Suffering the trauma of an automobile accident can leave you struggling to put your life back together. Many factors can contribute to multiple injuries or ailments. Oftentimes, vehicles can catch on fire after a crash and produce toxic smoke, or you may have suffered an injury that has affected your ability to breathe.
Broken ribs, inhalation of smoke, or impacts to the face or chest with an airbag are only a few injuries that can leave you struggling for air. The highly experienced and trial-tested attorneys at White Law PLLC can advise you of a course of action best suited to your specific circumstances. Your Okemos car accident lawyer is standing by to assist you through this most troubling time.
What You Should Do Immediately After Being Injured in an Auto Accident
The scene of a car accident is often chaotic and stressful, but if you can keep your wits about you, there are some important steps you and your Okemos personal injury lawyer can take to ensure you are compensated for any damages or personal injuries you have suffered. Remaining calm and contacting police and emergency services can assist you in creating a paper trail and documenting evidence that can be crucial to your recovery. Even if you do not initially feel injured, being examined by qualified medical professionals is important in case you experience breathing troubles after your collision.
The Importance of Receiving Medical Attention After a Car Accident
While some individuals may feel embarrassed following a car crash, it is vital to have yourself examined by paramedics or your doctor immediately after your accident. Some injuries may not present symptoms for hours or days after the collision and could create chronic conditions that may affect you for the rest of your life. These injuries may cause breathing problems in the future that can be stressful and costly to properly treat and manage.
Your respiratory system consists of your lungs, nose, trachea, and breathing muscles, such as the diaphragm. Blunt-force trauma to any of these organs could cause pain while breathing. If you have suffered damage to any of these organs, are feeling pressure or pain in your chest, or persistent coughing following your crash, you should seek medical attention as soon as you are able.
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Injuries that Could Lead to Trouble Breathing
Nearly all car accidents produce different injuries and damages, and if you are coughing, short of breath, or trouble breathing could be a sign of a more serious injury. Some injuries, like cuts and bruises, may be apparent directly after the crash, while others may not manifest until a later time. It is your right to request a thorough examination to ensure any ailments you are experiencing are a result of your collision.
Even with the proliferation and standardization of airbags, car accidents continue to cause injuries and fatalities daily. The lungs are the primary organ of the respiratory system, so injuries to the neck or chest can cause trouble breathing. Regardless of the type of impact you have suffered, here are some injuries that could directly or indirectly affect your ability to breathe.
Smoke Inhalation
Modern vehicles are often constructed with plastic, fiberglass, or carbon fiber parts, which can produce toxic smoke when they catch fire. Inhaling this mix of chemicals could cause difficulty breathing. While some crashes do not result in a fire, if your car accident did produce smoke, that may have future consequences.
Broken or Bruised Ribs or Sternum
If you are feeling pressure on your chest, pain while inhaling, or a persistent cough, your ribs or sternum may have been damaged in the accident. You may even start coughing up blood the day after your car accident. Insisting on medical treatment after your crash may include chest X-rays or CT scans to confirm if you have suffered any internal injuries.
Lung Punctures
While a punctured lung may seem like an obvious injury, you may have this injury without any skin having been broken. A fractured rib could easily puncture your lung while presenting as a simple bruise. A small foreign object could even be piercing your lung.
Pulmonary Contusions
A pulmonary contusion is damage to the lung tissue following direct chest trauma. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of blunt chest trauma, and pulmonary contusions are the most common injuries following that trauma. These injuries could be the result of the collision itself or possibly even from being struck by a steering wheel mounted or side impact airbag.
Collapsed Lung
A collapsed lung occurs when the lung is punctured, whether by a foreign body or a broken rib, and air fills the space between your lung and other organs, causing the lung to partially or fully compress. Also known as a pneumothorax, a collapsed lung can cause significant difficulty breathing or prevent you from being able to breathe altogether. While this injury is treatable by qualified medical technicians, it can quickly become fatal if not treated immediately, potentially warranting the pursuit of a wrongful death claim under Section 600.2922 of The Michigan Wrongful Death Act.
Pulmonary Embolism
This condition occurs when a blood clot travels from another location in the body to the lungs, causing a blockage in the arteries of the lung. This blockage could present with symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, or shortness of breath. If not treated properly and timely, and the clot is allowed to travel to your lung, it could have fatal results.
Contact White Law PLLC Today and Find the Assistance You Need to Breathe Easier
Any damage to your respiratory system could have disastrous and life-altering consequences for your quality of life. Injuries that cause you to have trouble breathing, shortness of breath, and persistent or intermittent coughing could be signs of an injury more serious than you may have initially suspected.
After a thorough and exhaustive medical assessment, you may need a lawyer who can understand the trauma you have suffered and will fight for your right to the fair and just compensation you deserve. Our personal injury team with White Law PLLC has the experience and knowledge you need in your corner to protect your rights. Call us today or fill out our quick and convenient contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation now.
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