What Does Chest Pain After a Car Accident Mean?
A car crash is a jarring experience. It happens in an instant. Unfortunately, the effects can linger for days, weeks, or even longer.
In the aftermath of an accident, chest pain is one of the most alarming symptoms you might encounter.
What does chest pain after a car crash mean?
There are a number of reasons why this pain might be happening. Let’s look at a few reasons.
Did One of the Following Happen During Your Jackson, MS Car Crash?
If you suspect or know one of these issues occurred during your collision, take caution:
The Seatbelt Pressed Into You
Your seatbelt is designed to save your life. However, it might have caused some bruising or even minor injuries.
During a collision, the force of your body being restrained by the seatbelt can result in bruises across your chest and ribs. These might feel tender or sore in the hours and days after the crash.
In some cases, the seatbelt’s force could lead to a sternum injury or even fractured ribs. This doesn’t mean the seatbelt malfunctioned, but it did what it was supposed to do. Unfortunately, injuries are common. If your chest pain feels sharp or you have difficulty breathing, you should get checked out immediately.
Your Airbag Deployed
If your car’s airbags are deployed, that force is anything but gentle. This can happen with incredible speed and power. The rapid inflation can cause bruising, soreness, or even small burns to the chest area.
Depending on the impact, this type of pain might feel dull or like a deep ache. Any pain following an airbag deployment should be checked out. Sometimes, it could be a sign of internal injuries.
Bad Injuries You Could Have Suffered in Your Car Accident in Jackson, MS
Here are car crash-related injuries that can be enormously painful and create further problems if left untreated:
Rib and Sternum Injuries
Even if the seatbelt or airbag didn’t cause visible bruising, the impact of the crash itself might have caused rib or sternum injuries. Rib fractures are common in car accidents. They can cause intense pain, especially when breathing, laughing, or coughing.
Sternum fractures are also possible. These happen during high-impact crashes. In turn, it might make every movement feel difficult. The pain might feel like a dull ache or a sharp jolt.
Muscular Strain and Whiplash
Chest pain after a car accident can also result from strained muscles. The violent jerking motions your body experiences during a collision can strain your chest muscles. You might have some soreness that feels like an internal bruise.
Whiplash can also lead to chest discomfort. When your upper body is thrown forward and then backward, your chest muscles and ligaments can overstretch.
Internal Organ Damage
Chest pain could indicate something more serious, like damage to internal organs. Your heart and lungs in your chest cavity are all vulnerable during a collision.
For example, blunt trauma to the chest can lead to a bruised lung (pulmonary contusion) or even a punctured lung in severe cases. According to the Mayo Clinic, these symptoms can include shortness of breath, intense pain, or a sense of pressure.
Your heart is another organ to monitor. A condition called myocardial contusion can occur when your chest is subjected to force. If your chest pain feels sharp or radiates to your arm, shoulder, or jaw, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Delayed Symptoms
Sometimes, chest pain after a car crash does not always appear right away. Adrenaline floods your body during a crash. In turn, that can mask chest pain and other symptoms. Hours or even days later, you might start to notice discomfort that wasn’t initially there.
No matter when the pain begins, you will always want to err on the side of caution and consult a healthcare provider.
What To Do If You’re Experiencing Chest Pain
If you’ve been in a car accident and are feeling chest pain, your next steps are important.
Even if the pain feels mild, get it checked out. Chest pain is always a symptom worth investigating. Make sure to visit a doctor or emergency room as soon as possible. An X-ray, CT scan, or other imaging may be necessary to rule out fractures or internal injuries.
You also want to pay attention to other signs like difficulty breathing, dizziness, or pain that spreads to other areas. These symptoms could indicate something more serious.
Even if initial tests don’t reveal major issues, you will want to follow up with your primary care physician.
Chest pain after a car crash isn’t something to shrug off or ignore. While it might be caused by something as minor as a bruise, it could also be a sign of a more serious injury.
And if your injuries were the result of a car crash in Jackson, there are options. Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, offer consultations to discuss your situation.
