Earlier this week, I spoke about the absolute importance of seat belt use. In devastating accidents with survivors, one of the biggest reasons vehicle occupants were able to survive was because of the original auto safety device—the seat belt.

While seat belts are unquestionably critical lifesavers, if you have ever been in an accident, you know that these safety features can also cause some injuries at the expense of avoiding others. Seat belts are designed to absorb impact forces and apply them to the strongest points of your body—your pelvis and your chest area. In accidents that generate a high amount of force, your chest may not be able to sustain the intensity of impact forces without suffering an injury, such as:

A fractured sternum
Broken ribs
A punctured lung
Internal injuries to your heart or lungs

After an accident, if you are experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, dizziness, or lightheadedness, you may be suffering from serious trauma to your chest. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that car accidents are to blame for nearly 80% of chest trauma injuries, and these serious injuries are often life threatening. If you or a loved one may have suffered a chest injury, it is absolutely critical to seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Serious injuries like chest trauma can often mean several weeks away from work for victims, and if your chest injury was caused by a negligent driver, you deserve compensation. To learn more about recovering the highest possible amount for your injuries, contact my firm today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case.