A Collapsed Lung Resulting From an Auto Accident

An auto accident can wreak havoc on any part of the body. The collision between a vehicle occupant and elements inside of the car during a crash, such as a steering column or dashboard, could cause injuries such as broken bones and concussions. The internal collision – when the organs stop their forward motion by colliding with other organs or the skeleton – can cause many internal injuries. One serious potential injury if a crash impacts the chest is a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).

What Is a Collapsed Lung?

The lungs are vital organs responsible for keeping the respiratory system functioning. They help the body transfer oxygen from the air to the circulatory system, delivering essential nutrients to the blood. The lungs are delicate organs, shaped like twin sacs, that can suffer punctures or collapse due to trauma. While the hard bones of the ribs serve to protect the lungs from many external forces, a serious enough accident could break the ribs and lead to a lung puncture. If an auto accident injures the fragile lungs, one or both could collapse.

A collapsed lung stems from a puncture. A rib could break in an accident and strike the lungs enough to tear the tissues and puncture the sac. This could allow air to collect in the chest cavity and fill in the space around the lungs. A buildup of air can push on the lungs, making it difficult to breathe as the air sacs cannot fully expand. If not treated right away, a punctured lung could ultimately lead to lung collapse, a life-threatening event in which walls of the lungs cannot expand.

A collapsed lung can occur in an auto accident from blunt force trauma to the chest. For example, in a pedestrian accident, the victim could strike the hood of the car and suffer chest, rib, lung and respiratory system injuries. Lung injuries can also arise from the pressure of a seat belt against the chest cavity in a car accident. A seat belt is often what halts the high-velocity forward movement of a driver or passenger in an auto accident. While the seat belt may have saved the person’s life, the force of the body slamming into the chest belt can be enough to cause a collapsed lung injury.

Prognoses for Patients With Collapsed Lungs

Trauma to the chest in an auto accident can quickly culminate in a collapsed lung. Prompt emergency treatment at the scene of the crash may be necessary. Immediate treatment can include emergency personnel inserting a needle into the rib cage to quickly decompress the lung and relieve trapped air within the chest cavity. This is a temporary remedy to help prevent suffocation. The goal is to relieve the pressure and allow the lungs to re-expand as soon as possible.

Once moved to a hospital setting, the patient may require surgery to close the lung puncture. In more minor cases, a doctor may monitor the condition for several weeks while the body absorbs the extra air naturally and the lungs re-expand. In other cases, a doctor may leave in a lung catheter, or flexible tube, to help trapped air leave the chest cavity. The patient may also need a chest tube to continuously pull excess air out and allow the lungs to re-expand. If a chest tube is unsuccessful, a doctor could try a few other nonsurgical techniques to get the lungs to expand before moving to surgery.

Recovering Compensation for a Collapsed Lung in Texas

If you have a collapsed lung from an auto accident in Texas, the driver that caused your crash could be liable for your hospital bills, physical pain, emotional distress, lost income and other damages. A lawyer can help you navigate the state’s fault-based insurance laws to pursue fair compensation for your economic and noneconomic damages. The at-fault party may owe you money for the pain and financial losses you suffered due to a collapsed lung.