A broken bone can be incredibly painful and disruptive. Whether they are caused by car crashes, slip and fall accidents, or other types of accidents, bone fractures may require months of healing and rehabilitation, and they may lead to lost income while affecting a person’s overall health. Physical recovery from a broken bone can be difficult enough, but the financial consequences can be just as overwhelming.
When a fracture has occurred because of someone else's negligence, a personal injury attorney can help a victim understand their legal rights and take steps to obtain financial compensation. From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurers or providing representation in court, legal representation from a skilled lawyer can make an enormous difference in the outcome of a claim.
How Common Are Bone Fractures?
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Broken bones are some of the most common injuries that affect people in the United States. According to a study performed by Ohio State University, there are approximately 6.3 million people who suffer fractures every year. Men under the age of 45 are more likely to experience fractures than women, and this is because men are more likely to be involved in physically demanding work and activities. After age 45, the pattern reverses, and women become more susceptible to fractures as bone density decreases with age.
The Bones Most Likely to Break
Certain parts of the body are more likely to be injured than others. The fractures that may occur will depend on the type of accident and the forces involved.
Wrist and Arm Fractures
Arm fractures are the most common type of broken bone among adults, accounting for nearly half of all fractures. Bones in the wrists may be fractured when a person falls and they extend their arms to break the fall. Wrist fractures occur at a rate of approximately 72 per 100,000 people each year.
Collarbone (Clavicle) Fractures
The collarbone may be broken in car accidents, bicycle crashes, and other types of accidents. The clavicle runs across the top of the rib cage, and it can fracture when the chest or shoulder absorbs a sudden impact.
Rib Fractures
Broken ribs are common in motor vehicle accidents. When a crash occurs, the force of the seatbelt across a person’s chest can crack one or more ribs. Striking the steering wheel or dashboard can fracture both the ribs and the sternum (breastbone).
Leg Fractures
The femur or thigh bone can fracture in high-impact collisions. A femur fracture is a serious injury that may require surgical repair. The tibia and fibula, which form the lower leg, may also be fractured in accidents, especially if a person's feet and lower legs are struck or compressed during a crash.
Hip Fractures
Broken hips can be devastating. These injuries are more common for older adults. According to Science Daily, more than 300,000 people suffer hip fractures in the United States every year. Falls are responsible for many hip fractures.
Spinal Fractures
When the bones in the spine are broken, a person’s spinal cord may be damaged. This may lead to paralysis, and depending on the location of the fracture, a person could suffer from paraplegia or quadriplegia. In accidents, spine fractures can be caused by compression, twisting, or other forces placed on the spine.
Skull and Facial Bone Fractures
Fractures that affect the bones in the skull can occur when a person’s head strikes a hard surface during an accident. In car crashes, this can happen when a person strikes their head on a windshield, dashboard, window, or the vehicle’s frame. Bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, or pedestrian accidents can cause skull and facial fractures.
The Financial Cost of a Broken Bone
The medical bills related to bone fractures can be staggering, especially if surgery or ongoing rehabilitation will be required. Research has found that the average increase in medical costs that a person experiences in the six months after a bone fracture ranged from approximately $5,700 for simpler fractures to more than $39,000 for people who suffered multiple fractures. Those figures do not include lost wages, long-term rehabilitation costs, or the lasting impact of permanent disability.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help Victims of Broken Bones
When a fracture has been caused by someone else's negligence, an injury victim can take steps to obtain compensation through a personal injury claim. An attorney can make sure the right steps are taken during a claim, and they can assist with:
Establishing Liability
To recover compensation, an injured person will need to show that someone acted negligently and that their negligence was responsible for the injury. An attorney can gather and preserve evidence such as accident reports, photographs, witness statements, security camera footage, and medical records to build a strong foundation for the claim.
Calculating the Full Scope of Damages
Insurance companies will often try to settle claims quickly and for as little as possible. A personal injury lawyer can work to negotiate a settlement so that all current and future losses are addressed, including emergency medical treatment, surgeries, hospitalization, physical therapy, future medical care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, etc.
Meeting Legal Deadlines
The statute of limitations in personal injury cases creates a deadline for when claims must be filed. Missing that deadline may prevent a person from obtaining compensation. An attorney can make sure the required steps are taken on time while preventing any issues that could limit a person’s ability to get the compensation they deserve.
Get Legal Help with a Broken Bone
A broken bone can change a person's life. Recovery will take time, and medical costs, lost income, and other issues may need to be addressed. A personal injury lawyer can provide the legal help and representation needed so a claim will be handled correctly and the proper compensation will be paid.
