Broken Ribs from a Car Accident: Settlement Amounts and FAQs
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Numerous types of injuries can occur in a car accident, including broken ribs. Suffering trauma to the chest region increases the likelihood that you might sustain fractured ribs.
If you or someone you love was injured due to another driver’s negligence, you might be wondering what to do after a car accident.
A broken ribs settlement is possible, but you may need an experienced Tampa auto accident attorney on your side who can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
How to Know If Your Rib(s) Are Broken?
To properly determine whether your ribs are broken, you need to seek immediate medical treatment. Broken ribs can be dangerous as they could damage other organs, such as puncturing a lung.
When you have a broken rib, you cannot take deep breaths easily. In fact, it’s usually very painful to breathe deeply. Some of the most notable symptoms with a broken rib include:
- Tightness in your chest;
- Pain and tenderness in the general area, especially if you touch it;
- Bruising and swelling in the area of fracture;
- Pain when you twist or bend your body;
- Internal bleeding; and
- Pain when you cough.
Doctors can usually diagnose a fractured rib by doing an x-ray. Not all fractures will show up on a negative x-ray, so it’s important to communicate your symptoms to your doctor. They may need to order CT scans or other diagnostic tests to confirm whether you have a broken rib.
Is There an Average Settlement Amount in Florida?
Understandably, car accident victims want to know what they might receive in compensation after an accident. However, there is no average settlement amount for broken ribs or any other types of injuries. Every client’s case is evaluated based on its circumstances and associated factors.
What Factors Most Impact Florida Settlements?
Several elements can play a crucial role in the possible settlement you might receive. Factors that can most impact your settlement include:
- The severity of the car accident and your injuries;
- The types of treatment you received and how long you needed to treat;
- The amount of time you missed from work and whether you can return to work; and
- Whether there’s any future treatment required.
If you develop complications from broken ribs, your settlement amount might be higher. One possible complication includes pneumonia. Pneumonia is a risk because victims cannot breathe deeply due to severe pain.
Some other cases may also require surgery if your rib cage detaches from the chest wall or a rib punctures an organ.
Will I Need to Go to Court?
If your case doesn’t resolve during the negotiations phase, you may need to go to court at some point. We will file a lawsuit on your behalf and start preparing your case for trial if the other party is not willing to engage in meaningful settlement negotiations.
There may be hearings, a deposition, arbitration, mediation, etc. If your case still does not resolve, you will need to be present in court for the trial.
Will a Lawyer Help Me Get a Favorable Settlement?
There is no guarantee that you will get a favorable settlement, but an experienced attorney can usually help you get a higher settlement amount than you would if you pursued a claim independently.
At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, our experienced Tampa & Pinellas Park car accident attorneys have helped over 20,000 injured victims to date fight for the compensation they deserve. We’ve collected over $300,000,000 on behalf of our clients.
If you suffered broken ribs or other injuries in a Florida car accident, let us help. Contact Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today to schedule an initial consultation.
Get Your Accident Questions Answered
Prospective clients typically have numerous questions about the general claims process and how a personal injury claim works. We’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions we receive to help you prepare for your upcoming consultation with our office.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive in Florida?
Depending on the specifics of your accident, you might be eligible to receive compensation for your medical expenses to date, time off work, property damage, future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
Can I Get a Settlement If I’m at Fault for the Accident?
Florida follows the legal theory of pure comparative negligence. That means you can potentially collect a portion of your damages, even if you are primarily at fault for the accident. For example, if you are deemed 20% at fault, you could collect up to 80% of your damages. If you are 60% at fault, you could receive up to 40% of your damages.