Chest Pain after a Car Wreck in Texas [2023]

When people are injured in a car accident, it’s not uncommon to experience chest pain afterward. It can be a terrifying feeling.

Chest pain can stem from bruising or a muscle strain, but it can also be indicative of a more serious injury, such as a fractured rib, internal bleeding, or even a damaged organ, such as your heart or lungs. That’s why it’s so important to seek medical attention immediately if you or a loved one is having trouble breathing or experiencing chest pain after a car wreck in Texas.

After you seek medical attention, your next call needs to be to an experienced car accident injury lawyer – especially if the accident was due to another driver’s negligence. You may be entitled to substantial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

In this article, the personal injury lawyers at Varghese Summersett Injury Law Group explain chest pain after a car wreck in Texas, the process for recovering compensation, and how our law firm can help. Our attorneys offer no-cost, no-obligation consultations – and if we take your case, we only get paid if we win it.

What are Common Causes of Chest Pain after a Car Wreck in Texas?

Pain in the chest area can result from direct impact or stress placed on the chest during a collision. It is crucial to seek medical attention immediately if you experience chest pain after a wreck in Texas. Reasons why someone may experience chest pain after an accident include:

Seatbelt Injuries

While seatbelts save lives, they can also cause injuries during a car crash. The force of the impact can lead to bruising, fractures, and other chest injuries. The location and severity of the injury depend on several factors, including the force of the impact, the position of the seatbelt, and the individual’s body type and position during the crash.

Airbag Injuries

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) emphasizes that while airbags save lives and reduce the severity of injuries in car accidents, they can also cause injuries, including chest injuries, due to the force of their deployment. The force of the airbag deploying can result in chest pain, bruising, abrasions, and even fractures.

Impact Injuries

A car wreck can cause your chest to collide with the steering wheel or dashboard, leading to severe chest pain and injuries in the chest area. These injuries can include broken ribs, sternum fractures, internal bleeding, organ damage, or punctured lungs.

What are Common Symptoms of Chest Injuries after an Accident?

Common symptoms of chest injuries after an accident includes:

Chest pain or discomfort

This can range from mild to severe and may worsen with deep breaths, coughing, or movement.

Shortness of breath

Difficulty breathing may indicate an injury to the lungs or rib cage.

Bruising or swelling

Visible bruising or swelling around the chest area could indicate broken ribs or internal injuries.

Tenderness to touch

Pain, when pressure is applied to the chest area, may be a sign of a fractured rib or other serious injury.

Difficulty breathing deeply

This may be caused by a punctured lung, broken ribs, or other internal injuries.

Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Heart injuries or strain from the impact of the accident can cause changes in heartbeat.

Coughing up blood

This may be a sign of internal bleeding or lung injury.

Weakness or dizziness

These symptoms may be indicative of reduced blood flow or oxygen levels due to chest injuries.

If you experience any of these symptoms after an accident, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately.

What are Common Treatments for Chest Pain after a Car Wreck in Texas?

The treatment and recovery for chest injuries can vary depending on the type and severity of the injury. For mild injuries, such as bruises or small fractures, rest, pain medication, and ice therapy may be sufficient for recovery. However, more severe injuries such as broken ribs, punctured lungs, or damage to the heart or other organs may require hospitalization and more intensive treatments. Depending on the specific injury, treatments may include:

Pain management

This can include over-the-counter or prescription pain medications, as well as nerve blocks or other pain management techniques.

Breathing support

In cases where the injury has caused difficulty breathing, oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation may be necessary.

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be needed to repair or remove damaged tissue, or to stabilize broken bones.

Physical therapy

After the initial healing period, physical therapy may be recommended to help rebuild strength and flexibility in the chest muscles and improve breathing.

Monitoring

Patients with severe chest injuries may require close monitoring in the hospital or at home to prevent complications such as infections or blood clots.

Recovery time can vary depending on the severity of the injury,  it may take several weeks, months, or even years to fully recover from a chest injury. Regardless of the treatment, if your life has been severely disrupted due to chest pain after a car wreck, it’s important to reach out to an experienced car accident wreck attorney.

When Should You Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer?

You should consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after experiencing a chest injury in a car accident, ideally within a few days of the incident. Here are some reasons why it’s important to act quickly:

• Determine if you have a claim: A personal injury lawyer can help you determine if you have a valid claim and can guide you through the legal process.
• Preserving evidence: A personal injury lawyer can help gather and preserve crucial evidence related to the accident, which may be harder to obtain as time passes.
• Understanding your rights: A knowledgeable lawyer can explain your rights and help you understand the legal process for pursuing compensation for your injuries.
• Statute of limitations: In Texas, there is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Consulting with a lawyer early on ensures you don’t miss the deadline for filing your claim.
• Navigating insurance claims: A lawyer can help you navigate the complex insurance claims process, including corresponding with insurance companies.
• Determining liability: An experienced lawyer can determine who is responsible for your injuries and hold them accountable.
• Calculating damages: A lawyer can help you calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

If you or a loved one has suffered a chest injury after a car accident in Texas, don’t hesitate to contact our skilled car accident lawyers. Call us at 817-207-4878.

How Do I Make a Claim for Chest Pain from a Car Wreck?

If you are suffering from chest pain after a car w
reck in Texas and the accident was caused, or partly caused, by negligence, it’s important to take certain steps to put yourself in a good position for a successful personal injury claim.

1. Seek medical attention immediately after the accident.
2. Document your injuries, medical treatments, and expenses.
3. Gather evidence, such as photographs, police reports, and witness statements.
4. Consult with a personal injury lawyer to evaluate your claim.
5. File a claim with the insurance company.
6. If necessary, pursue legal action in court.

Our lawyers can help with all aspects of the claims process, from gathering evidence, to negotiating with insurance companies, to representing you in court. We will be with you every step of the way.

Can I Sue the Airbag Manufacturer if I Sustained a Chest Injury?

Whether or not you can sue the airbag manufacturer for injuries sustained in a car accident will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. In general, airbag manufacturers have a legal obligation to design and produce airbags that are reasonably safe and effective in protecting vehicle occupants in the event of a collision. If a defect in the design or manufacture of the airbag causes injury, the manufacturer may be held liable for damages.

However, it’s important to note that there are many factors that can contribute to a car accident and resulting injuries, and it can be difficult to determine the specific cause of an injury. Additionally, there may be other parties who are also responsible for the accident, such as the driver of the other vehicle or the vehicle manufacturer.

If you are considering legal action, it’s important to consult with our personal injury attorneys, who can review the specific details of your case and advise you on your legal options. We will investigate the cause of the accident and determine whether there are grounds for a lawsuit against the airbag manufacturer or other parties.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Recieve for a Chest Injury after a Car Wreck in Texas?

Depending on the cause of the car wreck and the severity of the injury, you could be entitled to several types of damages including:

Economic

These damages are based on documented expenses such as hospital and medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs.

Non-economic damages

These damages compensate for intangible damages, such as physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the accident.

Punitive damages

In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish an individual or entities responsible for the car accident, usually due to gross negligence.

Our car accident injury lawyers will work with a team of experts to evaluate and determine the potential value of your claim. We will then pursue the maximum compensation.

How Varghese Summersett Can Help

Understanding the cause of chest pain after a car wreck in Texas and the steps you need to take for proper treatment is essential to your recovery. At Varghese Summersett, our team of experienced personal injury and car accident lawyers are dedicated to helping clients in Texas seek compensation for their injuries.

Best of all, we work on contingency, which means we only get paid after we recover compensation for you. You will never pay anything up-front or out-of-pocket. Call Varghese Summersett today at (817) 207-4878 or contact us online for a free consultation to discuss your case.

FAQs About Chest Pain After a Car Wreck in Texas