Penetrating injuries associated with thoracic trauma are typically associated with stab wounds and gunshot wounds. The latter causes far more damage because of the large amount of kinetic energy transferred to the thoracic cavity from the impact of the bullet. As a result, gunshot wounds to the thorax are diffuse and much more likely to be fatal compared to stab wounds.

Blunt injuries to the chest are far more common than penetrating injuries. The most common causes of blunt injuries are deceleration injuries (as a result of motor vehicle accidents) and crush injuries. These range from relatively minor injuries such as rib fractures to more severe injuries such as lung contusions, tracheobronchial tears, flail chest, pneumothorax, hemothorax, injuries to the great vessels, and traumatic rupture of the esophagus or diaphragm.