Car accidents, unfortunately, can lead to various injuries. Broken bones are among the most common and debilitating. These injuries can range from minor fractures to severe breaks that require extensive treatment, including surgery and rehabilitation. If you’ve suffered broken bones or fractures in a car accident, it’s crucial to understand the nature of these injuries, the treatment options available, and the potential long-term impact they can have on your life.
Most Common Bones Broken in Car Accidents
The forces involved in a car accident can impact various parts of the body, leading to fractures in different bones. Some of the most common bones broken in car accidents include:
- Clavicle (collarbone) – The clavicle is a slender bone connecting the shoulder blade to the breastbone. It’s often fractured in accidents due to direct impact or the force of the seatbelt.
- Ribs – Rib fractures are common in car accidents, especially side-impact collisions. They can cause significant pain and breathing difficulties.
- Femur (thighbone) – The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the body. Femur fractures often occur in high-impact collisions and can be quite severe, sometimes requiring surgery and a lengthy recovery period.
- Tibia and fibula (lower leg bones) – A fracture to these bones often occurs following head-on collisions or when the impact of the crash pins legs against the dashboard or other objects in the vehicle.
- Pelvis – Pelvic fractures can occur in severe accidents and may involve multiple breaks in the pelvic bones. These injuries can be complex and require extensive treatment.
Understanding the Type of Fracture
The severity and complexity of a broken bone depend on the fracture type. Here are some common types:
- Simple fracture – The bone is broken, but the skin is not pierced.
- Compound fracture – The broken bone protrudes through the skin, increasing the risk of infection.
- Comminuted fracture – A shattered bone breaks into multiple pieces.
- Greenstick fracture – A partially broken bone, similar to how a green twig breaks. This type is more common in children.
Treatment and Recovery for Broken Bones
Treating broken bones typically involves immobilizing the affected area to allow the bone to heal correctly. This process may involve:
- Casting, in which doctors use a plaster or fiberglass cast to hold the bone in place.
- Splinting, where doctors opt for a splint to support or restrict the bone’s movement while still allowing room for some swelling.
- Surgery may be necessary in cases of severe fractures. If so, doctors use surgical procedures to realign the bone fragments and stabilize them with pins, screws, or plates. Surgical procedures following a broken bone are most commonly seen in femur fractures or hip fractures.
Recovery from broken bones can take weeks to months, depending on injury severity and individual factors. Physical and occupational therapy is often an essential part of the recovery process. Doctors typically order these types of rehabilitation therapies to help restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Average Settlement for Broken Bone in Car Accident
The average settlement for a broken bone in a car accident can vary significantly depending on several factors, including:
- The severity of the fracture: When fractures or broken bones are particularly intense, such as those requiring surgery, they typically cause higher settlements.
- The type of bone fractured: Fractures in major bones like the femur or pelvis can be more dangerous or have longer-lasting impacts on victims. In these cases, there tend to be higher settlement values than fractures in smaller bones.
- The extent of medical treatment: The cost of medical treatment, including surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and medication, plays a significant role in settlement calculations.
- Lost wages: If the injury prevents you from working, you can claim compensation for lost wages. These compensations may also extend to future income if an injury permanently impacts your ability to find work or provide for yourself going forward.
- Pain and suffering: Though they may sound somewhat subjective, pain and suffering are real for victims of car accidents. Pain and suffering include compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Get Help from a Seasoned Car Accident Lawyer
It’s essential to consult with an experienced Kalispell car accident attorney to understand the potential value of your claim. Your lawyer can work to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company or take your case to trial if no settlement can be reached.
If you’ve suffered broken bones or other injuries in a car accident, reach out to our legal team at Travis, Moore & Brann PLLP by calling (406) 752-7550 or contacting us online. We have extensive experience representing car accident victims and can help you through the legal process, protect your rights, and seek the compensation you need.
