Auto accidents frequently cause chest injuries. Although most chest injuries are mild, some cause deadly blood clots and internal bleeding. If you experience chest pain after a collision, you should go to the emergency room. Then, you should call an Atlanta chest injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.
At Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers have successfully represented chest injury victims for decades. We’ll deliver the best customer service and the greatest result. Our prior victories and our 5-star client reviews validate that promise.
Call us today at (404) 939-9470. Also, you may fill-out our online contact form to schedule a free case review with an Atlanta chest injury lawyer. If you’ve got questions, we’ve got the answers.
Common Chest Injuries
Your chest contains two vital organs: the heart and lungs. Those organs supply your body’s blood and oxygen. They’re protected by your rib cage. However, if an impact force cracks your ribs, it could also damage your heart and lungs. In fact, blunt force chest injuries have a 60% fatality rate.
Chest injuries may also harm:
- The upper abdomen
- Primary blood vessels
- The sternum (a.k.a. the “breastbone”)
- Esophagus
- Collarbone; and,
- Nearby muscles and soft tissues.
Common Chest Injury Incidents
Motor vehicle accidents: Car crashes cause most chest injuries. If you’re experiencing pain in your upper chest after an accident, you’ve likely suffered a chest injury. Some victims compare chest injury pain to heart attack symptoms.
Many car accidents damage the lungs. If you’re struggling to breathe after an accident, you may have suffered a collapsed lung. Penetrating chest injuries often cause oxygen to escape from the lungs. The oxygen then builds-up and pressurizes the chest cavity. Eventually, that pressure causes the lung to collapse.
Some motor vehicle accidents cause milder chest injuries, such as seat belt bruising. When your vehicle senses an impact, it locks your seat belt to prevent you from moving. That safety mechanism saves many lives. However, it also causes painful bruises and abrasions. Fortunately, those wounds health within a few days.
Airbags also frequently cause chest injuries. Your vehicle deploys airbags when it senses that the impact force may cause injuries. Airbag deployments save many lives. However, they sometimes cause rib fractures.
Slip and Falls: Hazardous property conditions often cause slip/trip and fall incidents. You might suffer a chest injury if you fell down an unsafe staircase or you were struck by unsecured store merchandise. If so, you should contact an Atlanta chest injury lawyer.
Accident Compensation
Many chest injury victims wonder, “how much is my claim worth?” The answer is: “it depends.” Generally, severer chest injuries settle for larger sums than milder injuries. However, all injury victims can typically recover the following types of damages:
- Medical bills;
- Lost income;
- Pain and suffering;
- Diminished quality of life;
- Scarring and disfigurement;
- Emotional distress
Once you hire an Atlanta chest injury lawyer, your lawyer will file an insurance claim. Then, when you complete your medical treatment, your lawyer will attempt to settle your claim. Approximately 50% of injury claims settle pre-suit. If the insurance adjuster won’t pay you what you deserve, your lawyer will file a lawsuit.
How To Prove Your Claim
If someone’s carelessness caused your chest injuries, you can sue them for damages. You must prove the following elements to win your case:
1. The defendant was careless. For instance, the driver sped, drove intoxicated, or distracted. Or, the property owner failed to repair a dangerous condition.
2. The defendant’s carelessness caused your injuries. For example, the driver struck your vehicle and your steering wheel crushed your chest. Or, an unstable stairwell collapsed underneath you while you were walking out of your apartment.
3. You suffered damages, such as medical bills and pain and suffering.
Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers Can Help You
We can help you if you suffered chest trauma due to someone else’s negligence. Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and skills to maximize your settlement.
Call us today at (404) 939-9470. Also, you may fill-out our online contact form to schedule a free case review with an Atlanta chest injury lawyer.
