A car accident itself may be the root cause of a chest injury, or it may have exacerbated a pre-existing health condition. In either case, you may be eligible for compensation if another person’s negligence caused the accident.
If you are experiencing chest pain after a car accident, your personal injury lawyer can help examine your case and educate you about your best options for compensation.
Seek Medical Treatment As Soon As Possible After the Accident
Car accident lawyers advise you to seek immediate medical care if you are experiencing any types of chest pain after a car accident.
Chest injuries are different from most car accident injuries because the injury may be a sign of a much more serious health condition. While most car accident injuries – like broken bones – become apparent immediately following the accident, chest pain may only appear after a period of days – or even weeks.
In addition to the obvious health benefits of seeking medical care, your doctor can help you document your losses so you can seek an appropriate level of compensation for the pain and suffering you have endured.
Serious Dangers Associated with Chest Pain
Due to the serious implications of chest pain, you should consult a doctor as soon as symptoms begin appearing. Some of the most common chest injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Blood clots
- Internal bleeding
- A bruised sternum
- Broken chest bones, like the ribs
- Damage to the lungs
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Understanding the Different Damages You May Qualify for After a Chest Injury
With any car accident injury, you can be compensated for two types of damages: economic losses and non-economic losses. Your economic damages will cover any monetary losses, while non-economic damages are harder to define. Non-economic damages can encompass any losses related to your personal life or mental well-being.
As you might imagine, it is harder to assign accurate financial values to your non-economic losses compared to your economic damages. However, we can calculate your losses for you.
The Losses that Could Entitle You to an Award Post-Accident
For a clearer perspective, here are some of the losses you can address when you seek compensation after a chest injury:
- Loss of wages
- Diminished earning capabilities
- Rehabilitation programs to help improve your quality of life or assist you in rejoining the workforce
- Medical expenses
- Mental anguish
- Damage to your vehicle or personal property
- Loss of quality of life
- Dealing with the psychological impact of any disfigurements from your accident
- Loss of companionship and other negative effects on your personal relationships
- Long-term disability assistance
How does Contributory Negligence Affect Chest Injury Cases?
In Georgia, any pre-existing health conditions may qualify as a form of “contributory negligence.” As detailed under OCGA §51-12-33, every case has 100% liability that will be divided between all the contributing factors – including human error and environmental hazards.
You will be assigned a percentage of liability after the court reviews all the facts at hand. As long as you were responsible for less than 50% of your accident, you will still be eligible for damages.
What this Means for You
Your percentage of liability will be applied to your financial settlement before it is awarded to you at the end of your case. Accordingly, if the court determines that your pre-existing health condition contributes to 30% of your injuries, your settlement will be reduced by 30%, and so on.
Looking toward the future, understand the type of impact your actions will have on your case. This way, you will not be surprised by unexpected settlement reductions.
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The Statute of Limitations on Chest Injuries in Georgia Could Affect Your Case
As you consider your next move, remember that OCGA §9-3-33 sets a firm two-year statute of limitations for car accident victims. As such, if you do not file your case within two years of your injuries, your right to compensation may be in danger.
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Let Our Car Accident Lawyers Handle Your Case for You
This is just one of the many laws that affect personal injury cases in Georgia. Your lawyer can handle the paperwork and legal research for you. With us by your side, you can feel a newfound sense of confidence in your legal knowledge moving forward.
Our attorneys are here to lend a helping hand during your time of need. To better assist you during your fight for justice, we can:
- Help you build your case
- Take your case to court
- Negotiate settlements
- Gather evidence
- Perform any other legal services you might need
- Evaluate the value of your case
- Reach out to expert witnesses
- Assess the value of all your losses
We Operate on a Contingency-Fee-Basis
If you do not win your case, you do not owe us any money for our services. You don’t owe us anything upfront either, as we take our fees from the compensation we get for you.
After years of dedicated service for victims throughout the state of Georgia, we hope our services can help you rest a little easier at night.
Seeking Justice with Kaine Law By Your Side
We know how confused and uncertain you may feel if you suffer chest pain after a car accident. To learn more about filing a lawsuit or insurance claim after a chest injury, contact a Kaine Law representative today. Get started with your free consultation.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
