Arkansas drivers may wish to know some information about a sternum fracture, an injury that commonly results from a car accident. Due to the potential severity of the injury, care should be taken to avoid them through safety measures.
When someone is injured in a car accident, the trauma can affect many body parts in different ways. A sternum fracture is one such injury that can lead to serious health issues. The sternum is the bone that sits beneath a person’s chest, between the two sides of the rib cage. When a person experiences chest trauma, up to 8 percent of cases result in a sternum fracture. According to statistics, as many as 90 percent of these fractures are the result of a motor vehicle accident.
When drivers or passengers are not wearing a seat belt during a car crash, their chest can strike hard against the steering wheel or dashboard. This trauma can fracture the sternum. This fracture can lead to a punctured lung or damage to the aorta. Other injuries, such as bleeding inside the chest cavity or bruising of the heart or lungs, are also possible. Injuries associated with a sternum fracture can have anywhere from a 25 to 45 percent chance of causing death. This type of injury is usually treated with rest and cold compresses; although, surgery may be necessary in more serious cases.
When an injury results because of another driver’s negligence, one may be able to bring legal action against the responsible party. An attorney may be helpful in examining the evidence and determining the appropriate course of action. This could include a civil personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver, which could result in compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages.