Broken bones are painful injuries. Their severity depends on the type and location of the fracture. Some heal without medical intervention, while others require surgery, immobilization, and other medical treatments. If you suffered fractured bones in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, do not hesitate to contact The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs. You might be entitled to financial compensation for your injury, resulting medical bills, and other expenses.
At The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs, we understand how traumatic car accidents can be, especially when you sustain severe injuries. The cost of your medical bills can cause significant financial strain and lead to debt. We have represented injured clients in Washington since 1952. We are ready to help you hold the negligent party liable. Call The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs at (253) 588-6696 for a free consultation to learn more.
Common Types of Fractured Bones
The body can experience significant blunt force trauma during a car crash. Different types of external factors can lead to bone fractures. Medical providers diagnose broken bones by looking at the cause, the part of the body they are located in, and the fracture pattern.
Causes of Fractured Bones
The circumstances leading to a bone fracture can determine the classification of the fracture, such as:
- Buckle fracture – A buckle fracture is an incomplete broken bone. That means the fracture doesn’t go through the bone. Typically, sudden pressure causes the bone to fracture and push out of its original position.
- Stress fracture – A stress fracture refers to a tiny crack in the bone. It often results from repetitive trauma to that part of the body.
- Avulsion fracture – An avulsion fracture involves bones attached to a ligament or tendon. It occurs when a piece of one of those bones breaks away from the main part of the bone.
Body Parts Affected by Fractured Bones
A specific body part or bone indicates the location where a fracture can occur. In other cases, a certain type of fracture is classified based on the pattern of the break.
Bones in the upper body, chest, and arms include:
- Ulna and radius (the bones of the lower arm)
- Humerus (bone in the upper arm)
- Ribs
- Facial bones
- Clavicle (bone across the top of the chest)
- Scapula (shoulder blade)
- Bones of the hands
Broken bones in the lower body and legs can include:
- Patella (kneecap)
- Femur (bone of thigh)
- Fibula and tibia (lower leg bones)
- Hips
- Bones of the feet
Bone Fracture Patterns
A fracture pattern describes the direction or shape of the break. Straight-line breaks include:
- Oblique fracture – When a fracture is oblique, there is a break across the bone at an angle.
- Longitudinal fracture – This type of fracture runs along the length of the bone.
- Transverse fracture – A transverse fracture is a break running in a straight line across the bone.
Some break patterns don’t involve straight-line fractures, such as:
- Greenstick fracture – This occurs when the bone bends or cracks but doesn’t fracture completely. Greenstick fractures typically occur in children.
- Comminuted fracture – A comminuted fracture involves a break into at least three pieces with fragments present.
- Spiral fracture – A spiral fracture refers to a break in a twisting motion to the bone.
- Segmental fracture – A segmental fracture is a broken bone in at least two places with an entirely separated segment.
Treating a Fractured Bone After an Auto Accident
Multiple treatment options are available depending on the type and extent of the bone fracture. Sometimes, treatment isn’t necessary. At-home remedies might help stabilize the bone, so it heals in place. For example, healing a broken toe might require taping it to the toe next to it. You don’t need a doctor to do that for you. However, you should always consult a medical provider before treating the injury at home.
Common treatments for fractured bones include:
- Traction – With traction, a doctor can align the bone or bones by pulling gently and steadily on the affected body part.
- Cast immobilization – A plaster or fiberglass case immobilizes the broken bones, so they heal in the correct place.
- Functional cast or brace – A cast or brace limits joint movement near the bone fracture.
- External fixation – A surgeon inserts metal pins or screws into the bone above and below the fractured area. The pins or screws stabilize the bone to promote healing by connecting it to a metal bar outside the body.
- Open reduction and internal fixation – A surgeon can perform an open reduction and internal fixation to reposition bone fragments into their original alignment. Metal screws or plates secure those bones in place.
Compensation for Fractured Bones After an Auto Accident
Car insurance is mandatory in Washington. Every motor vehicle driver must carry liability coverage and proof of insurance. Liability coverage must also include minimum limits, such as:
- $25,000 for injury or death to another person
- $50,000 for injury or death to all other people
- $10,000 for another person’s property damage
You can file a liability claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to recover medical expenses and other costs related to your car accident injury. An attorney can help you negotiate a settlement that reflects your actual costs, which may exceed the coverage listed in the insurance policy. If you cannot negotiate the settlement you need, your attorney can file a lawsuit for personal injury. Types of compensation you may be able to recover at trial include:
- Mental distress
- Emergency room visits, surgeries, prescriptions, and other medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Lost earnings
- Loss of employment
- Property damage
Statute of Limitations for an Auto Accident Lawsuit
You must follow a strict timeframe to sue someone for your injury. In Washington, the statute of limitations allows a three-year timeframe to file a lawsuit. That means you have three years from the crash date to initiate your lawsuit against the negligent driver or another party.
Injured in a Car Accident? Contact The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs Today
Car wrecks are traumatic experiences. They can lead to severe injuries and long-term consequences. You deserve the chance to hold the at-fault driver accountable for the harm they caused. The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs is ready to help you in the fight for justice.
When you hire us, we will investigate the collision and create a strategy to pursue the compensation you need. If another person’s negligence caused your fractured bones in a car crash, call The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs at (253) 588-6696 for a free consultation.
