Broken ribs are one of the most common types of bone fractures, occurring in 10-20% of all patients who have suffered some form of trauma to the chest. And one of the most common causes of chest trauma is vehicular accidents, especially motorcycle accidents.
Here in California, we are no strangers to motorcycle accidents. Traffic on the west coast is notorious for being worse than anywhere else in the country, and in California in particular, motorcycle accidents tend to make up a large percentage of the kinds of accidents that occur.
Whether this is because of our beautiful year-round weather that makes for perfect riding, our long stretches of road with scenic views, or because the state has benefits for motorcycle riding, such as lane-splitting—no one knows the exact reason. But no matter the reason, we see a large number of motorcyclists on the roads every year, which means a lot more motorcycle accidents that can lead to serious motorcycle accident injuries, like broken ribs.
Even the celebrities that call California their home are no exception to serious motorcycle accident injuries. News reports have featured celebrities like Dax Shepard and Jay Leno suffering the consequences of motorcycle accidents with multiple broken rib injuries.
If you find yourself the victim of a motorcycle accident in California and need help filing your broken rib injury claim, our motorcycle accident injury attorneys at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers can help. We understand how painful and debilitating healing from a broken rib injury can be and are dedicated to helping our clients get the fair settlement they need to pay for their medical expenses and other potential damages.
Broken Rib Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents in California
Broken ribs are a type of injury typically sustained from blunt force trauma to the chest. This means they are a type of internal injury that results from an impact that does not cause any sort of penetration. Still, though the chest may look uninjured externally due to the fact that there are no penetrating wounds, a broken rib injury can be quite severe and painful.
These types of injuries can happen in any number of situations where a person could sustain blunt force trauma, such as physical assault, a slip and fall accident, or a car accident. But they are also common in motorcycle accidents when riders are slammed into the ground or thrown from their bike and into some other object, like another car.
California has the most registered motorcycle users in the country, so we tend to see a lot of motorcycle accidents, plenty of which involve broken rib motorcycle accident injuries. While this is not something to brag about, it does mean that our attorneys have a lot of experience handling motorcycle accident cases involving broken rib injuries, meaning we know what it takes to help our clients win the settlements they deserve.
Broken Rib Symptoms After a Motorcycle Accident
While a minor broken rib injury can heal on its own, some broken rib injuries can be incredibly painful and severe, so it’s important to know what signs and symptoms to look out for. Because a broken rib is an internal injury, there may not be any external sign that you have been injured. Getting medical attention as soon as possible can be vital. So, what symptoms may indicate that you are suffering from broken ribs?
- Pain when you take a deep breath
- Pain when you bend or twist your upper body
- Pain when you apply pressure in the chest area
- Ragged breathing or wheezing sounds
- Bruising in the chest area
Complications That Can Arise From Broken Ribs
Many broken rib injuries will heal on their own, and there is not much that can be done other than taking medication for pain and inflammation. However, a broken rib injury can also be severe and lead to complications that can put your life at risk.
For this reason, a broken rib injury should never be ignored. You should always get checked out immediately by a medical professional so they can make sure your injury does not require emergency medical intervention, such as surgery.
The most common complications that can arise from broken ribs include:
- A torn or ruptured aorta: The ribs surround and protect the heart, but if one of the ribs breaks, the sharp end can turn inward and damage the heart.
- Punctured lungs: Your ribs also protect your lungs, and the sharp end of a broken rib can easily puncture a lung and cause it to collapse.
- Kidney, liver, and spleen lacerations: In some cases, the lower two ribs can also break and cause lacerations or puncture wounds to the organs in your abdomen, such as your kidneys, liver, and your spleen.
What is a Broken Ribs Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim Worth?
Every broken rib case after a motorcycle accident is unique. There is no set amount offered for broken injuries. Instead, each claim is evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine the individual factors affecting that claim.
Such factors that can play a role in determining how much a broken rib injury claim is worth can include:
- How the accident happened and who was at fault
- The insurance policies of those involved in the accident
- How severe the broken rib injury is
- How much the medical expenses to treat the broken rib injury amount to
- How long it takes to recover from the broken rib injury and how much it is affecting the injured person’s life
- If the broken rib injury requires the injured person to miss days of work
- If the accident caused any other damages
- If the injured victim is also suffering from emotional distress as a result of the accident
Settlement amounts can vary depending on whether or not you have an attorney defending your case. It is common for insurance companies to try to deny claims, offer reduced settlement amounts, or do whatever else they can to undervalue a claim. But when you have a motorcycle accident injury attorney defending you and helping you build a strong case, it is harder for insurance companies to get away with offering less than what you deserve.
California Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney: We Handle Your Accident Claim So You Can Focus On Your Life
If you sustain a broken rib injury in a motorcycle accident in California and need help filing your claim, our team can help.
At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, our motorcycle accident injury attorneys have years of experience handling cases that involve a wide range of injuries, including broken ribs. As such, we understand what it takes to fight for our client’s rights to ensure they get the full and fair settlement they deserve.
Call us at 877-380-8852 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation.
