The pain of a broken bone can be debilitating. After suffering through the trauma of a car accident, the slow healing of a broken bone is a constant reminder of the damage that was done.
Broken bones require constant medical care and sometimes need invasive surgery, also making them a financial burden. When accompanied by expenses such as lost wages and future medical treatment, the cost of a broken bone from a car accident quickly adds up.
At Weinstein Legal, we believe you shouldn't have to walk this path alone. Our trusted car accident lawyer will fight tirelessly for your right to compensation so that you can receive the financial payment you deserve. If you've recently been involved in a car accident caused by a negligent or careless driver and sustained broken bones as a consequence, our experienced attorneys are here to help.
For a free consultation, fill out the free case evaluation form to your right.
How Fractures Occur During Auto Accidents
Broken bones are a common occurrence following a car accident. The severity of the fracture can vary depending on the type of collision, but even minor accidents can cause traumatic breaks. As two vehicles collide, the inertia of each opposing force causes everything in the vehicle - including the drivers and passengers - to move in that direction.
In many cases, this forward momentum ultimately causes a broken bone. With such limited space in a vehicle, a victim is often thrown into or caught between objects such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or car door. Likewise, it's a common defense mechanism for victims to cover their face with their hands during an accident, which can result in the finger, hand, wrist, and facial fractures.
- The amount of power on impact when a car collides with a larger vehicle, such as a semi-truck accident, can cause a crushing effect, breaking bones.
- If a victim is not wearing a seat belt they can be thrown out of the vehicle and the impact can cause several devastating injuries, including bone fractures.
- A vehicle rollover is a type of car accident that can easily break bones.
- The high velocity of an airbag in deployment can cause many types of injuries. If you have experienced injuries from an airbag following an accident, contact an airbag injury lawyer.
- Striking an object in the vehicle during impact can cause a bone to break.
Types of Broken Bones Associated with Car Accidents
During a car accident, the body absorbs a large amount of force, generating immense pressure on the areas which receive the brunt of the impact. While the terms broken bone and bone fracture can be used interchangeably, there are many different types of ways for a bone to break. All are classified as either simple or compound: simple meaning that the fracture occurred beneath the skin, and compound meaning that the bone exited the body at some point during the injury.
- Avulsion: Bone separates from soft tissue; requires surgical intervention.
- Buckle: Bone begins to bend, rupture, or strain, but does not break.
- Comminuted: Bone breaks into three or more pieces; extremely difficult to repair.
- Hairline: Partial breaks or small cracks in the bone.
- Oblique: Bone breaks along the diagonal axis; occurs when one bone gets trapped and another bone twists on top.
- Stress: One side of the bone breaks and the other side bends.
- Transverse: Bone snaps into two pieces.
Each type of break requires treatment specific to the injury. In many cases, broken bones resulting from car accidents require surgery, rehabilitation, and physical therapy, amounting to thousands of dollars in medical bills. If you've suffered a bone fracture from a car accident and are now dealing with the financial damages, contact the car accident attorneys at Weinstein Legal as soon as possible.
Which Bones Commonly Break during Car Accidents?
Car accidents are a unique scenario given the fact that a victim is seated upon impact. As most victims are often in a similar position, regardless of the type of auto accident, a similar collection of bone fractures occurs throughout a majority of crashes.
- Rib
- Hip
- Arm
- Back
- Wrist
- Pelvis
- Femur
- Clavicle
- Facial/Skull
- Tibia/Fibula
- Fingers/Hand
Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Bone
Depending on the type of fracture, not all broken bones are immediately obvious at the moment of impact. If the fracture happened beneath the skin, as with simple fractures, the lack of physical evidence can allow the shock and trauma of the accident itself to distract from the break.
However, even minor accidents can result in painful fractures.
- Loss of or limited function
- Swelling, redness, or bruising
- Deformity of the affected area
- Pain in the afflicted area that worsens when the area is moved or pressure is applied
If you or a loved one believe you may be suffering the symptoms of a broken bone, seek medical attention immediately. Left untreated, broken bones can result in chronic pain or permanent dysfunction. Due to the severity of the injury, access to medical treatment is pivotal.
Pursuing a personal injury case after a car accident is the most effective way of regaining financial compensation to pay for the necessary medical care. Speak with an experienced car accident attorney today to learn more.
Treatment and Compensation for Broken Bones
While minor breaks take 6 to 12 weeks to heal to a significant degree, older victims often take longer to heal. Likewise, broken bones can require follow-up surgery, physical therapy, or other further medical treatment in order to properly restore function.
Whether your bone fractures require a cast, surgery, physical rehabilitation, or other ongoing medical treatment, it is crucial for the individual who caused your crash to cover your medical bills.
- The cost of future medical treatment.
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress stemming from the accident.
- Lost wages if your broken bone caused you to take time off from work.
- Ongoing lost wages if the injury leaves you unable to work at your prior job or you can no longer work at all.
If you have suffered broken bones in a car accident that was not your fault, Weinstein Legal may be able to help you obtain compensation to assist you during this debilitating time. Our trusted auto accident attorneys are dedicated to winning you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Contact Weinstein Legal for a free consultation, and begin seeking compensation for your injuries today.
