Collapsed Lung From a Car Accident

Compensation for Collapsed Lung after a Car Accident in Chicago

A collapsed lung from a car accident can lead to serious complications that affect breathing, mobility, and long-term health. Medically known as pneumothorax, this injury occurs when air leaks into the pleural space—the area between the lung and chest wall—preventing the lung from fully inflating. 

It’s a life-threatening condition that often requires urgent medical treatment, especially when caused by traumatic chest injuries in high-speed collisions. Understanding how this injury occurs, what symptoms to look for, and your legal options can help protect both your health and your ability to receive fair compensation. 

What Is a Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax)?

A collapsed lung, or pneumothorax, occurs when air escapes the lung and becomes trapped in the chest, placing pressure on the lung and chest cavity. This buildup limits the lung’s ability to expand and makes it harder to breathe. According to the New York State Department of Health, simple pneumothorax occurs in approximately 10–30% of blunt chest trauma cases. 

Traumatic lung injuries from a crash are a leading cause of this condition. While a partially collapsed lung may heal with rest and monitoring, more severe cases typically require chest tube drainage or surgical procedures to restore proper lung function.

How a Collapsed Lung Happens in a Car Accident

Several traumatic events during a crash can result in a collapsed lung. The type and location of the impact often determine how serious the damage is, especially when forced air enters spaces where it shouldn’t. 

Below are the most common ways lung function can be compromised in the aftermath of a high-impact collision.

Direct Impact and Rib Fractures

High-speed collisions often cause blunt force trauma that fractures ribs and sends sharp bone fragments into the surrounding tissue. This can puncture the lung and allow air to escape into the pleural space, leading to a dangerous buildup of air pressure. 

Rib fractures are one of the most common causes of pneumothorax in serious crashes. Victims may experience immediate chest pain, especially when trying to breathe deeply or move.

Seatbelt Compression Injuries

Seatbelts are essential for safety, but the force they exert across the torso can cause internal damage. In severe collisions, the restraint can compress the ribcage and force air into areas it doesn’t belong, potentially causing air leaks and a partially collapsed lung. Even when external injuries aren’t visible, underlying damage can limit lung function and create ongoing discomfort.

Airbag-Related Trauma

Airbags deploy rapidly to reduce impact, but a forceful strike against the upper body can bruise or compress the thorax. This kind of pressure may lead to a lung collapse, especially in smaller adults or those with underlying lung disease. When delicate lung tissue is affected, symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain can appear quickly.

Punctured Lung Trauma From Debris

In more violent wrecks, shattered glass, twisted metal, or interior components can pierce through the skin and soft tissue, entering the pleural space. These penetrating injuries allow air to flood into the chest cavity, disrupting breathing and lung expansion. 

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cystic lung disease are especially vulnerable to complications from a collapsed lung caused by these types of wounds.

Common Symptoms of a Collapsed Lung

Recognizing the symptoms linked to a collapsed lung is crucial for getting immediate medical care. Because the condition can escalate quickly, knowing what to look for helps prevent serious complications.

Below are the most commonly reported signs following chest trauma.

Sharp Chest Pain

Pain is usually felt on one side and often worsens with movement, coughing, or deep breathing.

Shortness of Breath

Victims often report difficulty breathing, especially during physical movement or when lying flat. The inability to take a full breath may appear suddenly or develop over time.

Bluish Skin or Lips

A noticeable bluish tone in the lips or fingers signals that the body isn’t getting enough oxygen.

Rapid Breathing and Fatigue

In response to reduced airflow, the body increases breathing rate, which can cause exhaustion and dizziness.

Dry, Hacking Cough

A persistent cough that feels dry or irritating is common, particularly when paired with difficulty breathing or chest pressure.

Chest Tightness or Pressure

This sensation is common and often misread as a muscle strain or bruising from the impact.

Since many of these symptoms overlap with other thoracic injuries like rib fractures or pulmonary contusion, imaging is key for an accurate diagnosis. Early intervention can prevent further complications and help restore respiratory stability.

Types of Lung Injuries in Car Crashes

Car crashes often lead to traumatic injuries that affect the chest. The force involved in high-speed impacts puts the human body at serious risk for several types of chest injuries, especially when ribs are fractured or blunt trauma occurs. 

These complications can cause difficulty breathing and often require immediate evaluation.

• Punctured lungs result when something penetrates the lung, such as a broken rib or debris. When air escapes into areas it shouldn’t, it disrupts breathing and may cause respiratory failure if untreated. In some cases, small air blisters on the lung surface can rupture during a crash, contributing to the problem.
• Lung contusions, or bruising of the lung, are internal injuries caused by blunt impact. Blood and fluid can collect inside the lungs, making it harder for oxygen to move through the body and potentially triggering acute respiratory distress syndrome.
• Collapsed lungs caused by rib fractures are particularly dangerous, as they involve both structural damage and impaired breathing. Many patients with rib fractures also suffer related complications, including pulmonary contusion.

These traumatic injuries can cause difficulty breathing and require urgent evaluation. Studies show that pneumothorax or hemothorax develops in 24.9% of patients with one or two rib fractures and 81.4% of those with multiple fractures. 

If you have difficulty breathing after a crash, you should seek medical care right away. Early diagnosis helps reduce long-term damage and protect healthy lung function.

Risk Factors for a Collapsed Lung After a Car Accident

Some individuals face a higher risk of lung injury after a collision. Pre-existing conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease make the lungs more fragile and susceptible to damage. High-speed accidents increase the risk of rib fractures and traumatic pneumothorax. 

Airbag-related injuries and seatbelt compression can also contribute to a collapsed lung. Other risk factors include previous lung disease, ruptured air blisters, and a history of traumatic injuries to the chest wall.

Diagnosis and Treatment for a Collapsed Lung 

A collapsed lung resulting from a crash demands urgent medical evaluation. Doctors use imaging and vital signs to assess how severe the damage is. Even a small pneumothorax caused by a puncture to the lung or pulmonary contusion can lead to serious breathing issues if not treated quickly.

Common diagnoses and treatments include: 

• X-rays, CT scans, and pulse checks help confirm the collapse and locate internal damage.
• Medical monitoring and rest may be enough in less severe cases.
• Oxygen treatment is often used to support breathing and help the lung re-expand.
• Small chest tube insertion is used to release excess air trapped around the lung and reduce pressure.
• Chest tube insertion helps re-expand the lung and relieve pressure.
• Medical procedures like pleurodesis are sometimes needed for recurring issues.

Getting the right care early can prevent long-term complications. A timely response helps restore lung function, avoid worsening symptoms, and reduce the risk of repeat episodes.

Serious Consequences of an Untreated Collapsed Lung

Failure to seek medical treatment for a collapsed lung can result in severe outcomes. For example, tension pneumothorax happens when trapped air builds up so much pressure that it shifts the chest cavity and compresses the heart. This is a medical emergency that can lead to respiratory failure and death if not treated promptly.

Chronic lung conditions may develop over time in patients who suffer repeated damage to the lung tissue. A neglected collapsed lung can increase the risk of infections like pneumonia, lead to long-term medical care, and, in some cases, raise the likelihood of developing lung cancer.

Seeking Compensation for a Collapsed Lung Resulting From a Car Accident

A collapsed lung caused by a crash can have lasting effects, physically and financially. The cost of treatment, time away from work, and emotional distress add up quickly. Filing a legal claim may help you recover the losses connected to this serious condition.

Settlements can cover: 

• Medical expenses, including hospitalization, chest tubes, surgery, imaging, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
• Lost wages, covering missed work during recovery, and any reduced earning ability caused by long-term complications.
• Pain and suffering, acknowledging the physical discomfort, anxiety, and emotional toll that come with serious chest injuries.
• Future medical costs, especially in cases involving chronic lung disease, permanent scarring, or other lasting health concerns.
• Reduced quality of life for those who experience limited mobility, long-term breathing issues, or activity restrictions.

If someone else’s negligence caused your collapsed lung, pursuing financial compensation may be the key to protecting your future health, stability, and peace of mind. A Chicago car accident lawyer can help you understand your options and advocate for the full amount you’re owed.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Legal help can make a big difference after a serious crash. If you’re facing a punctured lung, collapsed lung, or related complications, a lawyer can build your case and protect your interests.

A lawyer will:

• Investigate the crash and connect your condition to the collision.
• Gather records to support delayed or internal injuries.
• Challenge insurers who downplay a collapsed lung.
• Calculate financial compensation for care, lost wages, and pain.
• File a lawsuit if a fair offer isn’t made.
  

Even non-fatal occurrences of these lung injuries can lead to long-term diminished respiratory function, making proper compensation critical. With the right legal support, you’re in a stronger position to recover what you’re owed.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

If you suffered a collapsed lung from a car accident, don’t delay. Immediate medical attention and legal guidance are critical. Our Chicago car accident attorneys are experienced in helping victims of traumatic pneumothorax, punctured lung injuries, and other chest trauma.

We understand how these injuries affect your daily life, your ability to work, and your long-term health. Contact our team today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you secure the fair compensation you deserve.

Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online form.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.