People involved in car crashes frequently suffer broken ribs. The force of an airbag inflating or the impact of the torso hitting a door panel, steering wheel or seat back can crack one or more ribs.
The problem with broken ribs is that the jagged edge of a broken bone can damage internal organs, such as causing a punctured lung. A lesser rib injury, known as bruised ribs, while painful, can be shrugged off by some people. But both broken and bruised ribs can be painful enough to limit breathing, which can lead to pneumonia. Pneumonia can be life-threatening, particularly in older people.
If you suffer a blow to the chest that causes continued pain that increases when you inhale, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. If you have sustained broken ribs in a car accident caused by another driver in Kentucky, you should speak to our car accident attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer. It’s important to understand your legal options if you have been injured in a crash caused by someone else. Our Kentucky Courage attorneys are ready to help you seek compensation for your medical bills, lost work time, pain, suffering, and more.
Signs and Symptoms of Bruised and Broken Ribs
Ribs are long, thin bones that are prone to breaking from a direct blow to the chest or rib cage. When subjected to trauma, the ribs may fracture or break into two or more pieces.
An X-ray or other imaging test can determine whether you have broken ribs.
The main symptom of broken ribs is pain when taking a deep breath, sneezing, laughing, or coughing. There may also be bruising or swelling around the ribs.
The term “bruised ribs” refers to a contusion in the soft tissue above the rib cage. The main symptoms of bruised ribs are pain, swelling, and skin discoloration. Breathing, coughing, laughing, or sneezing can all cause pain.
Bruised and broken ribs heal on their own in most cases. A doctor may prescribe medication to control pain and reduce inflammation. A patient may be prescribed breathing exercises to ensure they keep their lungs fully inflated as they heal.
Because the risk of complications increases with age, older patients may require hospitalization.
Broken ribs typically heal in 6 to 8 weeks.
Pneumonia and Other Potential Complications from Broken Ribs
A patient with one or more broken ribs may take short shallow breaths because of the pain, and try to move as little as possible. But not taking full breaths can lead to the collapse of the air sacs in the lower reaches of the lungs. That can subsequently lead to pneumonia.
The more ribs you have broken, the more dangerous the injury. In patients older than 65 years of age, each additional rib fracture increases the risk of pneumonia by 27% and the risk of death by almost 20%, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
The Mayo Clinic says about 30 to 35% of people over 65 with rib fractures contract pneumonia.
If broken ribs are bent or displaced, they may puncture the lungs or another organ, or major blood vessels. This requires immediate surgery to put the ribs back in place and prevent further complications.
A more serious rib injury known as flail chest — two or more contiguous rib fractures with two or more breaks per rib — may require surgical stabilization. This is a serious operation that requires a lengthy recovery.
If you have suffered broken ribs due to another driver’s negligence and you have incurred medical costs to treat broken ribs
What Should I Do About Possible Broken Ribs?
Some Kentuckians return to work and simply grit their teeth at the pain of bruised or cracked ribs. But it’s important to take precautions and seek prompt medical attention to prevent further complications.
If you have suffered a blow to the chest or rib cage, you should see a doctor if:
- It hurts when you inhale
- You have difficulty breathing
- You have a very tender spot in your chest or rib cage.
While some people do manage the pain and heal within a month or two, a person with broken ribs can develop pneumonia or other complications requiring medical intervention.
Many people worry about the cost of medical care and losing income if they are hospitalized or receive doctor’s orders to rest. But if someone else has caused your injury, you may be entitled to hold them financially responsible for your medical expenses, lost income, and other losses related to the injury. You may seek compensation by filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s auto liability insurance or other insurance policy, depending on the type of accident.
You should see a doctor within 24 hours of being injured in a car accident, a fall, or any other trauma. There are several serious injuries that do not exhibit symptoms until several hours later.
If someone else caused a car accident that injured you, contact an experienced car accident lawyer.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Kentucky
Broken ribs suffered in an auto accident can lead to serious complications requiring hospitalization. A rib injury also can limit your ability to work and support your family. If you or a family member has been injured by a careless driver or someone who was driving while impaired, call our Lexington car accident attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer as soon as possible. We have the knowledge, the resources, and the Kentucky Courage to stand up to big insurance companies and help you pursue full compensation for your losses.
Call Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer at (877) 809-5352 right away to set up your free consultation. Find out how Kentucky Courage can help you get through this.
