Chest injuries from motor vehicle accidents represent some of the most serious and life-threatening trauma that crash victims can sustain. About 10% of blunt chest trauma patients require surgery, which is why car accident victims should be examined by a doctor immediately after the accident.
Pulmonary contusion stands as the most common serious chest injury in vehicle collisions, occurring in approximately 30 to 75% of severe thoracic traumas, with mortality rates ranging from 14 to 40% depending on injury extent. Protecting your future and securing the compensation you deserve are dependent on knowing the severity of your injuries and your legal rights.
Florida's Insurance Coverage for Chest Trauma
Florida's Personal Injury Protection insurance covers 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. PIP coverage may be sufficient to cover minor chest injuries. However, victims of chest injuries like flail chest or significant lung trauma are often left with significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Florida Statutes 627.737 lays out the serious injury threshold for accessing additional compensation. You can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver if your chest injury results in a significant and permanent loss of important bodily function or permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability. Typical settlements for chest injuries in Florida range from $15,000 to $50,000, but awards for severe cases can reach $85,000 to over $1 million, depending on the long-term effects.
The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary Helps Build Your Legal Case
Obtaining compensation for severe chest injuries requires proving that another party's negligence caused your trauma. If another party's unsafe driving practices, including impaired or aggressive behavior, resulted in your trauma, we will fight to secure the maximum compensation. Florida's modified fault system creates a complete bar to damages when your own negligence exceeds 50% of the total responsibility.
The intricate nature of chest trauma injuries makes thorough documentation essential for a case. Seeking immediate healthcare creates the medical foundation necessary to support your claim. Maintain comprehensive records of every medical appointment, test results, prescribed treatments, and work absences.
In most cases, victims can claim economic damages, including medical bills, future treatment costs, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. Among non-economic damages are pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and permanent disability. If a loved one sustains a fatal or catastrophic injury in a car accident, family members often wonder what legal options they have, as wrongful death claims provide additional avenues for compensation. To preserve your right to compensation in Florida, you have two years to file a lawsuit.
Expert Legal Support for Chest Injury Victims from Car Accidents
At The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary, we are experienced in handling legal and medical issues related to severe chest injuries. Over the past two decades, we have assisted injured individuals in Florida with complex catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, developing the experience and resources necessary to deal with the most challenging chest trauma cases.
When you work with our team, you receive comprehensive support that addresses every aspect of your case:
- Car accident reconstructionists and technical specialists help us determine exactly how your injury occurred and who is liable.
- We know how to identify vehicle defects that may have contributed to your chest trauma and will investigate every possible avenue for recovery.
- You can count on us to negotiate fair settlements with insurance companies and to fight in court if necessary.
- After a devastating chest injury, we fight relentlessly on your behalf to recover the financial compensation you deserve.
- Our team works closely with medical specialists to establish the full scope of costs related to your injuries, including future medical needs and long-term care requirements.
If you suffered a chest injury in a car accident, don't let your insurance company undervalue your claim or leave you struggling with mounting medical bills and lost income. We are ready to secure maximum compensation for your case with our extensive resources and proven track record. Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve justice.