Rib Fractures After Car Accidents in Manhattan: How Serious Are They?

If the only injury you’ve suffered after a car accident is a fractured rib, you might feel relatively fortunate. After all, there are far worse injuries you might have experienced, and a broken rib should heal relatively quickly. But what if your fractured rib is more serious than you realize? Should you still see a doctor? Could you be eligible to pursue compensation alongside an experienced auto accident lawyer in Manhattan?

How Does a Car Accident Cause a Fractured Rib? 

Car accidents commonly cause fractured ribs. The cause is almost always blunt force trauma, as the impacts involved in a car accident can be strong enough to break bones. A common scenario is a driver jolted forward by an impact, causing them to impact their rib cage on their steering wheel. A vehicle occupant might also strike their abdomen on the door, the dashboard, or any other hard surface.

Even soft, flexible surfaces can cause rib fractures with sufficient force. For example, an airbag might inflate into a person with enough force to break ribs. The same logic applies to a seat belt, which folds across an occupant’s abdomen. When the seat belt tightens during a crash, it can cause rib fractures.

How Serious Is a Broken Rib? 

Ribs can break in various ways, and some types of fractures are more serious than others. If the rib breaks without actually coming loose, you might have only suffered a “stress fracture.” This type of break is relatively easy to treat, and you probably won’t need surgery. A displaced fracture is more serious, and this involves a “clean break” that completely severs part of the rib bone. These displaced fractures are more likely to need surgical intervention.

Perhaps the most serious complication of a broken rib is organ damage. When a rib breaks, it can cause shards of broken bones to impact the organs. These sharp bone fragments can lacerate or puncture vital organs, including the heart, lungs, and spleen. If this occurs, surgical intervention might be extremely important. This potential situation also highlights the importance of seeing a doctor as soon as possible after your injury, even if you’re not sure how serious it is.

Can an Auto Accident Lawyer in Manhattan Help Me?

If you’re recovering from a car accident, the first thing you should do is see a doctor. Medical professionals can examine your fractured rib, give you a clear diagnosis, and let you know how serious this issue really is. A fractured rib could be a sign of something more severe, such as organ damage. Once you see a doctor, continue this conversation with Cohan Law, PLLC. Our experienced car accident lawyers in Manhattan may be able to help you pursue compensation.

Source: 

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17434-rib-fracture-broken-rib