Aortic Lacerations are the second leading cause of death at the scene of auto accidents. It is very difficult for paramedics or EMS personnel to save someone who has received an aortic laceration (or tear) in any type of accident. However, it will depend on the severity of the laceration and whether the chest cavity can somehow stabilize the situation long enough for that individual to get to a hospital for open heart surgery to repair the laceration.
Aortic lacerations are defined as a tearing of the aorta, one of the main arteries through which blood flows from the heart. In some accidents, the aorta can be lacerated or torn due to a sheering effect from the forces involved. While it can happen in accidents of any kind, it is much more common from a lateral (or side impact) automobile collision. Frontal impact collisions also may have a higher incidence of aortic lacerations, if there is a significant lateral component involved in the manner in which cars collided.
In those accidents where victims suffer aortic lacerations and there is a significant lateral component, studies have shown that seat belt use does little, if anything, to prevent this type of injury. Seat belts primarily prevent the victim from being ejected from the vehicle. This information is based on studies and peer-reviewed articles from numerous medical and engineering professionals that have been sponsored in whole or in part by the federal government.
The legal team at Christopher Ligori & Associates has worked on numerous cases regarding aortic lacerations from all types of accidents. Attorneys and staff have extensive knowledge regarding the facts and circumstances surrounding this type of injury and forces involved for it to occur. If you have any questions regarding aortic lacerations as a result of an accident, please call the office at 877-444-2929 for a free consultation.
Visit these websites for additional information:
- Aortic Injuries https://www.autosafetyresearch.org/pdfs/ESV-050232.pdf
- Traumatic Aortic Ruptures https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traumatic_aortic_rupture
- Change in Velocity and energy Dissipation on Impact in Motor Vehicle Crashes as a Function of Direction of Crash… https://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/Abstract/2004/10000/Change_in_Velocity_and_Energy_Dissipation_on.11.aspx
- Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury: Delayed or Early Repair? https://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/Abstract/1999/08000/Blunt_Thoracic_Aortic_Injury__Delayed_or_Early.6.aspx
- The Epidemiology of Traumatic Rupture of the Thoracic Aorta in children https://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/Citation/1997/03000/Red_River_Anthology.1.aspx
