Broken Bones in Alabama Car Accidents
Our attorneys fight for full compensation for fractures
When the impact of a car accident hits your body, a broken bone is a common outcome. The wreck itself may have been over in moments, but the impact of a fracture can affect your life for a long time. You may need surgery to repair the damage and need to let your bone heal for weeks or months. You may need physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion. You may not be able to work, care for your family, or do the things you love. And depending on the nature of the injury, you may need follow-up medical care and long-term treatment.
If you broke a bone in a car wreck, you need immediate medical attention, and you need legal representation. The cost of a fracture can be quite high and if the accident wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to pay. Contact the Alabama car accident lawyers at Dean Waite & Associates, LLC for a free consultation.
Types of broken bones in car accidents
- Orbital fracture: An orbital fracture is damage to the bones that make up the eye socket, often after smashing the face on the steering wheel or dashboard. The bones in the eye socket are very strong and require a lot of force to break, so this injury often means you also have an underlying eye or brain injury.
- Broken nose: Again, car accidents often involve smashing the face on the dashboard or steering wheel, so the nose is frequently injured. Depending on the force of impact, you may have a cartilage fracture (damage to the rubbery part of the front of the nose), or a true broken nose (fracture of the bones that make up the back of the nose).
- Skull fractures: If you hit your head hard enough in a car accident, the skull can be fractured. Skull fractures are extremely dangerous because they can also cause traumatic brain injuries, especially if fragments of the skull enter the brain.
- Clavicle fracture: The clavicle, more commonly known as the collarbone, is among the most frequently broken bones in car crashes for a few reasons: it’s fairly delicate, and the seatbelt crosses it. A broken collarbone can be difficult to treat and requires a long recovery time.
- Broken arm: Car accidents can break any of the bones in the arm, including the humerus (upper arm), radius (inner part of the forearm, on the side with the thumb) and ulna (outer part of the forearm, on the side with the pinky). Since the natural reflex is to use your arms to protect your body, they often take the brunt of the impact during a crash.
- Hand and wrist fractures: Like the arms, the hands and wrists often take the impact of a wreck, especially for drivers with their hands on the steering wheel.
- Rib and sternum fractures: Like the collarbone, the ribs and the sternum (the flat bone in the front of the chest) are frequently fractured in car accidents because of the seatbelt. Fractured ribs can be especially dangerous because they can sometimes damage the lungs and other internal organs.
- Broken back and spine: Again, when the car crumples onto itself, the back and spine can be compressed and damaged. Fractured vertebrae can significantly affect your mobility and require surgery to treat.
- Hip and pelvis fractures: Fractures in the hips and pelvic region are especially common in motorcycle wrecks, but they can happen to drivers and passengers in cars as well. A fractured hip can have serious consequences for your mobility, and you may need surgery and physical therapy to be able to walk again.
- Broken leg: The lower leg bones, the tibia and the fibula, are often broken in car accidents, especially for drivers and front seat passengers because the bones can be crushed between the dashboard and seat. Fractures of the femur (upper leg), the largest and strongest bone in the body, can also occur when the car crumples into itself.
What to do if you suspect a fracture after a car accident in Alabama
There are two steps you need to take if you have any reason to believe you broke a bone in a car accident. First, get immediate medical attention. A doctor can perform X-rays and other medical tests to assess the location and extent of the broken bone. Just as importantly, a doctor can diagnose any other injuries that may accompany your fracture – if you broke a bone, it’s entirely possible you also have damage to organs, nerves, or muscles that are protected by that bone.
Second, talk to an experienced Alabama car accident attorney at our law firm. You need the right advocate on your side to fight for the full compensation you deserve for your broken arm, leg, or other fracture. That includes not only the cost of medical treatment but also future care, physical therapy, and other medical expenses. It includes your lost income while your broken bone heals, which is often a period of months. Bone pain is one of the worst kinds of pain, so your pain and suffering award may also be substantial. We will listen to what happened to you and build a case for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Remember, the sooner you take action, the better. The sooner you contact us, the more effectively we’ll be able to investigate the wreck and deal with the insurance company while you focus on your recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Alabama car accident lawyer.