Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms people experience after being in a car accident. It’s particularly common after rear-end collisions, as the force from these crashes can press drivers and passengers forcefully into their seat belts. Chest pain after a car accident could indicate anything from broken ribs or a bruised sternum to life-threatening conditions like a heart attack or damage to internal organs. If you experience chest pain after a car accident, see a doctor right away – then call an experienced Houston car accident attorney.
Understanding Chest Pain After a Car Accident
Chest pain after a car accident often stems from the traumatic force of the crash. When a vehicle suddenly stops or jerks, an occupant’s body keeps moving until something stops it. That “something” is usually the seat belt, steering wheel, or the car’s interior. This impact can strain muscles in the chest and abdomen, bruise the chest wall, or cause rib fractures.
Without a seat belt, an occupant’s chest might also slam into the steering wheel or dashboard. While airbags are meant to cushion the force of impact, they can also put intense pressure on the chest. A serious collision causes the body to absorb a lot of force in fractions of a second, which can lead to bruising, fractures, and more severe injuries.
7 Common Medical Causes of Chest Pain Following a Car Accident
Some potential medical reasons for chest pain after a car accident include:
- Bruised or fractured ribs – The impact of a seat belt or collision with the steering wheel can crack or bruise the ribs and cause chest pain, especially when breathing or moving.
- Muscle strain – Sudden jarring motions during a crash can strain muscles in the chest. Soreness from these injuries may last for days.
- Sternum injuries – A direct hit to the chest can bruise or fracture the breastbone (sternum), resulting in pain in the center of the chest.
- Internal organ damage – Blunt trauma can injure internal organs like the lungs or heart. In addition to causing severe chest pain, these injuries can lead to life-threatening conditions.
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) – A broken rib or blunt force can puncture the lung, causing air to escape into the chest cavity and create sharp pain that worsens over time.
- Cardiac contusion – A forceful blow from a collision can bruise the heart muscle, which may lead to chest pain and irregular heartbeats.
- Costochondritis – Inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum can develop after physical trauma from a crash. Chest pain from these injuries sometimes mimics symptoms of a heart attack.
Seat Belt Syndrome Injuries and Hidden Damage
Seat belt syndrome refers to a range of often-delayed injuries (including chest pain) that result from being slammed against a seat belt during a collision. Common symptoms of seat belt-related injuries include bruising across the chest and abdomen that follows the path of a seat belt across the body. However, the pressure from the body pressing against the seat belt can also cause more severe internal injuries that aren’t immediately obvious. Seeking medical attention immediately after a crash can help reduce the risk of common seat belt injuries.
When Is Chest Pain a Sign of Something Serious?
Never ignore chest pain after a car accident. Pay particular attention if the pain worsens, spreads to other parts of your body, or accompanies symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea. These are potential signs of a severe issue like a punctured lung or heart damage. Pain that intensifies when you breathe or move may also point to internal injuries such as soft tissue injuries. If your chest pain isn’t going away – or if you feel unsure about what’s causing it – it’s time to see a doctor.
What To Do if You Have Chest Pain After a Car Accident in Houston
If you have immediate or delayed chest pain after a car accident in Houston, see a doctor immediately. Save your medical records, bills, and other records related to your treatment. Don’t talk to any insurance companies without speaking to a lawyer first, as you might say or do something that hurts your legal case. Finally, talk to a car accident attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the sooner they can investigate the crash and start building your claim.
How Chest Pain Impacts Your Car Accident Injury Claim
Chest pain is a severe injury that can disrupt your life in many ways. You can and should seek compensation for your injuries and how they have impacted your life. The compensation you’re entitled to might increase substantially if your chest injury has had significant adverse effects.
An experienced car accident attorney can identify who caused the crash, document your injuries, link them to the accident, and manage your claim for fair compensation, which could include money for the following:
- Current and future medical expenses related to your severe injuries
- Lost income while you heal
- Reduced future earnings due to your injury
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- The cost to repair or replace your car or other damaged property
Can You Prevent Chest Pain After a Car Accident?
It is difficult to prevent chest pain from an accident, if not impossible. However, you can reduce the risk by wearing your seat belt properly and keeping your seat in an upright position. Avoid leaning too close to the steering wheel, as this behavior increases the chance of injuries from deployed airbags. Seek medical care right away, as early treatment can help you manage your pain and prevent complications from hidden injuries.
FAQs About Chest Pain After Car Accidents
Seat belts are designed to protect us, not hurt us. As such, it’s understandable to feel confused and uncertain if you’re dealing with chest pain caused by a safety feature ostensibly meant to prevent injuries, not cause them. With that in mind, here are the answers to some common questions about chest pain after car accidents.
Is it normal to have chest pain days after a car accident?
Yes, it’s common to feel chest pain for several days after a car accident. Bruised muscles, sore ribs, or seat belt injuries can take time to heal, and the pain may linger or come and go. However, just because it’s “normal” to experience chest pain for several days after a collision doesn’t mean the pain is harmless. If your pain is getting worse instead of better, or if you haven’t seen a doctor yet, seek medical care as soon as possible.
Can a seat belt cause internal injury?
Yes, seat belts can cause internal injuries and blunt force trauma, especially in the event of high-speed crashes. While seat belts are an essential piece of safety equipment, the force they apply across the chest and abdomen can sometimes cause bruised or fractured ribs, damage to internal organs, or internal bleeding. These injuries may not be apparent immediately, which is why it’s crucial to be on the lookout for any unusual pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath after a crash. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
How do I know if my chest pain is serious after a crash?
Chest pain after a car accident can be a sign of a serious injury, especially if the pain worsens over time or comes with other symptoms. Here are some signs that your chest pain might indicate a serious injury:
- Pain that intensifies when you breathe, cough, or move
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- Pain spreading to your shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw
- Swelling, bruising, or tenderness in the chest area
Car accident victims should seek medical attention immediately if they experience any of these symptoms.
Do airbags cause chest pain?
Yes, airbags can cause chest pain, even though they’re designed to protect you. When a crash happens, airbags deploy in a split second and with extreme force. This rapid inflation helps cushion your body and prevent more severe injuries. However, the force of the airbag hitting your chest can cause bruising and other injuries. While chest pain from an airbag is usually mild and temporary, it’s still a good idea to see a doctor to make sure there’s no hidden damage.
Can I sue for chest pain after a car accident in Houston?
Yes. Chest pain is a compensable injury in car accident claims, particularly when it is a symptom of a more severe, underlying injury. Serious injuries require extensive medical care, and they can have related costs, including lost income if they necessitate time off work. Chest pain can also limit your activities and affect your overall quality of life. You can demand compensation for all these losses and more as part of your car accident claim.
Contact Our Houston Car Accident Attorneys to Learn More
With certified personal injury specialists on our team and over $1 billion recovered for our clients, Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs has the staff, the resources, and the track record of success that you want when results matter most. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with our Houston car accident lawyers.
