Auto Accidents

My Ribs Were Fractured in a Car Accident. Now What?

November 30, 2020

Summertime in Wisconsin is perfect for enjoying time on the water. Whether you are setting sail on a family-friendly pontoon, fishing boat, or old canoe, a day on the lake just can’t be beaten.

However, there are safety risks involved with boating. Speeding, negligence, drinking, and inexperience are all common causes of boating accidents in Wisconsin. In this post, we want to share a few tips to help you stay safe on the water this summer.

How to Stay Safe While Boating in Wisconsin

Wearing a life jacket - According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 80% of boating accident deaths could be avoided by wearing life jackets. When a boating accident occurs, you have limited time to stretch and get your stowed life jackets. Therefore, it is advisable to ensure that you and everyone on board has a life jacket while boating.
Avoid drinking alcohol - Alcohol consumption while boating is illegal and endangers the lives of everyone on board. Remember that intoxicated swimmers and passengers are also more likely to drown.
Be weather-wise - Whether you are operating a boat during the summer, spring or fall season, always consider carrying a radio and watching out for the weather. Sometimes, wind shifts and choppy water can be telltale signs of a brewing storm. Get to shore as soon as you realize the weather is about to change.
Don’t overload the boat - It’s essential to follow your boat’s load limit restrictions. Overloading your boat can make it unstable and surge the risk of swamping or capsizing.
Ensure all operators are trained - Human error is a leading cause of boating accidents. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that all operators can effectively navigate and operate the boat. You can do this by ensuring boating operators take a boating safety course that includes reading the weather, boat handling, and navigation.
Maintain a safe speed - Like on the road, you can face penalties or fines for overspeeding on the water. Since there are no lanes on water and different water vessels zig-zag everywhere, it can be challenging for speeding boats to avoid collisions. Therefore, it is essential to ensure you excess caution and obey the speed limits.

What Should You Do After a Boating Accident?

After a boating accident, you should ensure that everyone on board is safe. If there are injuries, loss of life, property damage in excess of $2,000 or the total loss of a boat, you are required to report the incident to law enforcement without delay.

As with other accidents, it is essential to gather evidence immediately. You need to collect police reports, witness testimonies, videos, and photos of the scene. A Milwaukee boating accident attorney will help you gather the evidence you need to establish a strong case against the party at fault.

Contact a Milwaukee Boating Accident Attorney

At Natasha Misra Law, we are ready to help you get the compensation you need to move forward after a boat accident. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can assist in strengthening your case.

Chest injuries, particularly bruised or fractured ribs, are common in car accidents. While ribs usually heal without medical intervention, rib injuries can be painful and make breathing or coughing uncomfortable. If you suffered fractured ribs after a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain, as well as your accident-related medical expenses. Here is a quick overview of what you can expect with rib injuries from a car accident.

What are the symptoms of broken ribs?

Without an evaluation or diagnosis from a medical professional, it can be difficult to determine whether your ribs are fractured or simply bruised. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, visible bruising, and painful coughing or sneezing can indicate both fractures and contusions. However, when ribs are broken, the pain is often much sharper and may worsen when you bend or twist your upper body.

In some circumstances, rib injuries can be life-threatening. If you experience any of these symptoms following a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis to ensure appropriate treatment and to avoid further injury or subsequent illness.

How are broken ribs treated?

While many rib injuries heal on their own, they can be quite painful in the meantime and may yield long-term consequences. Rib fractures can lead to collapsed lungs, a serious medical condition that can make breathing difficult. Because they can cause further internal injury, broken ribs often require surgical intervention, particularly if more than one rib is broken or other internal organs have been damaged.

For less severe injuries, like bruising, you will likely be treated with OTC pain medication, ice, rest, and a period of restricted activity.

How do car accidents cause broken ribs?

The force of a car colliding with another vehicle or stationary object can result in blunt trauma to the chest, resulting in broken ribs and other injuries. Whether from the impact of the steering wheel, dash, or just the force of the seatbelt securing the rider safely in the seat, car accidents cause broken ribs through impact, force, or other collision.

Can I recover compensation for rib injuries?

Yes, if you are injured in a car accident, you may file a lawsuit against the responsible party to recover accident-related medical expenses, lost wages, and even compensation for pain and suffering. The circumstances surrounding the accident, nature of your injuries, treatment, and what kind of insurance you carry will factor into the outcome of your case.

If you were injured in a car accident, there are certain time limitations to file a case. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately to discuss your options. With an attorney to advocate for your interests, you can focus on healing while your attorney fights to recover the compensation you deserve.

Natasha Misra

My law practice is dedicated to helping people who have suffered injuries in accidents which were not their fault. Born and raised in Milwaukee, I come from a family of medical professionals. My background and experience help me understand and represent individuals injured in accidents.