Auto Accident Chest Traumatic Injury
Auto Accident Chest Traumatic Injury – When someone is involved in an auto accident, regardless of the situation, there is always the potential for traumatic injuries to develop. While some of these injuries could be nothing more than a bump or a scrape, others can be quite serious. Based on statistics that have been published by the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT):
- In the United States, between 35,000 and 40,000 people are killed in an auto accident every year
- More than 1,500 of these people are children who are under 15 years old
- On top of this, more than 2 million people sustain serious injuries which could result in disability
These numbers highlight the dangers of being involved in a car accident can pose. One category of injuries that is particularly serious is injuries of the chest. It is important to make sure that these are diagnosed properly so that the correct treatment can begin as quickly as possible.
Auto Accident Chest Injuries: The Lungs
Sometimes, the steering wheel can impact a driver in the chest, leading to a serious injury. There are multiple lung injuries that someone could sustain but one of the most serious is a collapsed lung. To diagnose this injury, there are several different signs that a physician will look for, which include:
- A high heart rate and respiratory rate
- Possible deviation of the trachea away from the lung that is collapsed
- A chest x-ray demonstrating a gap between the lung and the chest wall
If this is seen, the most likely diagnosis is a collapsed lung. The treatment is to remove the air from the chest cavity and allow the lung to re-inflate. This must be done quickly because a collapsed lung can lead to death.
Auto Accident Chest Traumatic Injury: Cardiac Damage
In addition to the lungs, the chest is also home to the heart. Serious chest trauma can lead to life-threatening cardiac damage as well. One of these is called a pericardial effusion. In this injury, fluid fills the sac outside of the heart and prevents it from pumping. Some of the signs of a pericardial effusion that a physician will look for include:
- Distant heart sounds when using the stethoscope
- Abnormalities on an EKG
- A high heart rate with poor pulses and perfusion
- An echocardiogram showing fluid around the heart
In some cases, a pericardial effusion can be an emergent situation that could require a needle to be inserted into the sac around the heart so that the fluid can be drained. If not treated quickly, this can progress to cardiac tamponade, which can be fatal.
Assistance from a Trained Legal Professional
These are only two of the many different serious injuries of the chest that people need to think about. When a serious auto accident results, it is important to reach out to a trained car accident lawyer in Sacramento. All of the details of the accident should be reviewed so that families can make a decision that acts in their best interests. A trained car accident and injury lawyer can lend a helping hand. You and your family could be entitled to financial compensation.
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Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer. Car accidents can lead to severe injuries to the chest. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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Image Credit: This image was seen in its original form on Unsplash. It has been reproduced here with permission/ Auto Accident Traumatic Chest Injury
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