What Is a Broken Sternum After a Car Accident?

A broken sternum after a car accident means a fractured breastbone. Having your breastbone broken can be very serious and painful. Even so, doctors sometimes miss these injuries at first, especially if other severe injuries are present. High-impact car accidents can cause these fractures, for example, from the force of the chest striking a seatbelt, steering wheel, or airbag.

Broken sternums in Alabama can affect your mobility, independence, confidence, ability to work, and much more. Often, they occur with other serious injuries, but about a fourth (26%) do occur in isolation, according to at least one study. Recovery prospects generally are good, but you could qualify for compensation regardless.

Will it be clear right away that you have a broken sternum?

Sometimes, yes. Signs of a broken sternum in a car accident can include instant and sharp chest pain that leaves no doubt that something is wrong. However, people do not always know their breastbone is fractured. Why?

• Adrenaline may be dulling their pain perception for a few hours after the crash.
• Some people may assume their pain is coming from seatbelt impact, muscle soreness, or general soreness.
• Some sternum injuries may hurt more noticeably hours or even days after a car accident, when there is more swelling, stiffness, and pain.

Seeking medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident is a good idea, even if you think your injuries are minor. That chest soreness may turn out to be a broken sternum.

Can a broken sternum make it harder for you to breathe?

Yes. Deep breaths may hurt, and your breathing might be shallow or painful. Discomfort or pain while coughing is common, and you could feel tightness or pressure across your chest.

Beyond breathing, activities such as sleeping, driving, lifting your children, exercising, and performing chores at home may become difficult or impossible.

What do broken sternums feel like?

Many people experience intense pain in the center of their chest, and it worsens when they breathe (especially deeply), cough, sneeze, or laugh. The pain also can worsen when you reach, push, pull, or lift, including when you get out of bed. When you move your chest or shoulders, you may get a sensation of clicking, grinding, or popping. The chest tends to be tender to the touch, and you may see swelling and bruising.

How serious is a broken sternum after a car accident?

Even broken sternums that occur with no other injuries can be very serious. Much depends on the particulars of the situation. About 75% of the time, broken sternums mean other injuries. People can experience collapsed lungs and rib fractures, for example.

If a broken sternum is an isolated injury, it may heal in two to three months (more severe sternal injuries could take longer). You should limit activities such as heavy lifting and driving, and you may have to modify job tasks. Any type of pain or limitation can seriously disrupt your life and your ability to bring in income. Surgery is not necessary for many sternum fractures, but it does happen on occasion.

If a broken sternum occurs with other injuries, the sternum itself may still heal in two to three months. Your overall recovery may take longer, with other injuries perhaps requiring hospitalizations, heart monitoring, oxygen support, and more.

What if your doctor misses a broken sternum after your car accident?

This does happen. Some sternal fractures are relatively subtle on X-rays, especially if medical personnel are more focused on other injuries. Alternatively, some people leave the hospital thinking they are OK, just maybe with a sore chest, but their pain, breathing difficulties, and other symptoms worsen.

It’s important not to ignore these signs if this happens to you. Return as soon as possible to the hospital or to your doctor. More rounds of imaging or CT scans could show what is happening. Getting a diagnosis helps with your treatment and with linking your injury to the car accident. Waiting too long can complicate compensation. The other side may say that the injury wasn’t that bad since you were physically able to wait, or they could claim that something else caused the broken sternum.

What does the sternum do?

It does a lot, such as helping protect your heart and lungs and supporting your upper body and ribs. It also helps you breathe better.

Can you get compensation if a broken sternum is your only injury after a car accident?

Yes. Your damages may include:

• Medical bills for ER care, imaging, medications, rehab, follow-up treatment, and much more
• Out-of-pocket expenses for medical reasons and related bills
• Lost income due to limited or nonexistent ability to work
• Pain and suffering due to chest and breathing pain, disrupted sleep, anxiety, and decreased mobility

What can strengthen your case are your insurance coverage, lack of fault, medical documentation, and the injury’s impact on your daily life. Alabama follows strict contributory negligence, meaning that if there is a strong case that you are partly responsible for the accident, compensation could be impossible to get. Thus, evidence such as your medical records, footage of the car accident, and witness statements is very helpful.

That said, never assume you don’t have a case. Outcomes can be surprising, so it is good to ask lawyers to evaluate your case.

Why should you talk with a car accident lawyer after a sternum fracture?

Sternum injuries are not as simple as they may seem. The insurance company might not be considering all of your damages when it makes a settlement offer. Consulting with a lawyer as early as possible helps you get evidence, document the effect of the injury on your life, and communicate better with insurers.

Get in touch with Prince Glover Hayes today

A broken sternum after a car accident can be painful and cause a lot of suffering, whether it is your only injury or one of several. Contact us today to discuss your possible next steps.