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Chest Injuries After a Portland Car Accident

Chest Injuries After a Portland Car Accident

Many car accidents in Portland, Oregon, produce chest injuries. These injuries can range in severity from minor to fatal. For example, your body striking a seat belt can bruise or even strain the muscles in your chest. But a bruise may heal on its own within a few days or weeks.

A more serious injury could result from a violent impact on your chest. In this case, the blow could hurt your heart or lungs. This kind of injury can permanently damage your organs or even kill you.

Read on to learn more about chest injuries after a Portland car accident and what Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers can do to help you pursue compensation from the at-fault party. Contact our Portland law office at (503) 272-8986 for a free consultation today!

How Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Portland, OR

How Tillmann Law Can Help After a Car Accident in Portland, OR

The Portland car accident attorneys at Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers have over 17 years of experience fighting for our clients. Since our firm’s founding, our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars in injury compensation for accident victims in Portland.

We stand by clients as they go through the injury claim process by providing:

  • A 100% free consultation so that they understand their legal rights and options
  • Aggressive negotiations with the at-fault party
  • Extensive experience and resources to back every case
  • The ability to file a lawsuit if that’s in the client’s best interest

A chest injury after a car crash in Portland, OR, can damage your organs and reduce your life expectancy. Contact Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss the compensation you can pursue for these and other effects of a chest injury.

How Many People Suffer Chest Injuries in Car Accidents in Portland?

The likelihood of a chest injury varies based on the type of crash you experience. According to a study by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the likelihood of a minor chest injury is as follows:

  • 8% in a rear-impact collision
  • 9% in a rollover crash
  • 15% in a front-impact collision
  • 16% in a passenger-side impact collision
  • 16% in a driver-side impact collision

The same study shows that the likelihood of a severe chest injury is:

  • 43% in a rear-impact collision
  • 55% in a rollover crash
  • 40% in a front-impact collision
  • 52% in a passenger-side impact collision
  • 51% in a driver-side impact collision

In Portland, the most common type of crash is a rear-end collision. These crashes have a relatively low risk of minor chest injuries, but over 40% of accident victims could suffer a serious chest injury in these collisions.

Examples of Car Accident Chest Injuries

Chest injuries can take different forms depending on the type of injury and the tissues that the injury affects. Chest injuries after a Portland car accident can include the following:

Chest Strain

Muscles cover your chest and sit between your ribs. Chest strain happens when you hyperextend the muscles or tendons in your chest. When these tissues stretch or even tear, you will experience:

  • Swelling
  • Muscle spasms
  • Muscle pain and weakness

A strained chest will usually heal in four to six weeks. Doctors typically do not operate on a strained chest, even if the muscles or tendons tear. After you heal, you may need physical therapy to regain your flexibility and strength.

Broken Rib

Your ribs protect vital organs and give your chest structure. A blow to the chest can fracture a rib. A broken rib can cause pain and swelling.

Broken ribs will usually heal on their own in six to eight weeks. For a simple fracture, doctors generally prescribe rest and to avoid strenuous activity. 

If you fracture at least two ribs in at least two places, you have “flail chest.” Flail chest has a high mortality rate for broken bones. According to one study, between 10% and 36% of patients with flail chest die from their injury.

Torn Cartilage

Cartilage connects your ribs to your sternum and each other. A blunt impact to your chest can tear this cartilage. When the cartilage gets damaged, your ribs move unnaturally and produce pain, particularly when breathing.

Torn cartilage will often take a few months to heal. During this time, your doctor will prescribe rest.

Collapsed Lung

A collapsed lung can happen when an object pierces your chest. Air rushes into the chest cavity surrounding the lungs. The air pressure squeezes the air from your lungs and prevents them from re-inflating. You will struggle to breathe since you cannot inhale. 

Without emergency treatment for a collapsed lung, you will suffer permanent lung damage or even death.

Cardiac Tamponade

The pericardium surrounds the heart to protect it from infection. But when you suffer a chest injury, internal bleeding can cause the pericardium to fill with fluid. The fluid-filled sac strangles the heart and prevents it from beating regularly.

Doctors need to monitor your condition. If your heart has too much difficulty beating, doctors may need to drain the fluid from the pericardium.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Portland Car Accident Lawyers

A chest injury can cause significant pain. It can even threaten your life. Reach out to Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with an experienced Portland car accident attorney. We’re here to help you understand your legal rights and best course of action.

Justin Vieth
Justin Vieth
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Shimmeri Selph
Shimmeri Selph
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Don't waste your time.
Alan Rogers
Alan Rogers
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Thanks Aaron, we truly appreciate everything you have done for us.I know that I was a handful early on, but you handled it with a deft touch and ultimately proved yourself to be a great advocate for our family none the less.Thanks so much Bud!You have my eternal respect and gratitude.
Tim Cheredayko
Tim Cheredayko
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Tillmann helped me out a lot! Going over ever detail with the case from both sides and always informing me what is going to happen through out the case. Definitely recommend Tillmann Law!
A B
A B
1689034229
Rude. Classist. The receptionist needs some manners. Actually hung up when told was a low income family.
Justin W
Justin W
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I had the pleasure of working with Aaron and his team over the course of the last year. They were very professional and responsive. Dealing with injuries can be dreadful, but Aaron made it as painless as possible. I highly recommend.
Bonnie Thorn
Bonnie Thorn
1686939262
Aaron Tillmann and his entire staff were professional, empathetic and very knowledgeable. They assisted our family at a time when we were grieving the loss of our son with compassion and respect.
Tina Rutledge
Tina Rutledge
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Arisbet Bustos
Arisbet Bustos
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I am very grateful and pleased with the services of Lawyer Aaron and his team work, especially Julia, who was always attentive to my concerns and resolved my doubts with a good attitude and empathy, and best of all, she speaks Spanish. Thank you so much!!!
Ken Pollett
Ken Pollett
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I was involved in a serious auto accident. Not that there is a good time to be in any accident, it just happened to be 2020. Tillman Law and support staff kept me in the loop as the court system was disarray with all the Covid issues. The staff was very professional and courteous. In a nutshell, they took care of me.
Jordan Bedrick
Jordan Bedrick
1682367951
My husband was in a bad car accident a few years back, and he was stopped due to traffic. He was behind a fuel truck, and someone rear-ended him, going 60mph. The worst part was our 6 mo old was in our and the truck was totaled beyond repair and my husbands back injured severly he ended up with 2 broken vertebrae. Our child had ptsd any time getting into a vehicle after that. Tillman made this right even though we couldn't do much for our son other comfort him and make car rides more comfortable from there on out Tillman was able to get my husband the money he deserved after the other driver was extremely negligent and either not paying attention or on his phone or something unfortunately this was during covid and when the police came they didnt do a single thing to check for any of that. We can't say enough good things about Aaron Tillman he gave us our hope back and the ability to have back surgery to repair a lot of his back issues due to the car wreck. So if you have been in an accident definitely call Tillman Law they're amazing super professional, kind and empathetic beings who will work for the best possible outcome for your case and fight they won't just roll over and play dead they spent about 2.5 years on my husbands case never giving up. He was always super honest with my husband and always communicated everything. So again, thank you, Aaron Tillman, and thank you to your law firm for working so tirelessly. We appreciate it more than you know.
Cassie Kocker
Cassie Kocker
1679485024
Aaron is great. He is professional and personable which makes you feel cared about during the process. He will provide advice and resources so that the process is smooth and renders positive results. I highly recommend!
Michael Darling (Mike Rich)
Michael Darling (Mike Rich)
1678578656
Still working with them to this day! Great firm great people. Much recommend
Brittany Sloan
Brittany Sloan
1678128693
I can’t recommend Tillman Law enough. We were in a sticky situation from a car accident in December and my partner was out of work for over a month. Aaron told us we may not be able to get those lost wages, but he would definitely try to fight the insurance for them and even then we might not see the money for a long time. It’s only been 3 1/2 months since the accident and we just got our lost funds today. Tillman Law was quick, efficient, and made this entire situation much less painful. I appreciate everything they’ve done for us.
Hazel Ault
Hazel Ault
1676408436
Jennifer nelson
Jennifer nelson
1675127322
Great experience
Oksana Pavlenko
Oksana Pavlenko
1660939351
Really pleased with my experience at Tillmann Law. Mr. Tillmann and his team were on top of my case, worked hard to answer any questions I had and finished my case in a timely manner. I was really happy with the outcome . Thank you!
Robert Swanson
Robert Swanson
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Tucker Earp
Tucker Earp
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Linette Figueroa
Linette Figueroa
1634884433
Mr. Tillman took care of my care seamlessly! He immediately hopped on my case immediately and guided me through the entire process. His team is professional, organized and well-resourced! He even went back to ensure the settlement was beyond fair. If you want someone who will fight tooth and nail on your behalf- Mr. Tillman is your lawyer!
Robert Aley
Robert Aley
1634841379
I am so happy to promote Aaron and his team. They did such an amazing job handling my case. Call them if you need service. I called him when I first needed help with my accident and he called me back within five minutes. This team is so great! I am so happy to have worked with them.
Teresa Ochoa
Teresa Ochoa
1633214433
Mr. Tillmann and his paralegal Jason were fantastic to work with! They were always available to answer my questions in a timely manner and delivered a very good outcome after I was rear ended. I would recommend their services to anyone.
Roro Roro
Roro Roro
1631419364
Amazing team at the Tillman Law, LLC . His work speaks for it self. Thank you for being professional and above all understanding to different people. God bless everyone that works there .
Mercury Nightstone
Mercury Nightstone
1628733283
Aaron and his staff, especially Jason, were all extremely courteous, timely, and professional. Highly recommend, truly appreciate your hard work!
Danielle Martin
Danielle Martin
1627923620
The Tillman Law Firm is amazing! I have been very pleased with everyone that I came in contact with concerning my case. They filed the case against the insurance company and fought hard in litigation to get what rightfully was taken from me. I would highly recommend them, they are the best in the Portland metro area!
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