Broken Ribs After Car Accident: Symptoms, Treatment And Legal Rights

Broken ribs are a common and serious injury in car accidents. Impact from a steering wheel or dashboard can fracture ribs, causing chest pain, tenderness, and difficulty breathing. Seek immediate medical care to rule out other injuries and get proper treatment, which may include pain management or surgery.

An experienced attorney will help you protect your legal rights to compensation and economic damages and help you to recover the best possible settlement. If your chest injuries were caused from a crash in Michigan, this will include pain and suffering compensation from the at-fault driver who caused the crash  and that resulted in your chest injuries. Depending on your level of restrictions and impairment, it will likely also include No-Fault wage loss benefits as well as additional No-Fault PIP benefits such as replacement services. Finally, an economic claim can be brought against the wrongdoer driver to cover excess and future medical bills and lost wages beyond the first three years of auto No-Fault wage loss.

To learn more about how much a settlement in your case may be worth, please check our settlement calculator.

Can you break your ribs in a car accident?

Yes, you can break your ribs in a car accident often due to: (1) your chest colliding with the steering wheel or column; (2) your chest striking the dashboard; and/or (3) the force exerted by your seatbelt against your chest at the moment of impact.

Symptoms of broken ribs after a car accident 

• Sharp or severe chest pain, especially when breathing, coughing, or moving
• Tenderness or swelling around the injured area
• Pain that worsens with deep breaths or pressure
• Bruising on the chest or side
• Difficulty breathing deeply
• Shortness of breath
• A cracking or popping feeling at the time of injury
• Shallow breathing due to pain
• Painful bending or twisting
• Tightness in your chest
• Swelling or bruising
• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness

In severe cases, broken ribs after a car accident can lead to complications like punctured lungs or internal bleeding, so medical evaluation is important.

Types of chest injuries after a crash

The most common types chest injuries include:

• Sprained ribs – Stretching or tearing of ligaments around the rib caused by the impact of the crash, leading to pain and limited movement.
• Bruised ribs – Rib pain and tenderness caused by blunt force trauma from the crash damaging the tissue around the ribs.
• Cracked ribs – Small fractures in the rib bones from blunt force impact of the crash, causing sharp pain, especially with breathing or movement.
• Broken ribs – Fractured rib bones from the severe impact of the car accident, causing intense pain and difficulty to breathe
• Flail chest – A serious injury where multiple ribs break in multiple places, causing part of the chest to move abnormally when breathing.

Diagnosis

Your doctor may recommend that you undergo one or more of the following diagnostic tests to determine whether and the extent to which you have suffered fractured ribs after a crash: (1) X-rays; (2) CT scan; (3) MRI; and/or (4) a bone scan.

Treatment

Depending on the severity of your fractured ribs, your doctor’s recommended treatment could include: (1) internal fixation surgery (surgically inserting plates, screws, pins and wires to hold your ribs in place); (2) bone grafting surgery; (3) physical therapy; and (4) pain medications.

What to do after suffering broken ribs from a car accident

• Seek immediate medical attention to assess and treat your injury.
• Follow your doctor’s advice for pain management and rest.
• Avoid strenuous activities to prevent worsening the injury.
• Keep records of all medical treatments and expenses.
• Notify your insurance company about the crash and injury.
• Consult an experienced lawyer to protect your legal rights and pursue compensation for your injuries and/or other damages.

Why are fractured ribs considered a serious injury after a crash?

Fractured ribs after a crash is considered a serious injury because they can puncture or otherwise damage a victim’s lungs, aorta (carrying blood from your heart to your circulatory system), kidneys, spleen and/or liver. Pneumonia is also common among victims who resist coughing because of the extreme pain.

Can you sue for broken ribs in a car accident?

In Michigan, you can sue for broken ribs after a car accident for pain and suffering compensation if the other driver was at fault and your injury meets the legal threshold for a serious impairment of body function. You can also sue your insurance company for unpaid benefits or wrongfully cut-off No-Fault benefits.

How long do you have to sue?

In Michigan, you have 3 years from the car accident to sue for pain and suffering compensation for broken ribs and 1 year to sue for unpaid or cut-off No-Fault (PIP) benefits. Meeting these deadlines is essential to protect your right to compensation.

About pain and suffering compensation

You may be able to recover compensation for your pain and suffering from the at-fault driver who caused the crash that caused your chest injuries, but under Michigan’s bodily injury threshold law you will first be required to prove that the driver was negligent and that your fractured ribs caused you to suffer a serious impairment of body function.

Depending on the extent of your medical bills and lost wages and whether they are fully covered by the coverage limits in the policy through which you are claiming benefits, you may also be able to recover economic damages from the at-fault driver for excess and future medical expenses and wage loss.

About No-Fault benefits

If you’re a Michigan resident and you’ve suffered broken ribs after a car accident, then you may be able to recover No-Fault PIP benefits to help you pay for your crash-related medical bills and for wages you were unable to earn before your chest injury prevented you from working.

To start the process, you must file an application for No-Fault benefits with the responsible insurance company within one (1) year of your crash. This is very important because if you fail to comply with the 1-year filing deadline, you will forfeit all of your legal rights to No-Fault benefits. That means you can’t request them or sue for them and if you do try to sue, the insurance company will be able to easily get your claim dismissed by the court.

Generally, the responsible insurance company that will be paying your No-Fault benefits will be your auto insurer or the insurer of your spouse or a relative who lives with you in your home. And if coverage is not available to you through any of those sources, then you can apply for benefits through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan and an auto insurer will be assigned to your claim.

How much compensation for broken ribs in a car accident?

Compensation for broken ribs after a car accident varies based on factors like injury severity, medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering. More serious injuries or complications typically lead to higher compensation. Consulting a personal injury attorney can help evaluate your case and potential recovery.

What is the average settlement for broken ribs from a car accident in Michigan?

In Michigan, there is no average settlement for broken ribs from a car accident. Compensation depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury, the number of ribs fractured, the medical treatment required, and any related complications such as punctured lungs or organ damage. Because every case is unique, it’s important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can evaluate your situation and help you pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.

Why should I choose an attorney from your law firm to represent me?

Michigan Auto Law is the state’s leading motor vehicle crash law firm, with a proven track record of securing some of the largest auto crash settlements and verdicts in Michigan history. With decades of experience focused solely on motor vehicle crash cases, our attorneys know how to navigate the complexities of Michigan’s no-fault insurance system and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

When you hire us, you’re not just getting legal representation — you’re getting a team that delivers award-winning, client-focused service. We treat every client like family, offering unmatched personal attention, clear communication, and compassionate support from start to finish. If you’ve suffered broken ribs or other serious injuries in a car accident, Michigan Auto Law is the trusted name you want on your side.

Injured and need legal help after a crash? Michigan Auto Law can help

If you suffered a chest injury after a crash in Michigan, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced auto crash injury lawyer. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

Michigan Auto Law is Michigan’s largest and most successful law firm that specializes exclusively in helping people who have been injured in automobile crashes.

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More importantly, this client-focused approach leads to better and faster settlements for our clients. Michigan Auto Law has recovered more million-dollar settlements and trial verdicts for motor vehicle crashes than any other lawyer or law firm in Michigan. We’ve also recovered the highest ever reported truck crash and auto crash settlement in the state.

Call now so we can start making a real difference for you.