Car accidents can create numerous injuries and health complications simply because of the intense force and impact. While many injuries are noticeable right away, thanks to bleeding or pain, others, including broken ribs, are not always clear. At White Law PLLC, our Okemos car accident lawyer will help you navigate the financial losses you are facing if you now have injuries due to another person’s negligence.
Common Signs of a Broken Rib
In many situations, a broken rib will cause pain, but some people mistake this pain for soreness after the accident. In every single case, it is better for you to go to the hospital and get a full exam to rule out any health complications before they worsen. That is especially true if you have any of these common signs of a broken rib after a car accident:
- Tenderness in the rib area that seems to be worsening over time
- Trouble breathing, often a tightness in your chest
- The sensation of bones scraping against each other or intense rubbing that may be hard to explain
- Pain that intensifies when you bend or twist your body
- Swelling and bruising on your skin, which could indicate internal bleeding is occurring
- Intense pain when coughing
If you have any type of discomfort while breathing, do not wait to get medical care. Your ribs can damage your lungs, and this type of injury can worsen over time. Most importantly, you want to protect your life when there is any risk of lung or heart damage from a broken rib.
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Types of Rib Injuries Common After a Car Accident
There are numerous ways ribs can suffer damage after a car accident, and it is not always through a fracture. The only way to know what is occurring in your case is to visit the emergency room for a full-body scan or x-ray. Keep the following types of rib damage in mind:
- Sprained and bruised ribs : This occurs when you are hit with a significant amount of force, and the trauma leads to bruising and damage to the muscles that help to hold the rib cage in place. Your bones are not necessarily broken, but this type of pain can lead to intense soft tissue injuries.
- Cracked ribs : A cracked rib is one in which there is a very fine, often called hairline fracture present. This type of pain can be intense, but it is less painful than that of a full broken rib.
- Broken ribs : This term is more of a serious incident when the rib is broken significantly, and there may be jagged ends to it. Those ends can damage blood vessels, pierce your lungs, or cause other injuries to your internal chest cavity. Your pain is likely much more severe in this case.
It is possible to have damage to your ribs and not feel it right after a car accident. Due to the adrenaline moving through your body, you may not feel much pain at all, yet, the damage is there and will become obvious in the hours and days that follow. That’s why it’s so important to know what to do after a car accident.
Why Your Rib Pain Is Worse Now than After Your Car Accident
Ribs are very strong bones, as they act like a protective cage to protect your heart, lungs, and other vital organs. Yet, they do not have nerves and you cannot feel them from the inside out. When you are in a car accident, the bones absorb that force and impact, and often they break as a result.
You may walk away from your accident with a broken rib and not have a clue it is occurring. Most of the time, pain will worsen in the first 12 to 48 hours but can go days without becoming obvious. This is due, as noted, to the adrenaline in your body as well as the overall lack of sensation in that area.
New onset of pain during life after a car accident is nothing to ignore, and it certainly is something you should seek out treatment for as soon as it happens. Not doing so can lead to complications, including damage to other organs and infections. If you have pain that limits your function after a car accident, get to the doctor.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
The Consequences of Poorly Healing Rib Injuries
Many times, doctors will provide bracing and other strategies to hold the bones in place to allow the body’s natural ability to heal to help you recover. However, some people need additional support, and surgeries are not uncommon. The problem is a lack of treatment and support can lead to complications to your health and well-being, including:
- Mal-union : This occurs when there is a fracture that does not heal properly, often leading to an abnormal position for the ribs. This can lead to pain when bending or twisting and, in some cases, ongoing difficulties.
- Non-Union : Another potential problem occurs when the rib bones do not heal at all. They cannot, for any reason, heal fully. This may require a surgical procedure. There are various reasons this can occur, including poor blood supply or displacement.
- Delayed union : In another situation, the ribs heal, but it takes a long time, often six months or longer. This can be due to underlying health conditions or other risks. It may mean long-term impairment and limitations on your ability to work.
When you have any type of abdominal pain and discomfort brought on by a car accident, get in to see a medical professional right away. Doing so is critical to protecting your health and minimizing risk. Then, reach out to your attorney.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Schedule a Consultation with Our Car Accident Attorneys Now
When you contact White Law PLLC for help with your car accident injuries, we work hard to prove you are owed compensation and estimate the total impact of your loss. With our experience and dedication to our clients, we have helped them recover millions of dollars in losses. Call our office to set up a consultation with a Detroit car accident lawyer to discuss your case with us.
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