Chest Injuries
While most chest injuries from car accidents are cuts, scrapes, or bruises, in more severe accidents the chest can be impacted which can result in rib injuries and even broken ribs.
If a driver is not wearing a seatbelt before a car accident, impact with the steering wheel can cause trauma, and if the driver is wearing a belt, extreme pressure may be exerted against them through the chest strap.
Even if you feel perfectly normal after a car accident, seat belts could have caused internal damage. Organ bruising is a high risk after collisions of moderate speed, and might not be externally visible or noticeably painful.
Cracked ribs might not be obvious until they are a serious problem. You should have your entire body examined to be sure no internal chest injuries have occurred after a car crash.