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Why Swift Action with an Austin Rib Injury Lawyer Matters

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The ribs are the long curved bones that form the rib cage and enclose and protect the internal organs such as the lungs and heart and other organs inside the thoracic cavity. They enable the lungs to expand and facilitate breathing within the chest cavity. As a result, rib injuries can be devastating. An experienced Austin rib injury lawyer can help you recover the full compensation you deserve.

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We have 24 ribs, twelve on each side. Both men and women have the same amount of ribs. The ribs are attached to a spine bone in the back. The first seven pairs of ribs join the breastbone in the center of the chest. The front ends of the eighth, ninth, and 10th

A direct blow to the chest from a car accident or a slip and fall situation can cause rib injuries such as a rib fracture. In a car crash, the ribs can become injured in many ways. A side impact collision could push the door or the center console into the driver or passenger. If the car rolls due to the impact, the occupants will roll with it, exposing the people inside to all kinds of injuries.

The force of the impact can also cause objects to fly about the interior, even shearing off bolted car parts. Those objects may strike the ribs or other parts of the body at high speed, causing injury. Another common cause of rib injuries in an accident involves the rapid deployment of airbags which can exert a lot of force on the chest leading to rib injuries. The sudden stop of momentum when the seatbelt arrests a moving body can also cause rib injuries.

Types of Rib Injuries

Broken Ribs

The high pulling force towards the seatbelts during a rolling action of a car can lead to broken ribs. Some people even develop broken ribs due to the collision which can exert too much pressure on the rib cage area.

If you experience broken ribs, it is necessary to seek urgent medical attention.

Rib Fractures

Force exerted on your chest due to pulling by the seat belt or airbag can expose you to extreme force which can make you suffer from rib fractures.

Inflamed Rib Cartilage

Trauma to the chest area can lead to inflammation of the rib cartilage. Exposure of the rib to too much force causes muscle injury around the rib cage area. The result will be pain which will be too much for you to bear.

Symptoms, Complications, and Treatment of Rib Injuries

If someone has a fractured rib, breathing will be difficult because all the muscles used for breathing pull on the ribs.  Due to the difficulty of breathing deeply, pneumonia is a common secondary effect of rib injuries.

It is very important to seek medical attention if you suspect your rib is fractured. An accident that caused an impact that fractured a rib can also cause injury to the lungs, spleen, blood vessels, or other parts of the body. A collapsed lung is a common injury when a rib is fractured or punctured.

Practical Tip

Insurance companies will insist that you can track down every little piece of information before “we can evaluate the claim.”  Even if the information they are now asking for would not add a penny to their offer, they are happy to wait another six weeks to track it down.  Meanwhile, they are earning interest on the money they are NOT paying you.

Andrew Traub

Symptoms that you might experience if you have a fractured rib include mild to severe pain in the injured area, pain when breathing, and pain around the fracture if pressure is applied to the breastbone.

You may also feel shortness of breath, anxiousness, restlessness, or you may be scared. You may have a headache, and feel dizzy, tired, or sleepy.

The doctor will conduct a physical exam that will include applying pressure to the chest to find out the location of the injury, watch your breathing and make sure your lungs are working properly, listen to your heart, and check head, neck, and spine to make sure that there are no other injuries.

Unfortunately, rib fractures do not always show up on imaging or X-rays, so the doctor may treat you for a rib fracture anyway just to be safe.

A rib fracture can take up to six weeks to heal. The best treatment is rest and pain management with aspirin or ibuprofen. It is really important to breathe deeply or cough at least once an hour to prevent pneumonia and partial collapse of the lung tissue.

Do not tightly wrap the injury because this will prevent deep breaths increasing the risk of pneumonia. Sleeping on the injured side will also help with taking those deep breaths. This may seem counterintuitive at first, but it will help. Only sleep on the injured side, if you have not injured your neck or injured your back which may require lying in other positions.

Consider contacting an experienced Austin rib injury lawyer if your rib injury was due to the carelessness of someone else.

The Role of Austin Rib Injury Lawyers

Austin rib injury lawyers play a crucial role in assisting individuals who have sustained rib injuries due to accidents or incidents caused by the negligence or misconduct of others. Their primary responsibility is to provide legal representation and advocacy for their clients throughout the legal process. This includes:

  1. Case Evaluation: Austin rib injury lawyers assess the circumstances surrounding their clients’ injuries to determine if there are grounds for a legal claim. They review medical records, gather evidence, and consult with experts to build a strong case.
  2. Legal Guidance: Austin rib injury lawyers advise their clients on their legal rights and options for seeking compensation. They explain the complexities of personal injury law, including statutes of limitations, liability, and potential damages.
  3. Negotiation: Austin rib injury lawyers negotiate with insurance companies and opposing parties on behalf of their clients to secure fair settlements. They strive to maximize compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
  4. Litigation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, Austin rib injury lawyers are prepared to take their clients’ cases to court. They represent their clients during trial proceedings, presenting evidence, cross-examining witnesses, and advocating for their rights before a judge and jury.

Overall, Austin rib injury lawyers serve as advocates and allies for individuals who have suffered rib injuries, guiding them through the legal process and fighting for the compensation they deserve.

Experienced Austin Rib Injury Lawyer

If you have a rib injury due to a car accident, motorcycle accident, or slip and fall accident, and want to talk to an experienced Austin rib injury lawyer, please call or text the Traub Law Office at 512-246-9191 or complete the form for more information.

Conclusion

When facing the complexities of a rib injury case in Austin, having the guidance and support of an experienced Austin rib injury lawyer is invaluable. These legal professionals possess the expertise and resources necessary to navigate the intricacies of personal injury law and pursue rightful compensation for their clients.

From investigating the circumstances of the injury to negotiating with insurance companies and advocating in court, Austin rib injury lawyers are dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of those who have suffered rib injuries due to negligence or wrongdoing. By entrusting their case to a skilled legal advocate, individuals can seek the justice and financial recovery they deserve, allowing them to focus on their recovery and moving forward with their lives.

We look forward to helping you.

Accident Injuries Austin: Why You Need an Accident Lawyer

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