If you have chest pain after a car accident, seek medical attention immediately. Chest pain could indicate serious injuries like broken ribs, internal bleeding, or heart issues. Avoid strenuous activity and monitor symptoms like shortness of breath or dizziness. Even if pain seems mild, get checked by a doctor to rule out internal damage.
Experiencing chest pain after a car accident can be alarming and may indicate serious injuries, from bruised ribs to internal trauma. Even if the pain seems mild at first, injuries like broken ribs, lung damage, or even delayed heart complications can develop over time.
Without proper attention, what seems like minor discomfort could escalate into life-threatening conditions like internal bleeding or a cardiac issue. The uncertainty of what to do next only adds to the stress.
This article outlines the crucial steps to take if you have chest pain after a car accident, helping you determine when to seek medical attention and how to protect your health.
Understanding Chest Pain After a Car Accident
Chest pain following a car accident should never be ignored, as it can stem from a range of chest injuries that may not be immediately apparent.
The force of impact can strain muscles, bruise the chest wall, or even cause fractures that worsen with movement. In some cases, seatbelt pressure—while life-saving—can leave deep bruising or contribute to sternum injuries. Additionally, the sudden jolt of an accident can trigger hidden internal damage, including lung contusions or heart-related complications that may develop hours or days later.
Recognizing the warning signs of a serious injury is crucial. Difficulty breathing, dizziness, nausea, or pain that worsens with deep breaths could signal internal bleeding, a collapsed lung, or cardiac trauma.
Research has shown that blunt chest trauma (BCT) from road traffic accidents accounts for 20% of total trauma-related hospital admissions, with an overall mortality rate of 15% (National Library of Medicine).
Seeking medical evaluation as soon as possible ensures that hidden injuries, minor injuries, or any of the various types of injuries that occur after an accident don’t turn into life-threatening emergencies. Understanding the potential risks and acting quickly can make all the difference in recovery and long-term health.
Common Causes of Chest Pain After Car Accidents
In our experience as personal injury attorneys specializing in car accidents, chest pain is one of the most common complaints we hear from clients. Sometimes, it’s just sore muscles—but other times, it’s a sign of something far more serious.
Here are the top reasons we’ve seen chest pain occur after a crash—and why you shouldn’t ignore it.
Whiplash-Related Muscle Strain
After a crash, your body tenses up, and the sudden impact can strain your chest muscles. This isn’t just about neck pain—whiplash can radiate down, making every deep breath or movement a reminder of the accident. It might not show up right away, but soreness and stiffness can last for weeks, sometimes even longer.
Bruised or Fractured Ribs
Your seatbelt does its job keeping you in place, but the force of impact can leave you with bruised—or even broken—ribs. If every breath, cough, or twist of your torso sends a sharp pain through your chest, this could be why. Fractured ribs take time to heal, and in severe cases, they can cause serious complications like punctured lungs.
Sternal or Clavicle Injuries
Your sternum (breastbone) and collarbone take a lot of the impact in a crash, especially if your chest slams into the steering wheel or airbag. This can lead to bruising, fractures, or deep pain that lingers. These injuries often make it tough to lift your arms or even get comfortable in bed—something you don’t want to ignore.
Heart Contusion (Myocardial Contusion)
Blunt force trauma from a crash can actually bruise your heart. It sounds extreme, but it happens—especially in high-speed collisions. A heart contusion can cause irregular heartbeats, chest pain, and even more serious complications. If you feel faint, short of breath, or notice an unusual heartbeat, this isn’t something to brush off—get checked out immediately.
Internal Organ Damage (Lung or Aortic Injury)
Internal injuries can be silent but deadly. A forceful impact can damage your lungs, leading to difficulty breathing, or even tear your aorta, which is life-threatening. The scariest part? Some of these injuries don’t show symptoms right away. If you have chest pain that worsens, dizziness, or trouble breathing, it’s crucial to seek medical attention fast.
Seatbelt-Related Injuries
Seatbelts save lives, but they can also leave their mark—literally. The force of the belt restraining you during impact can cause deep bruising across your chest, muscle strain, and even fractures. It might feel like soreness at first, but if the pain worsens or you have trouble breathing, it could be a sign of something more serious.
Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung)
A broken rib or direct impact to the chest can puncture a lung, causing air to escape into the chest cavity. This leads to a collapsed lung, which makes it painful—if not impossible—to take a deep breath. It can cause dizziness, sharp chest pain, and a feeling like you can’t get enough air. This is a medical emergency.
Costochondritis (Inflammation of Rib Cartilage)
If you feel sharp pain when pressing on your chest, costochondritis might be the culprit. This is inflammation of the cartilage connecting your ribs to your sternum, often caused by the sudden jolt of a crash. It can mimic heart attack symptoms, but it’s actually a musculoskeletal injury. While not life-threatening, it can be frustratingly painful for weeks.
Esophageal or Diaphragm Injury
The impact of a crash can put extreme pressure on your diaphragm and esophagus, leading to pain when swallowing, breathing, or even speaking. If you’re experiencing acid reflux, difficulty breathing, or unexplained chest pain after an accident, these injuries might be to blame. Left untreated, they can cause long-term digestive and respiratory issues.
Panic Attack or Anxiety-Related Chest Pain
Not all chest pain after a car accident is physical—sometimes, it’s psychological. The trauma of the crash can trigger anxiety or even panic attacks, which can feel just like a heart attack. Tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, dizziness—it’s all real and terrifying. If this keeps happening, addressing the emotional impact of the accident is just as important.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
The first hours of a car accident may be the most distressing. In the middle of the confusion, you might be full of adrenaline, causing you to miss the pain of possible injuries.
It is important to seek medical attention right after a car crash; even if you think you are “okay”, some of the symptoms may appear later. If you don’t receive medical assistance right away or even if you did and it was missed at first, there are some important symptoms to be careful with at first, since they might mean a serious internal injury:
- Severe or worsening chest pain
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Dizziness, fainting, or confusion
- Coughing up blood
- Pain radiating to the arm, jaw, or back
Steps to Take After Experiencing Chest Pain
Stay Calm and Assess Symptoms
Panic can worsen symptoms, so try to remain calm and determine how is your pain and how intense it is. Pay special attention to finding out if you have any of the symptoms above.
Call Emergency Services if Necessary
If your pain feels severe and you have other symptoms like dizziness or you cannot breathe well, call 911 immediately. The sooner you receive help, the better.
Seek Medical Evaluation Promptly
Some injuries, like internal bleeding or fractures, may not be immediately noticeable at first, so even if you are not visibly injured, only a professional can evaluate them appropriately.
Document Your Symptoms and Injuries
Keep records of your pain, medical visits, and test results; this can benefit your future lawsuit. If your injury results from another driver’s negligence, having proof will be important in pursuing a claim.
Follow Medical Advice and Treatment Plans
Listen to your doctors and the prescribed treatment plans, including rest, physical therapy, or medication, to ensure you heal properly and avoid complications.
Potential Compensation for Chest Injuries
If another person’s wrongdoing or negligence directly caused what happened, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your chest injuries from car accidents.
The damages you might be awarded for include the following:
- Medical expenses (hospital visits, surgeries, medication and therapy)
- Lost wages if you’re unable to work due to your injury
- Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional impact
- Future medical costs if future treatments are needed
Be sure to keep detailed documents of your medical records, and contact a car accident attorney to schedule a free case evaluation.
How A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Involving an experienced Las Vegas car accident and injury lawyer to take over your case will not only lift all the weight from your shoulders but could also signify the success of your claim. A great lawyer will be important for:
- Investigating the accident to prove fault and liability
- Collecting medical records and evidence to support your claim
- Negotiating with insurance companies for a fair settlement
- Fighting for you in court if necessary
Have You Suffered a Chest Injury After a Car Accident?
You shouldn’t have to go through a chest injury from a car accident alone. If you’re struggling with pain, medical bills, and doubt about your legal rights, the perfect lawyer is here for you.
At Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Las Vegas, led by Ramzy Ladah, we are committed to ensuring victims get the compensation they rightfully deserve. We are ready to help you!
Call (702) 252-0055 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.
Conclusion
A car accident is a difficult event, but the aftermath can be the worst part. You might start to feel terrifying chest pain after the accident and not know what it could mean. Your pain might be anything from minor bruising to severe internal injuries. Whatever the gravity of your injury, medical attention is crucial.
A professional can find out what is causing your pain, which can be anything from blunt force trauma, seatbelt injuries, airbag deployment, rib fractures, and organ damage, all of which may be dangerous. Being able to recognize your symptoms and act immediately prevents your injuries from getting worse.
If you experience chest pain after a car accident, do not panic, document your symptoms, and reach out for medical advice. And in cases where your accident was caused by someone else’s negligent act, consider contacting a personal injury attorney for a free case evaluation.
