When people talk about auto accident injuries, you typically hear tales of broken legs or head injuries, but vehicle collisions can result in chest trauma, as well. Crash-related chest injuries can be relatively minor, but they can also be severe and sometimes even life-threatening.
Many Costa Mesa, California, victims survive these injuries and return to their pre-accident lives, but not without incurring considerable medical costs. Even those relatively minor injuries mentioned above will likely require ongoing treatment from healthcare providers.
What kinds of chest trauma can happen in collisions?
Chest injuries fall into one of two categories: blunt or penetrating. A bunt injury may happen when an object strikes the victim but does not penetrate the skin. A penetrating injury is just the opposite of a blunt injury. They typically occur in situations involving weapons.
Motor vehicle accidents (and falls) are the most common cause of blunt force chest injuries. Three examples of potentially severe chest trauma include:
- Cardiac contusion or bruise. A possibly serious condition that is difficult to detect
- Flail chest. A section of ribs breaks away to dangle freely
- Pulmonary contusion. The leakage of proteins and blood into the lungs (may lead to respiratory distress)
These and other chest injuries typically require extensive medical care, sometimes including one or more surgical procedures. As you can imagine, the treatment expenses victims face can soar into the thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
When auto accident injuries occur through no fault of yours, why should you have to pay for your treatment? The compensation acquired through a successful injury claim can make all the difference in your physical and financial recovery. Learning more about California injury and accident compensation laws can help you determine your next steps.
