There are many types of injuries that can occur when you’re involved in an auto accident, including broken bones. Suffering a broken bone in a crash can happen for a variety of reasons such as:
- Absorbing the crushing impact when a car collides with another vehicle
- Being thrown out of a vehicle during a crash when not wearing a seatbelt
- Being struck by unsecured objects in the car or when the air bag deploys
- Hitting the dashboard or steering wheel during impact
Types of Broken Bone Injuries
Any bone can break depending on the specific circumstances of the accident. However, there are certain bones more prone to breaking in a car crash than others. The most common are:
- Leg
- Arm
- Wrist
- Collarbone
- Ankle
- Hip
- Back
- Neck
- Pelvis
- Ribs
- Fingers or hand
- Facial bones such as the jaw, nose, or cheekbones
There are various types of bone breaks or fractures that can happen in a car accident. These include:
- Stress fracture. A stress fracture is a hairline crack on the surface of the bone.
- Comminuted fracture. A comminuted fracture happens when the bone is broken into multiple pieces.
- Transverse fracture. A transverse fracture is a break horizontal to the bone.
- Simple fracture. A simple or closed fracture is a break that does not penetrate the skin.
- Open fracture. With an open fracture, the bone penetrates the skin.
- Displaced fracture. A displaced fracture happens when the broken bone is misaligned.
- Incomplete fracture. An incomplete fracture occurs when there are large cracks in the bone, but the bone itself does not break into pieces.
- Complete fracture. A complete fracture occurs when the bone completely splits apart into pieces.
The type of treatment needed for a broken bone depends on the severity of the break as well as the location. Some broken bones require surgery then a cast to keep the bone in place while it heals. In addition, medication may be needed to help control the pain. During recovery, physical therapy and other treatments may be needed to help regain movement or function of the bone or joint that was damaged. The recovery process can be painful and take time. Some bones do not heal properly and may require additional surgeries and on-going medical treatment.
Recovery for Broken Bone Injuries
If you suffered broken bones in a car accident, it is important to contact an attorney immediately after the accident. Repairing broken bones and recovering from the injuries can be both costly and painful. An experienced accident attorney will help you file a claim to recover damages that may include:
- Medical expenses and treatment
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Loss of income and future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
To protect your legal rights after an accident, there are several things to do that can make a difference in the outcome of your case, including:
- Seek medical attention for any injuries no matter how minor they may seem, and get a copy of the medical report
- File a police report and obtain a copy
- Avoid posting about the accident on social media sites
- Do not speak or negotiate with an insurance adjuster who will want to settle your case for the least amount of money possible
- Contact an experienced car accident attorney to help with your case
Contact Browning Law Firm
If you were involved in an auto accident and suffered broken bones as a result, contact Browning Law Firm today. We can provide a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your case. To schedule an appointment, fill out our convenient contact form, or call us today.
Related links: |