Your rib and chest pain from a car accident can be one or more of quite a few things. The types of chest pain range from minor to major.
Muscle Strain: This occurs because during impact your muscles can stretch too far, or even tear. This is not as serious as other chest pains; however, it can cause severe pain.
Bruised Ribs: While many types of bruises are associated with car accidents, the ribs and sternum are some of the most commonly bruised body parts. They can be bruised as a result of hitting the steering wheel, being restricted by the seatbelt, or the airbags opening. This may cause chest pain, tightness, or discomfort.
Fractured Ribs: While the skin over your ribs may be bruised, often, ribs are often fractured. This can occur when you hit the steering wheel or dashboard, or when the airbag opens. Fractured ribs can cause sharp and excruciating pain in your chest.
Internal Organ Injuries: When damaged, essential organs like the liver, kidneys, spleen, heart, or lungs, can cause chest pain. Each of these have extreme and life-threatening complications.
Heart Attack: Any stressful situation or traumatic event, like a car accident, can trigger a heart attack in an otherwise healthy person. This may happen immediately after, during, or soon after the crash. Often, people mistake a heart attack for chest pain.
