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Car accidents create a tremendous force that the body must absorb, resulting in multiple injuries, including bone fractures, ranging from mild to severe breaks, all of which are painful. If you endured fractures in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. If another individual was responsible for the accident through negligence and recklessness, you have the right to pursue a claim against that person’s insurance company for monetary damages. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation to assist you in your recovery. This blog will provide detailed information and a starting place for those who have suffered broken bones and fractures caused by car accidents.
Bone fracture is any break in the structure of a bone in the body. Sometimes, it can be a severe condition that needs immediate medical attention. Below are some of the most common ways that bones are fractured occur during car accidents.
Various types of bone fractures exist, some more common than others, depending on what kind of accident occurred. Car accident victims may suffer the following injuries:
Other kinds of fractures may also happen due to a car accident.
Avulsion: These painful fractures happen when the bone separates from the tendons and ligaments. If an avulsion occurs, you will likely need orthopedic surgery.
Buckles: Buckles are fractures in the growing bones of young children. Buckles happen when the bone begins to break but bends or buckles. The treatment for this usually is immobilization with a splint or a cast for several weeks.
Comminuted: This is a bone fracture into at least three pieces, but it can result in more than three. These fractures cannot be repaired. Unfortunately, a comminuted fracture frequently leaves no treatment option but amputation.
Compound: A compound fracture causes the broken bone to poke through the skin. This break most often requires surgery within 24 hours. In addition, the doctor will treat this patient with antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections, as well as update the victim’s Tetanus shot.
Hairline: These minor fractures often go unnoticed. Victims may attribute the pain to bruising from the car accident. Therefore, the crack will continue to run until they seek treatment. Once diagnosed, a hairline fracture will usually be immobilized with a boot, splint, or cast for several weeks.
Oblique: An oblique fracture has a diagonal course, which happens most frequently in auto collisions as the bone gets pinched into place and then twisted during impact. The oblique fracture typically requires surgical procedures to reset the bone and screws to hold it in place as it mends.
Stress: Like buckle fractures, stress fractures also occur in young children with still-forming bones. However, when a person has suffered a stress fracture, one side of the bone will bend, and the other will fracture. This requires immobilization, typically with a splint, boot, or cast.
Transverse: This fracture breaks the bones into two pieces, at a right-angle position. The transverse fracture requires immobilization. In addition, surgical intervention might be needed.
The most common bone fractures from car accidents affect the femur, humerus, spine, and skull.
Sharp bone fragments can damage the spinal cord, resulting in paralysis or brain damage. Leg and arm bone fractures are the more common fractures resulting from auto accidents. Spine and skull fractures are also common injuries that may result in damage to the spinal cord and brain.
Other common bone fractures that can happen during car accidents include the ribs, tibia, fibula, and pelvis. The tibia and fibula are a part of the lower legs. Rib fractures can lead to punctured lungs. These injuries might become life-threatening if not treated properly.
Less serious bone fracture include the clavicle, ulna, radius, foot, hand, and scapula. The clavicle bone supports the shoulders, the ulna and radius are part of the forearm, and the scapula is the shoulder blade.
Fractures to the hands and feet may cause an individual to miss work depending on their job requirements. Hand fractures that are severe enough might cause permanent impairments that could lead to job loss.
Sometimes, a bone fracture caused by a car accident will require multiple X-ray sessions, depending on the type of broken bone, splints, and a cast. Healing can be a three to four-week period. More severe injuries will require surgical intervention, including implants, such as wire, screws, and plates. These surgeries can be costly. Physical therapy or other rehabilitation is often required, and there is no guarantee that you will regain full function.
Compensation for your bone fractures depends on the severity of your injuries. Mild bone fractures that heal within a few weeks might earn you compensation for medical bills. Moderate to severe bone fractures resulting in long-term medical care and complications could make you more payment.
Two compensation types can occur when the other driver was partially at fault for the car accident. Financial damages include medical expenses, property damages to your vehicle, and lost income. In addition, many individuals experience pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.
You should consider contacting a Delaware car accident lawyer if you want to seek compensation after a car accident. An experienced and knowledgeable lawyer can help you with the process behind attaining compensation.
If you or a family member are suffering from a bone fracture from a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the negligent driver. Speak with an experienced Delaware car accident lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. to receive advice from experienced lawyers. Call our seasoned lawyers at 302-656-5445 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation and learn about the services we can provide. With offices in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we proudly serve Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.