Northern California Lawyers for Chest and Rib Injuries from Car Accidents
If you sustained a chest or rib injury during a car crash someone else caused, contact Tiemann Law Firm immediately to discuss your legal options. You might be entitled to financial compensation from the negligent individual who caused the accident.
A range of factors can lead to a chest or rib injury in a car wreck. The seatbelt could restrict an occupant in their seat, causing bruising and internal damage. A cracked rib could occur from the sudden and forceful impact of the collision. Severe chest and rib injuries require medical care to heal. Many people need surgery to repair significant fractures or a punctured lung from a rib fragment.
At Tiemann Law Firm, we know the long-term effects of a chest injury or broken rib. It’s painful and can lead to various complications. Sometimes, accident victims can’t return to work due to a limited range of motion. The cost of treating a chest or rib injury can be expensive, especially if ongoing physical therapy or pain management is necessary.
Our chest and rib injury lawyers in Northern California are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. We will fight to protect your rights and seek justice in your case. The negligent driver should be held accountable for the suffering they caused. We will work hard to meet your needs and try to reach your desired results.
Call the Northern California car accident lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 today for your free, same-day consultation with us.
Types of Chest and Rib Injuries in Car Accidents
Significant trauma to the chest can happen in car crashes. The violent nature of the impact between two vehicles combined with the sudden stopping forces can cause serious injuries.
Although safety devices in cars are supposed to protect the occupants during accidents, they can also lead to bodily harm. Chest and rib injuries are common with safety devices, such as:
- Airbags – Airbags cushion the upper body during accidents. However, they expand quickly and can result in blunt force trauma to the chest.
- Seatbelts – Seatbelts save lives. They keep the occupants of cars restrained to their seats and prevent ejection. They can also lock up at any indication of a collision. A locked seatbelt can cause injuries to the sternum, ribs, and soft tissue in the chest.
The most common chest injuries car accidents cause are:
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Bruised or fractured sternum
- Internal bleeding
- Fractured or bruised ribs
- Damage to soft tissue, muscles, and nerves
- Chest contusions
- Penetrating injury, such as sharp debris piercing the chest wall
- Lacerations
- Punctured lung and other organ damage
The symptoms you can experience with a chest injury depend on the location of the trauma and severity of the damage but could include:
- Bruising
- Trouble breathing
- Coughing up blood
- Tenderness
- Pain during movement
- Swelling
If you experience any symptoms of a chest injury after a car accident, it’s vital to seek immediate treatment. Go to the hospital or your doctor after you leave the accident scene. A prompt diagnosis and comprehensive treatment plan are necessary for your recovery.
Compensation for Chest and Rib Injuries
You can file a claim with the at-fault party’s auto insurance company. Motor vehicle drivers in California must carry insurance with minimum liability limits. The fault system allows injured parties to hold the negligent motorist financially responsible for injuries and the resulting losses.
The settlement you receive in an insurance claim could compensate you for various losses suffered in the accident, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Medical bills
- Emotional distress
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
Tiemann Law Firm can negotiate a settlement with the insurance carrier on your behalf. Our Northern California chest and rib injury lawyers have the experience and resources to aggressively pursue the money you’re owed. If the insurance company denies your claim or refuses to settle for an amount we believe is fair, we can file a lawsuit.
A form of compensation called exemplary damages might be available in your lawsuit. To receive this financial award, you must have clear and convincing evidence that the at-fault party oppressed you, acted with malice, or that they defrauded you.
Deadline to File a Lawsuit for Chest and Rib Injuries
If you want to sue someone for a car accident, you must follow the statute of limitations. California enforces a two-year statute of limitations. That means you must initiate your lawsuit in civil court within two years of the date of the crash. If the statute expires before you file, you will lose your right to recover compensation in court.
Under specific circumstances, an accident victim can toll the statute of limitations. That means the two-year period pauses until a required event occurs. You can toll the statute of limitations for a car crash if:
- You are under a legal disability – A person has a legal disability if they are of unsound mind or under 18 years old. The two-year statute will not start until the plaintiff turns 18 or gains mental competency.
- The defendant leaves the state – If the defendant leaves the state temporarily, their absence doesn’t count towards the two-year timeframe. The clock will pause and not begin again until the defendant returns.
The laws associated with tolling a statute of limitations can be confusing. It’s best if you contact Tiemann Law Firm for assistance. We can review the details of your case and determine whether you meet the requirements to toll your case.
Contact Us
Tiemann Law Firm has represented countless car accident victims since opening in 1998. For over 20 years, our Northern California chest and rib injury lawyers have fought for injured clients and helped them hold negligent parties responsible. We are ready to represent you in your case and pursue the money you’re owed so you can heal and move forward with your life.
If you suffered a chest or rib injury in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, do not hesitate to contact Tiemann Law Firm. We offer free same-day consultations to discuss your needs and determine whether we can help. If you have further questions about your case, call (916) 999-9000, or reach out to us online today.
