Broken bones are among the most common bicycle accident injuries. Cyclists lack the protection of vehicle frames, making fractures likely when collisions occur. While some fractures heal completely, many bicycle accident fractures cause lasting complications requiring substantial compensation.
Common Fracture Locations in Bicycle Accidents
Upper extremity fractures occur when cyclists extend arms to break falls. Clavicle (collarbone) fractures are extremely common in cycling crashes. Wrist and forearm fractures, shoulder injuries, and hand fractures also result from impact with pavement or vehicles.
Lower extremity fractures occur from direct vehicle impact or from the bicycle itself during crashes. Femur, tibia, fibula, ankle, and foot fractures cause extended disability. Pelvic fractures from high-force impacts are particularly serious and often accompany internal injuries.
Facial fractures from unprotected face impacts cause both functional problems and disfigurement. Spinal and rib fractures create additional complications and pain.
Types of Fractures and Their Severity
Simple fractures involve clean breaks without displacement. Comminuted fractures shatter bone into multiple fragments, complicating healing. Compound (open) fractures break through skin, creating infection risk.
Intra-articular fractures extend into joints, significantly increasing arthritis risk. Growth plate fractures in children can affect bone development. The type and location of fractures determine treatment complexity and long-term prognosis.
Treatment and Recovery
Fracture treatment ranges from casting and immobilization for simple breaks to surgical intervention for complex injuries. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) uses plates, screws, and rods to stabilize bones. External fixators, bone grafting, and multiple staged surgeries may be needed for severe cases.
Recovery involves extended immobilization periods, physical therapy, and gradual return to activity. Many patients never regain full function. Chronic pain, limited range of motion, and post-traumatic arthritis are common long-term outcomes.
Complications Affecting Damages
Fracture complications increase claim values significantly. Non-union (failure to heal) requires additional surgery. Malunion (improper healing) may need corrective procedures. Hardware failure and infection necessitate further treatment.
Chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can develop after fractures, causing severe ongoing pain. Post-traumatic arthritis develops over years, eventually requiring joint replacement in many cases.
Calculating Fracture Injury Damages
Damages for bicycle accident fractures include all medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, hardware, physical therapy), lost wages during recovery, future medical costs for likely complications, pain and suffering throughout treatment and recovery, and permanent impairment and disability.
Expert testimony from orthopedic specialists regarding permanent impairment ratings and likely future treatment supports damage calculations. Vocational experts address lost earning capacity when fractures prevent return to previous work.
Documenting Your Fracture Claim
Follow all treatment recommendations and attend every appointment. Document your recovery with photographs and a journal describing pain levels and limitations. Keep records of all expenses, missed work, and activities you can no longer perform.
If you suffered fractures in a bicycle accident, thorough documentation and legal representation help ensure full compensation for what are often life-altering injuries.