Chest pains are a serious concern after a car accident. Although seat belts are meant to protect car occupants, they can cause severe harm during a collision. Their ability to save lives can sometimes turn to harm victims when a vehicle crashes.
Imagine the unsettling likelihood of sustaining significant injuries. Chest pains, fractures, and internal damage, all from a gadget that is supposed to safeguard you. The thrust of a crash can slam you hard against a safety belt, leading to unintended consequences.
It’s necessary to promptly take action after sustaining a safety strap injury. By contacting a Houston Car Accident lawyer, you can start weighing your options for seeking compensation for your suffering.
Seat Belt Syndrome
When an accident happens, the sudden stop and contact with the safety strap can cause internal and external harm. This unique collection of symptoms is referred to as seat belt syndrome. It often presents as pain, discomfort, or bruising in the chest and abdomen area. These symptoms can be a sign of the following conditions.
- Skin Abrasions: These injuries are noticeable and tend to appear diagonally across the abdomen and chest. They can be superficial scrapes or signs of internal injuries.
- Fractures: Vulnerable bones include the ribs, spine, and sternum. If left untreated, bone fractures in the chest area can puncture internal organs leading to internal bleeding and other complications.
- Muscle Injury: Trauma from seat belt impact can tear or pull the muscles and tendons in your chest. This can cause soreness and reduced mobility.
- Internal organ damage: This chest injury can be fatal. The organs at risk are vital to your body and usually include the lungs, heart, and spine.
Common Seat Belt Injuries
Though often minor, common seat belt injuries, can be severe based on the type of auto accident. In most cases, victims suffer abrasions and bruises where the belt touches the body, especially across the chest, shoulders, or abdomen. In more complicated cases, seat belts can cause the following injuries:
- Fractured lumbar spine
- Mesenteric and bowel injuries
- Lacerations to the spleen and liver
- Kidney and pancreas injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Dislocations
Buckling up helps to keep you safe inside your car. Without wearing the belt properly or if the restraint system malfunctions, the risk of such injuries significantly increase.
Delayed Chest Pain After Car Accident
The immediate shock and rush of adrenaline can mask signs of chain pain after a car accident. Any discomfort that appears days or weeks after the crash shouldn’t be overlooked. It could be a symptom of an underlying issue that can cause more harm without the required attention. Delays in chain pain can be caused by:
- Internal Bruising: The force of the crash can leave bruises on the chest, which might not show pain until the injury worsens.
- Muscle Strain: Abrupt, forceful movement during an auto accident can irritate chest muscles, causing delayed aches as inflammation kicks in.
- Rib Fractures: Small cracks or fractures in the ribs may not be clearly visible until they start harming nearby organs and tissues, causing pain.
The time frames for delayed symptoms vary. Some victims experience pain immediately, while others notice it many days later. This shows how the body reacts differently to a stressful event.
Post-Accident Symptoms
The most tell-tale sign of seat belt syndrome is the noticeable, seatbelt-shaped bruising that appears across the chest and abdomen. This should be a clear sign that you need medical help. Sometimes, however, the symptoms are subtler.
You might experience soreness in the chest when you breathe or move, for example. Other symptoms to watch out for include:
- Vomiting or coughing blood
- Painful or labored breathing
- Weakness or dizziness, which could indicate internal bleeding
- Leg weakness, which might be caused by spine injuries.
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Reduced upper body mobility
What Should You Do If You Experience Chest Pain?
Visit a healthcare facility immediately if you have chest pains. This is regardless of whether you are experiencing symptoms or feeling okay. Similarly, you should never underplay any discomfort after a car collision. An evaluation might uncover a condition that could be treated before it worsens.
Get Help From a Houston Car Accident Attorney
Seat belts are designed to protect vehicle users. This, combined with the delayed symptoms common to seat belt injuries, can deter victims from seeking help. They might suffer in silence for weeks or months after the accident. Doing this can harm them physically and reduces their chances of a successful claim.
After a crash, immediately discuss any chest pain seat belt with your doctor and an attorney. If you don’t already have a lawyer, contact Husain Law + Associates, P.C. to set up an appointment with a Houston Car Accident Attorney.
Contact Husain Law to discuss your liability with an expert Houston Car Accident Attorney, Explosion Lawyer and Airlines Injury Lawyer.
FAQs
How Long Does Seat Belt Syndrome Last?
To determine the exact length of time a seat belt syndrome takes isn’t easy. It often depends on the severity of the harm sustained. With proper care, minor injuries like bruises heal quickly. More complicated cases can take prolonged recovery periods.
How Long Does it Take for a Seat Belt Injury to Heal?
Recovering from seat belt injuries depend on the type and complexity of harm. A surface-level injury normally recovers quickly within a few days on its own. However, serious injuries like broken ribs that cause considerable discomfort may take long to go away.
What Causes Chest Pain After a Car Accident?
Normally, blunt force trauma can cause chest pains after a vehicle crash. Forceful contact with the dashboard or the steering wheel can result in fractures and bruises or internal organ damage.
