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Car accidents may often leave victims injured from trauma to their bodies. The impact of a car accident could cause parts of victims’ bodies to contact various hard surfaces. The force that is brought to bear on their bodies is much stronger than the bone, causing fractures. In most broken bone injuries, the body has slammed against something such as:
- The steering wheel
- The dashboard
- Their seat belt
- The airbag
Car accidents may release a tremendous amount of force. The body has been traveling along with the car, and it comes to a complete stop in an instant. This causes the body to jerk forward with force, and it can strike something hard.
In addition, accident victims can be thrown from their car from the collision. When that happens, their body is slammed to the hard ground at a high rate of speed. They can also hit against part of the car if it flips over in the collision.
Common Fractures from a Car Accident
Here are some common bones that could break in a car accident:
- Femur
- Tibia/Fibula
- Ribs
- Hip and Pelvis
- Wrists
- Arms
- Facial and Skull Fractures
- Clavicle
- Back and Vertebrae
There are several types of fractures. They include:
- Simple – when the bone breaks, but it does not pierce the skin.
- Compound – the bone breaks through the skin. This is the more serious type of fracture, and it can require immediate surgery.
The damage from bone breaks can go beyond just the bone itself. Soft tissue and ligaments in the area can also be damaged. In addition, the surrounding muscle can atrophy because of the damage to the bone and extended inactivity as the patient recovers.
How Broken Bones Are Diagnosed
Doctors will use the following tests to diagnose a bone break:
- X-rays
- CT scans
- MRIs
- Bone scans
Once they diagnose the injury, they will have several treatment options. They can set the bone, put it in a cast until it heals on its own or perform surgery to insert pins. The latter would stabilize the bone while it heals. In the meantime, the patient could feel intense pain and would be restricted from many activities.
The Many Costs of Broken Bones
Bone breaks may impose a number of physical and financial costs on the accident victim. These include:
- Medical costs to treat the fracture (including one or more surgeries)
- Medical equipment such as casts, wheelchairs, or crutches
- Lost money if you need to take time off from work because of your injuries
- Things that you enjoy that you were unable to do because of the fracture
- Pain and suffering that you have endured while you deal with and recover from your injuries
The recovery process is not always straightforward and linear. Anyone dealing with fractures has their good days and bad days, and some can take many months to heal. Severe fractures could mean multiple surgeries as doctors try to stabilize that part of the body.
Many bone breaks after a car accident will be very apparent right off the bat. You should not delay in getting them treated. Waiting to treat broken bones could slow down the healing process, and it may even mean that it never fully heals.
Always Get Medical Help Immediately
Sometimes, accident victims will feel pain in the days and weeks after the accident. They may try to “tough it out,” or they just hope that it gets better. This could be a broken bone or a fracture. Insurance companies do not like it when accident victims do not promptly get the medical treatment that they need and follow doctors’ recommendations. They may try to not pay part of the claim because the accident victim is under an obligation to mitigate their injuries.
Broken bones are compensable like any other physical injury. The diagnosis itself is often pretty straightforward. The issue is how your life is impacted by your injuries. The insurance company may dispute the fact that you are unable to work and enjoy life. Even when the diagnosis is right there in front of them on paper, they may downplay the effect of your injuries.
This is why you need an attorney in the claims process. On your own, you may not know how much your claim is worth. In fact, the very first question that we get from most prospective clients is exactly what their claim is worth. You can be certain that the insurance company knows this – right down to the dollar. A fracture for one person may be worth a completely different amount than it is for someone else. You should have someone telling your story and exactly what your car accident injuries have done to you. At Aylor Law, this is why we come to the office every day. Fighting for our clients is every bit as much a passion as it is a job.
We have the experience necessary to properly value your claims. This will level the playing field between you and the insurance company.
Experienced Charleston Car Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one have suffered broken bones in a car accident, you should be looking to start the legal process immediately and explore whether you could receive financial compensation. Call the attorneys at David Aylor Law Officers at (843) 744-4444 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation. The best call that you can make is the one to an experienced attorney who will fight for you.
FAQ
What should I do when the insurance company makes me a settlement offer?
Your attorney should review the offer to see if it fairly compensates you, and you should reject it if the offer is unreasonably low.
Can I give a statement to the other driver’s insurance adjuster?
You are under no obligation to speak with the other insurance company nor should you.
Can I afford a car accident lawyer?
Yes. You do not need to spend any money out of pocket to hire an attorney.