Chest Pain From Seatbelt in Car Accident: Typical Injuries
Chest pain from seatbelt in car accident events is more common than most Fort Myers drivers realize, and it may signal serious internal injuries.
Yes, a seatbelt can cause chest injuries in a car crash. Even though it’s crucial safety equipment, the force exerted in an accident can transfer to the restraint belt across the body, causing bruising, fractures, and internal organ damage.
The best thing you can do after the accident, whether you experience chest pains or not, is to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Then, a Fort Myers car accident lawyer on our team can account for the costs to treat your injuries as well as other damages in your insurance claim or lawsuit.
Chest Injuries Stemming From Seatbelt Restraint
While seatbelts can save lives, they may cause chest injuries. When a seatbelt tightens to forcefully hold the passenger in place, they may be at risk of suffering:
- Bruising
- Abrasions
- Rib and sternum fractures
- Damage to the intestines or organs
- Internal bleeding
- Abdominal injuries
- Torn muscles, ligaments, tendons, or cartilage
When passengers sustain mild chest injuries, they may hurt when they try to move their arm, shoulder, trunk, or ribcage. It’s also common for sneezing, coughing, or breathing deeply to be painful. In these cases, the best medicine may just be time.
When someone sustains a severe chest injury, however, they could have trouble breathing or experience extreme chest pain. These signs may indicate that the individual sustained damage to the heart or lungs. Failure to get prompt medical treatment could lead to permanent complications or even death.
The Importance of Getting Immediate Medical Attention After a Chest Injury
If you didn’t take the ambulance to the hospital or see your primary care physician after the crash, please get medical attention as soon as possible. Even if your chest pain is minor, it’s still in your best interest to go to the doctor. Some injuries can take time to manifest, and by the time someone gets care after waiting too long, they face long-term damage.
In addition, prompt medical treatment signals to the insurance company that your chest pain is a direct result of the crash. The more time you let go by without getting help, the more difficult it is to connect the two, so the insurance company may be more resistant to paying out your claim in full. As such, they may assert that you made your injuries worse or that something else caused them.
How the Statute of Limitations Plays a Role in a Car Accident Case
On the topic of keeping case-related matters moving forward in a timely manner, you must be aware of the state’s statute of limitations. Per Florida Statutes § 95.11, you typically have two years to file a lawsuit.
Not filing by this deadline could jeopardize your right to collect compensation. However, contacting our Fort Myers personal injury lawyers soon after the accident will help us build a claim on time.
Long-Term Impact of Chest Injuries From Seatbelts
Chest pain from seatbelt trauma is not always resolved with rest and recovery. In some cases, patients report chronic pain months after the incident. Rib fractures may lead to abnormal healing, where bones don’t align correctly or cause irritation to surrounding tissues. Internal injuries like cardiac contusions or lung bruising may lead to complications such as arrhythmias, breathing difficulties, or infections.
Psychological impacts can also linger. A sudden, painful injury during a traumatic event may lead to anxiety or post-traumatic stress, especially in drivers or passengers who are fearful of future crashes. Documenting these physical and emotional symptoms is essential when building your claim.
Proving the Link Between Chest Injuries and the Crash
One of the challenges in securing compensation is showing that your chest injuries stem directly from the crash. A Fort Myers personal injury lawyer can help collect medical records, crash reports, witness statements, and expert medical testimony. If the seatbelt left visible bruising or if imaging shows rib fractures consistent with sudden force, this becomes robust evidence.
The attorney can also bring in accident reconstruction experts. These professionals use crash data and vehicle damage to simulate the collision’s force, helping to establish that the seatbelt was indeed the source of the injury.
Role of a Fort Myers Car Accident Lawyer in Chest Injury Claims
Having a Fort Myers car accident lawyer can be invaluable in these cases. Besides gathering evidence and managing deadlines, your lawyer negotiates with insurance companies that may try to downplay your injuries. They know how to quantify your pain, medical expenses, and long-term effects to ensure your settlement truly reflects your needs.
If your case involves severe injuries or liability disputes, your attorney may recommend filing a personal injury lawsuit. This formal process enables the discovery and testimony that can pressure insurers into more fair settlements.
Additional Costs Related to Chest Injuries After a Crash
In addition to direct medical bills, chest injuries can incur a variety of secondary expenses. These may include:
- Costs for extended rehabilitation sessions
- Medications for long-term pain management
- Home care services if mobility is reduced
- Travel expenses to and from medical facilities
- Lost wages due to recovery time
Each of these expenses can create a significant financial burden on victims and their families. A Fort Myers car accident lawyer will take care to include these in your total claim valuation. Their experience helps ensure no cost is overlooked.
Preventing Further Injury After a Seatbelt-Related Chest Injury
After sustaining chest pain from seatbelt in car accident events, it’s essential to protect yourself from further harm. This may mean avoiding strenuous activity, following physical therapy protocols, and adhering to all medical advice. Any attempt to resume regular activity too soon can worsen your injury and hinder healing.
By working closely with healthcare providers, you can chart a realistic path to recovery. At the same time, maintaining consistent treatment records—especially those that document your chest pain from seatbelt in car accident—creates a clearer picture of your condition for your legal claim. This dual benefit — physical recovery and legal validation — can be essential to moving forward.
We Can Help After You Suffer Chest Pain From a Seatbelt in a Car Accident
If you suffered chest pain from a seatbelt in a car accident, our team can fight for your right to compensation. If the insurer tries to reduce or deny your claim, saying you were greater than 50% at fault, we will fight back.
Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today at (954) 633-8270. Our personal injury lawyers cost you nothing upfront.
