Never Ignore Pain or Other Symptoms after a Crash
You should never ignore chest pain if you have been in a car crash or other vehicular collision. Any pain, weakness or other symptoms of an injury of any kind should be checked by a doctor as soon as possible. When you have been in an accident, adrenaline is flooding through your system, often making injuries 
seem less severe. The stress of the crash can also mask issues that should receive attention. Chest Pain can be a symptom of several serious medical issues that should be evaluated by a physician.
Chest pain should always be taken seriously – after a crash or at any other time. The chest and abdomen are home for the most important and the most fragile organs of the human body. When bones break in this area, there is also a risk of damage to the underlying organs. Chest pain after a car crash could be a symptom of damage or risk to the heart, lungs, or other organs in the chest or abdomen. Chest pain after a car crash could indicate:
- Pressure injuries or bruising caused by the impact of the collision.
- Pressure injuries from the seatbelt.
- Injuries from the impact of the ribs/chest against the steering wheel.
- Injuries from impact with the dash board.
- Injuries from impact of the ribs with the door.
Chest pain, especially after impact with some part of the vehicle, could indicate internal bleeding, fractured ribs, a ruptured spleen, or even a bruised kidney. These injuries can cause tenderness in the chest or ribs, pain when breathing, or a “broken” feeling below the skin.
Severe chest pain and difficulty breathing after a car crash could be symptoms of a punctured lung (pneumothorax). If the membrane of the lung is punctured, either because of a broken rib, the impact of the crash, or something that penetrates the membrane, the injury can cause a collapsed lung or other lung injuries.
Heart injuries can also result from injuries sustained in a car crash or other vehicular collision. Heart injuries are often immediately life-threatening. A heart attack can also occur after a car crash. Injury to the heart from the chest impacting the dashboard, the door, or the steering wheel can cause bruising or a myocardial contusion. What you should understand is that often these injuries are not apparent immediately after a collision. The damage from injuries of this kind may not appear for several weeks or even months.
If you are involved in a car crash or any other kind of collision, there are two important things to take from this post:
- If you have any pain, or if you know you were bruised in the accident or your chest impacted the steering wheel, dashboard, or door, go to the emergency room or your own physician and get checked out. Get any injuries you think you have sustained on record. If someone else caused the crash, you might have a case against the person responsible. Further, if your condition worsens, you have proof that the injury was sustained in the crash.
- If you are injured in a collision that was not your fault, it might be wise to contact us or another auto accident attorney to advise you on what you should do or say and not do or say to protect a potential lawsuit. Getting advice from a competent and experienced attorney is the best way to protect your rights and obtain appropriate financial compensation.
At Altizer Law, P.C., we have been helping people injured in car crashes for more than 25 years. If you have been injured in a car crash, call us for a free initial consultation.
