Chest injuries are some of the most common problems people suffer from after car accidents and can range from minor to life-threatening. If you were involved in a collision and experienced chest pain, you might have undergone surgery and spent time in the hospital. You may also require follow-up care.
Even if your injury was minor, an Orlando chest injury lawyer could help you seek compensation for the losses you have suffered and will experience. We could help you negotiate an insurance settlement or file an Orlando personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Call our Orlando office today to speak with a member of our legal team.
How a Car Crash Causes Chest Injuries
Striking the steering wheel or dashboard with significant force can cause damage to the ribs or one or more internal organs. Ribs that are fractured can be particularly painful and can cause serious complications.
For example, a broken rib may poke or tear a nearby organ. If that happens, the accident victim may need surgery to repair the damage. In many cases, an individual hurt in a car accident will experience chest pain but be unsure of the source.
X-rays and other tests can pinpoint the location of the injury.
Chest Injuries Associated With Auto Accidents
Common injuries associated with car and truck accidents may include:
- Broken or bruised ribs
- Punctured lungs
- Pulmonary contusions
- Collapsed lungs
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Internal injuries
These types of injuries can be life-altering and require extensive medical treatment. If you have suffered a chest injury in an accident, it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible.
What Is a Pulmonary Contusion?
A pulmonary contusion is a bruise on the lungs. This severe injury occurs when the lungs are compressed, which can happen in an auto accident.
The symptoms of a pulmonary contusion include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and coughing up blood. A pulmonary contusion may require hospitalization for treatment.
The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention
The severity of the injury will depend on the speed and force of the collision. Sometimes, a person may not experience symptoms until days or weeks after the crash. That is why it is important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible after an accident.
A car crash can sometimes trigger a heart attack. A collision’s sudden and unexpected trauma may cause cardiac arrest immediately, or it may occur hours or even days following the accident. Seeking prompt medical attention after a serious car wreck could save your life.
Even if your injuries are minor, getting prompt medical care is important to the success of your personal injury case.
How an Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You
If you suffered a chest injury related to a motor vehicle accident and the other driver was at fault, a lawyer can help you seek compensation from that individual or their insurance carrier.
Exhausting Your PIP Coverage
First, however, you must go through your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage associated with your auto insurance policy. Since Florida is a no-fault state, all drivers are required to seek compensation for medical bills through their PIP coverage, according to Florida Statutes § 627.736.
PIP covers 80% of medical expenses considered reasonable and a portion of income lost because of an accident.
Pursuing an Insurance Settlement
After exhausting your PIP coverage, you may be able to pursue a settlement from the responsible party’s insurance company. An Orlando accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance adjuster to ensure you receive a fair settlement for your losses.
Your lawyer will review all the evidence related to your case, including medical records, police reports, and witness statements. Our team will also calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Filing a Lawsuit
If you are hurt badly enough to meet the criteria laid out in Florida Statutes § 627.737, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party and seek a financial award to compensate you for losses that your PIP will not cover.
For example, PIP will not compensate you for pain and suffering. If you file a lawsuit, you can pursue a financial award that will cover your physical and mental suffering, medical bills, and lost income above the limits of your PIP coverage.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf. Our experienced trial lawyers are more than willing to fight for the compensation you deserve in court.
Available Compensation After an Accident
If you have suffered a chest injury in an Orlando car accident, you may be entitled to several forms of compensation. An experienced Orlando chest injury attorney can help you pursue the financial award you are owed.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be able to pursue a financial award that covers economic and non-economic damages, including the following:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish or emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
A personal injury lawyer experienced with serious motor vehicle accidents can help you understand your legal rights and options. We will review the evidence related to your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Determining Liability in an Accident
To pursue a financial award, you must be able to prove that the other party was at fault for the accident. Your lawyer will review all the evidence related to your case to determine who is responsible.
We will also investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify any potential sources of liability. This process may include examining whether or not the other driver was negligent or if any hazardous road conditions contributed to the crash.
Potentially Liable Parties
Liable parties in a car accident may include the following:
- The driver of the other vehicle
- The owner of the other vehicle
- The manufacturer of a defective auto part
- A government agency responsible for maintaining the road
Your lawyer will review all the evidence related to your case and determine who is liable for your injuries.
We will also review applicable insurance policies and determine if there is enough coverage for your losses. We will then negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and fight for a fair settlement.
If that doesn’t work, we can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party and seek a court award.
Shared Fault
Often, one driver is not entirely to blame for a car crash. For instance, one person may be distracted by a cell phone, while the other may be speeding. Each driver may have a different level of liability.
If you were partly responsible for the crash, you might still be entitled to compensation under comparative negligence. Florida Statutes § 768.81 allows an injured person to receive a financial award, even if that individual’s actions or negligence contributed to those injuries.
A financial award can be reduced in proportion to that person’s liability. Our experienced team could work on your behalf to ensure that fault is assigned fairly. Every case is different, but our goal is to absolve you of any fault in the accident.
Florida Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits
You have a limited window of opportunity to take legal action. Florida Statutes § 95.11(3) states that the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit related to negligence is four years. Even if the accident only happened recently, it may be in your best interest to reach out to a personal injury attorney now.
Investigating, filing a lawsuit, and working to settle can be a long process. While all that is happening, you may be unable to work and fall behind on your bills. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner you can receive the compensation you need.
An accident lawyer from our firm could help you seek justice and financial recovery for your losses. We will fight to ensure that you are treated fairly by the insurance company and receive full compensation for your injuries.
Get Legal Help After an Accident
Chest injuries resulting from a car accident may have far-ranging implications. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may have had to undergo one or more expensive medical procedures, and your condition may permanently impact your ability to work or perform basic household tasks.
Don’t settle with the insurance company for less than your case is worth. An Orlando chest injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can evaluate your case during a free consultation. Contact us today so our team can get to work for you as soon as possible.
We Can Help.
