What causes chest pain after a car accident?

Car accidents are devastating situations for any Washington resident. In addition to the emotional trauma you might suffer, things can be even worse if you suddenly experience chest pain. Sometimes, this pain is hidden until your symptoms appear days later.

Understanding the causes of chest pain after a car accident

Car accidents can leave you suffering delayed chest pain due to various injuries. In many cases, it’s common to not immediately realize that you have been injured because of the adrenaline rushing through your veins. One reason for chest pain after an accident is bruised or fractured ribs, which often occur when your body is jolted violently forward against the seatbelt. Rib injuries can cause difficulty breathing due to severe pain.

An even more serious reason for chest pain after a crash is that an internal organ has suffered damage. If your heart is affected, it can be life-threatening and should be considered a medical emergency. However, other internal injuries such as a punctured or collapsed lung are also emergency situations.

What to do when having chest pain after a crash

If you have chest pain after a vehicle crash, don’t ignore it. You may have serious injuries that require immediate medical attention. Go to the nearest hospital emergency room so that you can have diagnostic tests done to determine the nature of your injuries and get the right treatment. You may be given X-rays, CT scans or an MRI.

Tell the doctor everything you can remember about the car accident and when your chest pain started. Informing them about what you might have made contact with during the collision could help when the doctor orders testing and decides how to treat your injuries.