Broken ribs are among the worst injuries car accident victims have to deal with. For one thing, they are commonly extremely painful, but considering your ribcage’s role is to protect vital organs like your lungs and heart, a broken rib can be quite a risky injury that may lead to something much worse.

Some possible symptoms of a broken rib can include:

• Chest pains
• Trouble breathing, or sharp pains when inhaling
• Sharp pain when you apply pressure
• Shortness of breath

How Do You Deal with a Broken Rib?

To get a diagnosis, you will have to get an X-ray that will show if the ribcage is indeed broken. In some cases, the doctor may recommend a CT scan or some other procedure, depending on your condition.

A broken rib will mostly heal on its own with little to no medical intervention. However, it’s very likely to require some pain management medication to get through your healing process, which can take several weeks. Most likely, you will not be able to work at this time, since you may have difficulties moving easily or even sitting at a desk.

However, not everyone is that fortunate. Some rib fractures may require surgery to correct, or the broken bone could have punctured a vital organ like the lungs, in which case the car accident victim may require extensive medical procedures.

Plus, broken ribs make you more prone to complications such as pneumonia. Because your breathing is slightly impaired as a result of the injury, you are more likely to get pneumonia, which will require additional treatments.

Collecting Damages for Your Broken Ribs

Even if you are lucky enough to have a more mild condition, that can still translate into some rather big medical bills, especially if you’re looking at weeks of pain management treatment.

By law, you have the right to seek compensation for all the medical bills, lost wages, and other damages the car accident has created. You will need to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

However, considering that rib fractures can take a long time to heal and that there is a high risk of complications (which can make the claims’ process more difficult to navigate), you should consider reaching out to a St. Louis car accident attorney before filing the claim. Think of it as a safety measure to ensure you don’t hit any bumps along the way, and collect all the damages you’re legally entitled to. An experienced attorney can evaluate your claim and understand the best way to proceed.

Speak With an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

If you’ve suffered a broken rib during a car accident and are seeking to collect damages, contact a St. Louis car accident lawyer now for a FREE consultation. These injuries can result in rather high settlements, considering that they require lengthy treatment and time off work to heal.