Broken ribs are relatively common in a Georgia car accident: according to the Cleveland Clinic, approximately one-third of people who suffer chest trauma fracture at least one rib. While some injuries immediately cause severe pain, others have a delayed reaction until inflammation sets in. This is one of the many reasons why it’s so important to seek medical care as soon as possible after an auto accident.
If your traffic accident and rib fractures were caused by someone else’s negligent or careless behavior, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against them. In this article, we’ll outline the common symptoms of broken ribs and how a car accident lawyer can help you secure fair compensation.
Types of Rib Fractures from Auto Accidents
Rib fractures vary depending on the location and severity of the break. Common injuries include:
- Simple Fractures: With a simple rib fracture, there’s a clean break in the bone, without any fragments or displacement. You'll likely experience localized pain that worsens when you move, take a deep breath, or laugh, but the bone itself remains in proper alignment.
- Displaced Fractures: Displaced rib fractures occur when the broken bone segments move out of their normal position. This tends to happen if your chest or rib cage hits the steering wheel. You may need surgical intervention to realign the bone fragments, potentially resulting in a longer recovery time with more severe complications.
- Multiple Rib Fractures: Triggered by blunt force trauma, multiple rib fractures tend to occur in sequence along your chest wall. You might experience difficulty breathing, chest wall instability, and an increased risk of chest infections (like pneumonia) or lung complications.
- Flail Chest: Flail chest develops when three or more consecutive ribs break in multiple places, creating a floating segment of chest wall. You'll experience paradoxical chest movement, which means that the affected area moves inward when you breathe in and outward when you breathe out.
- Stress Fractures: Also known as hairline fractures, these injuries can develop after a traumatic impact during an accident. You might not notice symptoms immediately, but strong pain can develop gradually over several days or weeks after the crash.
The severity of your rib fracture depends on the force of impact and the location of the break. In extreme cases, you can also sustain painful injuries to your lungs, heart, or other internal organs. You should never assume a rib cage injury is minor, as life-threatening complications can develop quickly.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Rib Injuries
As stated earlier, rib injuries can be felt immediately or days after the motor vehicle accident. This is why it’s critical to report any changes in how you feel, especially when breathing or carrying out normal activities. Signs and symptoms of broken ribs include:
- Sharp Chest Pain: You may experience sharp pain in your chest that worsens with movement, coughing, sneezing, or deep breathing. The pain may be localized to the fracture site or radiate to your back, shoulder, or arm.
- Difficulty Breathing: You might notice shortness of breath, shallow breaths, or reluctance to breathe deeply due to persistent pain. This behavior can lead to decreased oxygen levels and fatigue as your body compensates for reduced lung capacity.
- Visible Bruising and Swelling: You may see dark bruising or discoloration around the fracture site, often appearing as a strap-like pattern (if caused by a seatbelt). Swelling and tenderness around the affected ribs are also common signs of fracture.
- Grinding or Popping Sensations: You might feel or hear a grinding, crackling, or popping sensation when you move, breathe deeply, or press on the affected area. It indicates that bone fragments are moving against each other or air is trapped under the skin.
- Deformity or Irregularity: You could notice an obvious deformity in your chest wall, especially with displaced fractures or flail chest. The affected area might appear sunken, raised, or move differently than the rest of your chest during breathing.
- Pain When Pressed: You'll likely experience intense pain when pressure is applied to the suspected fracture site. Even a light touch or the pressure of clothing against your chest can make the pain worse.
- Fatigue and Weakness: You may feel unusually tired or weak due to the pain and difficulty breathing properly. Your body uses extra energy to cope with the severe injury and compensate for reduced lung function.
Common Complications of Untreated Rib Fractures
Failing to treat broken ribs properly can lead to serious complications that include:
- Pneumonia: When pain prevents you from breathing deeply and coughing, it can lead to fluid and bacteria accumulation in your lungs. You might notice increased fever, chest tightness, persistent cough, or growing shortness of breath if the infection develops.
- Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung): Sharp bone fragments can puncture your lung, causing it to collapse partially or completely. You may experience sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, as well as require immediate medical intervention to re-expand the lung.
- Hemothorax (Blood in Chest Cavity): Broken ribs can damage major blood vessels, causing bleeding into the space around your lungs. You might develop breathing difficulties, chest pain, and internal bleeding that requires emergency drainage and medical treatment.
- Organ Damage: Displaced rib fragments can puncture or damage vital organs like your heart, liver, spleen, or kidneys. You could face life-threatening internal damage or organ dysfunction that requires immediate surgical intervention.
- Chronic Pain and Disability: Improperly healed ribs can cause lasting pain, reduced lung capacity, and limited mobility. You may develop chronic breathing problems, ongoing chest discomfort, and decreased quality of life.
- Blood Clots: Extended bed rest due to untreated rib pain can increase your risk of developing blood clots in your legs or lungs. You might experience leg swelling, chest pain, or sudden shortness of breath if clots form and travel to your lungs.
You should never ignore persistent or worsening chest pain, as these complications require immediate medical intervention. Prompt treatment at the nearest hospital can prevent most of these serious complications and ensure proper healing of your ribs.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Certain symptoms require immediate emergency care, while others warrant prompt evaluation by a healthcare provider. Emergency situations include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Severe pain that doesn't improve with rest
You might also need medical attention if you notice signs of internal injuries, like vomiting blood, coughing up blood, or severe abdominal pain.
Even if your symptoms aren't life-threatening, you should still see a doctor within 24-48 hours of your motor vehicle crash for proper evaluation and treatment. You might need X-rays, CT scans, or other imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis and rule out complications. You'll benefit from professional medical care to manage your pain and prevent problems from developing.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Broken Ribs
Medical professionals use various diagnostic tools to confirm rib fractures and assess the extent of your chest injuries. Common diagnostic methods include:
- X-rays: X-rays provide the first-line imaging for suspected rib fractures. You might need multiple views to capture all angles of your ribs and identify fractures that aren't immediately obvious.
- CT Scans: CT scans offer more detailed images than X-rays and can detect complications like lung tissue damage or internal injuries. You may receive a CT scan if your doctor suspects multiple fractures or potential organ involvement.
- Physical Examination: Your doctor will perform a thorough physical exam, checking for point tenderness, deformity, and abnormal breathing patterns. You'll be asked about your pain levels and how symptoms change with movement or breathing.
Treatment options for broken ribs include physical pain management, breathing support, and preventing complications. You'll typically receive pain medication to help you breathe more comfortably and cough effectively. You might also need breathing exercises or respiratory therapy to prevent pneumonia and maintain lung function while you heal.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help with Your Rib Injury Case
When you demand maximum compensation for your broken ribs, you'll find that insurance companies often try to settle quickly for far less than your claim is worth. You need an experienced attorney who can build a strong case demonstrating the true impact of your rib fractures on your life and future.
Ways a car accident attorney can help include:
- Investigating Your Accident: Your attorney will gather evidence from the crash scene, obtain police reports, and interview witnesses to establish fault. They'll work with accident reconstruction professionals (if needed) to prove how the other driver's negligence caused your rib injuries.
- Building Your Medical Case: Your attorney will work with medical professionals to document the full extent of your rib damage and its long-term implications. They'll ensure all your accident injuries are properly diagnosed and that your treatment plan accounts for potential complications and future care needs.
- Calculating Fair Compensation: A skilled attorney will assess all aspects of your damages, including current and future medical bills, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. They'll also evaluate your pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic damages that insurance companies often undervalue.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: As your legal representation, they will handle all communications with insurance adjusters and won't let them pressure you into accepting inadequate settlements. They'll fight for compensation that truly reflects the severity of your rib injuries and their impact on your life.
- Preparing for Trial if Necessary: If settlement negotiations fail to produce fair compensation, your attorney will prepare to take your case to trial. They'll present compelling evidence to a jury about how your rib fractures have affected your health, work, and quality of life.
- Managing Deadlines and Paperwork: Your lawyer will ensure all legal documents are filed correctly and on time, protecting your right to seek compensation. They'll handle the legal requirements while you recover from your chest injuries.
Get a Free Consultation From a Georgia Rib Injury Attorney
At The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C., we know how rib fractures can change your life after an auto accident. Our experienced team will fight for the financial compensation you need, and we take personal injury cases on contingency, so you don’t pay attorney fees unless we win a settlement or verdict. For more information, call our law firm at (404) 596-8044 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
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