Have you been involved in a car accident recently? You might not realize the extent of your injuries until a doctor evaluates you thoroughly.
The fact of the matter is that some injuries do get worse in time in the absence of treatment. This is why it’s very important to monitor your health and take notice of any symptoms that appear following the accident.
If you are experiencing chest pains after your accident, it is especially important to see a doctor. Here are the most common causes of chest pains after a car crash, and which ones can pose serious health issues.
Common Causes of Chest Pains after a Car Accident
Chest pains often indicate an internal injury. Internal injuries like soft tissue bruises and tears can often be overlooked after a car accident since they may not show external signs.
Here’s why that happens. Your body releases adrenaline in your brain during stressful events, such as a car accident. It is a very natural response when you are in a dangerous situation. However, this adrenaline rush can mask the pain and leave you with the wrong impression that you are not as injured as you really are.
This possibility of masked injuries is why any car accident victim should go to the doctor for an evaluation, even if they feel relatively good after the collision.
When it comes to chest pains, here are the most common causes:
- Being projected into objects inside the car: the steering wheel, car seats, dashboard or doors
- Injuries caused by the safety systems: seatbelts, harnesses or airbags
- Heart attack caused by the extreme stress of the situation
- Broken ribs, clavicles, sternum
- Lung damage like punctured lungs
- Soft tissue injuries
- Injuries to the internal organs, followed by internal bleeding
When Does It Get Serious?
Some of the injuries mentioned above can lead to others, like a broken rib that punctures a lung or a ruptured spleen that causes internal bleeding. These situations can easily be life-threatening, and a trip to the emergency room is mandatory.
Damage to the internal organs, internal bleeding or extreme stress on the cardiovascular system should be treated immediately.
Taking Care of the Legal Process after a Car Accident
When dealing with such serious injuries, your top priority should be your health. Take all the time you need to recover and follow the doctor’s instructions closely. It would be in your best interest too to hire a St. Louis auto accident lawyer. They can guide you throughout the process and defend your best interests in the claim you will make toward the insurance company. That way, you can rest assured that your medical bills will be paid and you won’t have to struggle if you need to miss some time off work to recover.
Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE case evaluation.