Many car accidents cause severe and life-threatening injuries to the chest area. Although seat belts and airbags save lives, they may also cause serious injuries, including broken ribs. Broken ribs and damaged tissue in an accident victim’s chest can cause extreme pain and even death under certain circumstances.
If you or a loved one suffered broken ribs in an auto accident, an Orlando broken ribs lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options. When we accept your case, we’ll provide responsive legal care, even giving you your attorney’s cell phone number.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Broken Ribs and Car Accidents
The ribcage protects certain organs and tissue within the body. However, when that area sustains a strong or violent impact, the ribs can sometimes break, causing a person serious injury and pain. Broken ribs may cause chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, and a headache.
A person may also be unable to inhale without pain or avoid feeling pain when someone places pressure on the chest. If you experience any of these symptoms, you may have broken ribs. You must seek immediate medical evaluation and care if you have not done so already.
If you have already sought medical treatment and your condition worsens, or new symptoms develop, you should always return to your healthcare provider for another evaluation. It’s also a good idea to start documenting any symptoms you experience.
What Happens After a Diagnosis of Broken Ribs
Many of the symptoms listed above will allow a doctor in an emergency room to know that a patient has broken ribs. However, in most cases, a doctor will order certain diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or a CT scan, to determine the nature and extent of the harm done to the ribs.
These diagnostic tests allow a doctor to know which treatment will most benefit the victim. Never hesitate to go to the hospital following a car accident, as broken ribs could indicate that there may be internal organ damage or internal bleeding, which could be life-threatening.
Once you have received a diagnosis of broken ribs, it is important to contact an Orlando broken ribs attorney. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge necessary to help you win this kind of case. We will work hard to ensure that all responsible parties are accountable for their actions.
Serious Complications Could Result
A patient’s inability to take deep breaths means their condition could develop into pneumonia. In other cases, a victim may have partially collapsed lung tissue, causing other medical challenges.
According to MedlinePlus, victims suffering from broken ribs should take the time to do gentle coughing and slow, deep breathing exercises every two hours. Holding a pillow against your chest during these exercises can reduce the pain they can cause.
Contact our legal team today for a free consultation if you have suffered broken ribs due to a car accident. We can help you understand the value of your case and work hard to ensure that you are treated fairly by the insurance companies.
We are here to fight aggressively to ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
Medical Treatment
In most cases, a broken rib will ultimately heal. However, the process can prove extremely painful, as healing can take considerable time. Your doctors will likely want to run tests to ensure there are no internal organ injuries or bleeding.
Also, patients may be prescribed pain relievers to ease their discomfort as their ribs heal. Sometimes, a doctor may also place a victim on muscle relaxers to help ease the process as it heals.
Some patients may also need compression bandages to keep the broken ribs from moving when they take a deep breath.
Other Injuries That May Occur in a Serious Accident
You likely also have other injuries when an impact is severe enough to break your ribs. In addition to broken ribs, victims of serious accidents may suffer from other common injuries, such as:
- Other fractured bones
- Lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury
- Internal injuries, including organ damage
- Various permanent injuries
If you have suffered broken ribs or other severe injuries, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Doing so is important for your health, safety, and personal injury case.
Recovering Fair Compensation for Your Broken Ribs
Broken ribs can be extremely painful and require expensive medical treatments. Suppose another person’s negligence or recklessness caused your broken ribs. In that case, you must keep all medical appointments and speak with an experienced lawyer who can help you understand your legal rights and options.
With the right legal help, you can get money to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Medical Bills
After suffering broken ribs due to a car accident or another incident, you may face several medical bills. These include hospital stays, doctor visits, medications, and physical therapy bills.
Fortunately, if your broken ribs resulted from someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you may be entitled to compensation for these medical bills and other accident-related expenses. An experienced Orlando lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options and fight for the amount your case is worth.
Lost Wages
Car accident victims who experience broken ribs suffer not only physically but financially, too. Many people cannot return to work for several weeks or months as their ribs heal. As a result, victims lose substantial amounts of money.
Victims may lose more than their regular wages and salary while recovering. They may also miss bonuses, promotional or training activities, employee benefits, and pension contributions. In some serious cases, a person can never return to work, resulting in the loss of future earnings over their lifetime.
If you experienced broken ribs due to a car accident and lost wages due to missed work or the inability to return to work, an attorney can work with you to get you the compensation you are entitled to under the law.
Pain and Suffering
Any victim who suffers from broken ribs will attest that the injury is extremely painful. You have the legal right to seek compensation for the pain and suffering you experience. However, the calculations regarding pain and suffering can prove legally complicated.
Hiring an accident attorney can help you understand the financial awards you may have a legal right to receive from an insurance settlement offer or through a lawsuit.
While no compensation will ever eliminate your discomfort, you have a legal right to recover restitution for your broken rib injuries.
Emotional Distress
Emotional distress is a type of mental suffering that various events, including physical injuries, can cause. Like other serious injuries, broken ribs can cause significant emotional anguish for victims.
This is because broken ribs are painful and can make it difficult to do everyday activities like walking, sitting, or even breathing. Being physically incapacitated can take a toll on a person emotionally.
The emotional distress caused by broken ribs can be severe and long-lasting. Victims may experience depression, anxiety, fear, and other psychological issues. If you have suffered psychologically from your injuries, a personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal rights and fight for a fair settlement.
Other Damages
Other damages you may be entitled to after a broken ribs accident include the following:
- Transportation expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Punitive damages
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand the full scope of damages you may be entitled to and fight for maximum financial compensation.
Wrongful Death Expenses
In cases involving broken ribs, wrongful death expenses may be sought if the rib injury leads to the victim’s death. If you recently lost a loved one in this way, we extend our deepest condolences. While nothing can fully compensate you for your loss, our legal team could help you recover financially.
Wrongful death expenses are damages that can be awarded to the family of a deceased person who died due to the negligence or wrongful act of another party. This type of compensation is intended to help cover the costs associated with the death, such as medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost wages.
An Orlando broken ribs lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and pursue restitution if a loved one has passed away due to injuries sustained in an accident.
What a Lawyer Can Do for Your Case
If you or a loved one suffered broken ribs due to the negligence of another person, you might be wondering how to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages. A qualified lawyer can help you pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit against the responsible party.
Evaluate Your Case for Free
First, your lawyer will evaluate your case and determine whether you have a valid claim. They will also help you understand the legal process and advise you on the best action.
Our experienced Orlando attorneys are dedicated to helping victims get justice. We offer free case evaluations and are available to discuss your situation.
Once one of our lawyers takes your case, they will provide guidance and support throughout the legal process. They will answer any questions and inform you of any personal injury claim developments. This responsive legal care sets us apart from many other law firms.
Calculate Your Damages
If you have suffered broken ribs from an accident, it is important to correctly calculate your damages to seek compensation for your injuries. Damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs associated with the injury.
The effects of your injuries could be severe and long-lasting, and a good lawyer can help you understand the full extent of these damages. They will know how to push for the highest possible insurance payout and protect your rights.
Gather Evidence and Build a Solid Case
Your lawyer will review all relevant evidence, including medical records, police reports, and witness statements. They will use this information to build a strong case on your behalf so that you can seek the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries.
Your lawyer will present this evidence to the insurance company to ensure you receive a fair settlement. They will work hard to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you are entitled to.
At our firm, we understand how difficult it can be to cope with a broken rib injury while trying to obtain medical records and other information for your personal injury case. We are here to provide you with the legal services you need while you recover.
Investigate the Accident
If you’ve been injured in an accident that resulted in broken ribs, it’s important to investigate the accident to determine who is at fault. An Orlando lawyer can help you gather evidence and interview witnesses. They can also review applicable laws or regulations that may have been violated.
Your lawyer will look into the circumstances of the accident to determine if negligence or recklessness played a role. They will work hard to ensure that the responsible party is held accountable for their actions.
Once your lawyer has determined who is at fault for the accident, they will help you seek compensation for your injuries.
Negotiate with Other Parties on Your Behalf
When you have suffered broken ribs due to an accident, it is important to have a qualified Orlando personal injury lawyer on your side. An experienced attorney can help you negotiate with other parties involved in the accident, such as insurance companies and at-fault drivers.
Your lawyer will be able to assess the situation and determine the best course of action for your case. They will fight to ensure you receive a fair settlement and protect your rights.
At our firm, we understand how hard it can be to cope with a broken rib injury while keeping up with the demands of a personal injury case. We are here to provide you with the legal support and representation you need during this difficult time.
Pursue Full Compensation for Your Injuries
If you have suffered broken ribs due to a car accident or other incident, you may be entitled to full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An experienced attorney could help you pursue the maximum compensation under the law.
Your lawyer will review all the evidence related to your case and determine who is liable for your injuries. This could include:
- The other driver in a motor vehicle accident
- The manufacturer of a defective product
- A property owner who failed to maintain safe conditions or a public entity responsible for road conditions
With our help, you can seek full compensation for your injuries and ensure that your rights are protected.
Fight for You in Court
While most personal injury cases settle out of court, your lawyer will also represent you in court if necessary. An attorney from our law firm could compellingly present your case and fight relentlessly on your behalf.
The first step in the litigation process is to file a complaint with the court. This document will outline your legal claims against the defendant.
Once a lawsuit is filed in an Orlando broken ribs case, litigation begins. This involves presenting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and filing motions with the court. This process aims to prove that the defendant was negligent and caused your injuries.
Florida’s No-Fault Law
Florida is one of the few states that has a no-fault law when it comes to car accidents. This means that regardless of who is at fault for an accident, each driver’s insurance coverage will cover their medical expenses and lost wages up to a certain limit.
This system can benefit those who suffer broken ribs in an accident, as they can receive at least some compensation for their medical expenses and lost wages without having to prove fault.
An experienced attorney can help you understand the no-fault law and how it applies to your case. They will also work with you to ensure that all of your damages are considered when seeking additional compensation from the other party.
Establishing Negligence in a Florida Car Accident Case
With personal injury claims, negligence is often the basis for a successful lawsuit. Negligence occurs when someone fails to act reasonably and causes harm or injury to another person.
In the case of broken ribs caused by a car accident, negligence may be present if the collision was due to another person’s careless or reckless behavior. For example, if a driver was speeding or driving recklessly and caused an accident that resulted in broken ribs, they may be found negligent.
Your lawyer will review all the evidence related to your case and determine who is liable for your injuries. They will then work with you to build a strong case and seek full compensation for your damages.
Elements of Negligence
To build a solid case against the other party, you and your attorney must show that the other driver or another involved party was negligent. To establish negligence in a car accident case, the injured party must prove that someone:
- Owed them a reasonable duty of care.
- Breached that duty.
- Caused the injury as a result.
Time Limit in Florida for Taking Legal Action
Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), vehicle accident victims have four years to pursue compensation for their injuries and losses following a crash. If a loved one dies, the family has two years to file a wrongful death claim.
It is important to note that the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit may be shorter in some cases, so it is important to speak with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.
An Attorney Can Help You Meet Deadlines
Independent investigations and negotiations with insurance companies often take considerable effort, so your attorney will need enough time to build a solid case for you. We also need to file your case before the statute of limitations expires.
If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your chance to pursue financial awards. You may even be barred from recovering any financial awards for your injuries.
Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney will help you meet this and other important deadlines in your case.
Learn How an Orlando Broken Ribs Lawyer Can Help
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today to schedule a free consultation. The sooner you act, the sooner one of our accident lawyers can get to work for you. We will fight for the full value of your case and help you get the justice you seek.
We are available to review the details of your case and explain how an attorney specializing in Orlando broken rib cases can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and other losses. Contact us today to get started.
We Can Help.
