Injuries to the upper torso or chest are some of the most serious injuries resulting from a motor vehicle accident. In some cases, chest injuries in Wesley Chapel car accidents can be fatal.
When you or a loved one suffers a chest injury in a traffic collision, contact a local lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced auto crash attorney at Distasio Law Firm could help you navigate the state’s complex car accident claim process and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
How a Vehicle Accident Could Result in a Chest Injury
In a motor vehicle collision, the impact could propel the driver and front seat passenger forward. Depending on the person’s position in the vehicle at the moment of impact, their body shape, and whether they were wearing a seat belt—their upper torso might absorb a significant blow.
Anyone wearing a seatbelt could experience an injury from the pressure of the seatbelt holding them as their body propels forward toward the windshield. Seatbelt pressure can cause significant bruising at low speeds and more severe injuries at higher speeds.
The driver’s chest could collide forcefully with the steering wheel, and the passenger’s chest might slam against the dashboard. These impacts could cause crushing injuries to the chest. An airbag deployment could produce similarly severe crushing injuries.
Chest Injuries Can Be Severe
Minor crashes can cause chest bruising or contusions. These are painful but usually resolve without medical intervention within a few weeks. However, more catastrophic accidents can cause chest injuries involving the internal organs. These injuries can be life-threatening.
Some of the devastating effects of chest injuries from car accidents include the following:
- A buildup of blood in the chest cavity (hemothorax)
- Damage to the diaphragm, heart, lungs, trachea, and esophagus
- Fractured ribs, which could puncture a lung and require surgical repair
Depending on the specific circumstances of the crash and the victim’s overall health, any of these chest injuries could lead to a heart attack, collapsed lung, or other life-threatening conditions.
Chest injuries suffered in Wesley Chapel auto accidents often require surgical intervention, and recovery could be slow. A person who undergoes chest surgery must take substantial time off work and may be unable to participate in activities they once enjoyed.
Claiming Compensation for Your Injuries
Florida’s no-fault system requires drivers to have personal injury protection (PIP), which covers injuries to anyone in the car. If the PIP coverage limits are insufficient to pay your medical expenses and other losses, you may use the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage.
However, sometimes, neither PIP nor the at-fault driver’s liability insurance provides sufficient coverage to reimburse an injured person’s losses. In such a situation, you could sue the at-fault driver for damages if you have a serious injury. Florida Statutes § 627.737 defines a serious injury as one that produces:
- Permanent, significant scarring
- Permanent loss of a vital function
- Other permanent injuries
- Death
A skilled Wesley Chapel auto accident attorney like Scott Distasio could help prove that your chest injuries caused sufficient damage to be considered serious injuries under the statute.
If you bring a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, you must prove the driver is negligent. Evidence that a driver was violating the law, driving an unsafe vehicle, or was not competent to drive safely because of a physical or mental impairment could be proof of negligence.
Seek Damages for a Chest Injury with a Wesley Chapel Car Accident Attorney
Suffering chest injuries in Wesley Chapel car accidents could severely compromise a person’s health. Many such injuries are fatal.
Contact Distasio Law Firm immediately if you suffered chest injuries in a motor vehicle wreck. Our team of dedicated attorneys could help you present your claims to the insurance companies and ensure you receive fair payments for your injuries. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
