurt to move or even breathe, which could point to potential rib damage or severe muscle strains.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Chest pain may show up a few days after an accident and it can be serious. You may have internal bruising or even broken bones, which require prompt medical attention.
A car accident can lead to chest pain and other serious injuries. Get legal help and compensation from a Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC. We provide clients with exceptional legal representation to ensure they reach a full recovery – emotionally, physically, and financially. Schedule a consultation today by calling (281) 347-3247 or filling out the online form.
Source:
aica.com/delayed-chest-pain-after-car-accident/#:~:text=Why%20Does%20Chest%20Pain%20Appear,and%20varied%20response%20to%20trauma.
