One of the leading claims for personal injury cases after a car accident centers around rib injuries, including both soft tissue and broken bones. Unfortunately, many of these injuries are not immediately apparent and can take a couple of days to exhibit symptoms.
There are things you should understand about rib injuries before you settle an accident injury case.
Soft tissue injuries are often delayed
Soft tissue injuries, or bruising of the muscle tissue and flesh around your ribs, typically do not show up for a couple of days after the accident. Much like many other instances of bruising and muscle strain, you do not usually feel the pain and discomfort until you have had time to rest. Before you dismiss the accident and claim you are unhurt, give yourself a couple of days to rest and for symptoms to appear.
Rib injuries can be catastrophic
If you notice pain or discomfort in your ribs following an accident, seek medical care immediately. Rib injuries can be catastrophic because severe fractures can cause splinters to puncture a lung. In severe cases, this can lead to a collapsed lung or death. The only way to assess the severity of fractured or broken ribs is through an x-ray. Make sure that you seek that care right away.
Rib injuries can heal well with proper treatment, but understanding the risk of severe injury is important. Neglecting rib injuries can be a severe threat to your health. Seek medical intervention as soon as possible and ensure that you get sufficient restitution for your injuries.
