Introduction
Broken bones are among the most common car accident injuries, ranging from simple fractures that heal in weeks to complex breaks requiring surgery and causing permanent disability. The forces involved in vehicle collisions can fracture nearly any bone in the body. If you've suffered broken bones in a car accident, understanding how fracture type affects your claim and compensation is essential.
This comprehensive guide covers types of fractures from car accidents, treatment and recovery, calculating damages for broken bone injuries, and pursuing full compensation for your fractures.
Broken bone injuries deserve fair compensation based on their severity and impact. We'll help you understand your claim and recover fully.
Types of Fractures from Car Accidents
Simple fractures are clean breaks where the bone stays in place. These typically heal well with casting or immobilization. Compound fractures are more serious, with the bone breaking through the skin and creating infection risk.
Comminuted fractures involve the bone shattering into multiple pieces. These complex breaks often require surgery with pins, plates, or screws and may result in permanent impairment.
Common car accident fractures include broken ribs from seatbelt or steering wheel impact, arm and wrist fractures from bracing against the dashboard, leg and hip fractures from lower body impact, facial fractures from airbag deployment, and spinal fractures from the collision forces.
The location and severity of your fracture significantly affect both your recovery and your claim value. Multiple fractures or fractures requiring surgery result in higher compensation.
Treatment and Recovery
Treatment depends on fracture type and location. Simple fractures may only require casting and immobilization, while complex fractures need surgical repair with internal fixation hardware.
Follow all treatment recommendations to protect your health and your claim. This includes keeping weight off injured limbs, attending physical therapy, and following restrictions on activities.
Recovery time varies significantly. Simple fractures may heal in 6-8 weeks, while complex fractures can take months and require multiple surgeries. Some fractures never fully heal, resulting in chronic pain and limited function.
Physical therapy is often necessary to restore strength and mobility after a fracture heals. The cost and duration of rehabilitation affects your total damages.
Complications and Long-Term Effects
Fractures can cause complications including malunion (bones healing incorrectly), nonunion (bones failing to heal), infection, nerve damage, and chronic pain. These complications significantly increase claim value.
Post-traumatic arthritis can develop years after a fracture, particularly in joints. You may be entitled to compensation for future medical needs related to this condition.
Scarring from surgical incisions or compound fractures is compensable, particularly if the scars are visible and affect your appearance or self-confidence.
Permanent impairment from fractures that don't heal properly affects your ability to work and enjoy activities. This long-term impact is a significant component of damages.
Calculating Damages for Broken Bones
Medical expenses include emergency room treatment, surgery, hospital stays, follow-up care, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any medical equipment like crutches or braces.
Lost wages compensate for time missed from work during treatment and recovery. If your fracture prevents returning to your previous job, you may recover lost earning capacity.
Pain and suffering damages compensate for the physical pain of the fracture and recovery. Broken bones are painful injuries that significantly impact quality of life during healing.
Future medical expenses may be necessary if your fracture causes lasting problems requiring ongoing treatment or future surgery, such as hardware removal.
Settlement Factors
Fracture severity significantly affects settlement value. A simple wrist fracture settles for far less than a comminuted femur requiring multiple surgeries.
Recovery time and complications increase value. Fractures requiring surgery, extended recovery, or resulting in permanent impairment settle for significantly more.
Impact on work and daily activities matters. If your fracture prevents you from returning to your job or enjoying hobbies, this increases your damages.
Clear liability with documented injuries results in higher settlements. Strong evidence of the other driver's fault and thorough medical documentation maximize your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion and Next Steps
Broken bone injuries range from minor to life-altering, and your compensation should reflect the true impact of your fracture. Don't accept a quick settlement before understanding the full extent of your injury and recovery.
The most important steps you can take right now are: follow all medical treatment recommendations, attend physical therapy, document how the injury affects your life, and keep records of all expenses and lost wages.
If you've suffered broken bones in a car accident, contact a qualified car accident attorney for a free case evaluation. An experienced attorney can calculate the true value of your fracture claim, including future medical needs and permanent impairment, to ensure you receive full compensation.