The impact of a fall or traffic collision can create enough stress to break any bone in the body. Auto accidents are one of the most common causes of bone breaks. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics estimates that there are more than six million motor vehicle accidents every year in the U.S.
Fractures (broken bones) caused by collisions are typically categorized as impact injuries. Broken bones can also be penetrating injuries when a loose object strikes the victim hard enough to penetrate the skin and fracture the bone.
In all cases, a broken bone is a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention. Depending on the severity and location of the fracture, it could cause a great deal of pain or leave the victim immobile.
However, some fractures may not be immediately apparent. Less severe injuries can be overlooked in the chaos and confusion of an accident. For this reason, it’s always best to seek medical care after a slip and fall accident, vehicle crash, or any other type of accident.
Common Bone Fractures
There are 206 bones in the human body. They come in all shapes and sizes, from the immense femur to a tiny bone known as the stapes, which is located in the ear. Any bone can be broken with the application of enough force, but fractures most commonly occur in the ribs and the extremities, as these bones tend to be smaller and less dense.
Arm and Wrist Fractures
Putting your hands out in front of you to block a blow or catch yourself during a fall is an instinctual reflex, even if the object coming toward you is a 5,000-pound car. Wrist and arm fractures may occur when your hands take the brunt of a fall or you brace them against the dashboard or steering wheel before impact in a crash.
Leg Fractures
Among the many bones in the leg, three stand out. The femur is located in the thigh and is the strongest bone in the body. The lower leg (shin) contains two bones, the tibia and fibula, which run parallel to one another.
During car accidents, bone fractures of the leg are more likely to happen to the driver or front seat passenger if their legs are crushed between the seat and the dashboard. Bracing yourself for impact can put extra stress on the femur when the collision occurs. Sports injuries and falls can also lead to leg fractures.
Hip Fractures
Hip fractures often result from falls at home, at skilled nursing facilities, and in public places. They’re also common in car accidents. Broken hips can be repaired, but this often requires complex surgery and an extended recovery period to regain mobility.
Pelvis Fractures
A pelvis fracture typically requires extensive physical therapy and bed rest. Those recovering from pelvic fractures may need to use mobility supports, such as crutches, for several weeks or months.
What Are the Symptoms of a Broken Bone?
Small injuries like hairline fractures may not produce any symptoms right away. On the opposite extreme, the worst breaks — known as compound fractures — are immediately apparent. Compound fractures involve a broken bone tearing through the skin. They’re extremely painful and cannot be missed.
Signs that you may have a broken bone include:
- Pain when you place weight on or try to move the impacted area
- Hearing a cracking or snapping sound during the injury
- Tenderness, bruising, or swelling near the injured area
- Broken skin or an unusual appearance, such as an odd bump
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms after a fall, collision, or any type of impact, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Diagnosing and Treating Broken Bones
Diagnosing a broken bone begins with an evaluation from a healthcare professional. A doctor will ask you about your symptoms and thoroughly inspect the area. MRI scans or X-rays will likely be ordered to determine whether a fracture has occurred.
Treatment depends on the type, severity, and location of the break — treating a hairline fracture in a finger bone is much less involved than treating a compound femur fracture.
Some broken bones require a cast to hold the bone in place while it heals. Other areas, including the ribs, clavicle, and pelvis, can’t be placed in casts. Patients with these types of fractures will have no choice but to remain immobile and wait for the break to heal.
Severe fractures often require surgical intervention, which may include the use of devices like screws and metal plates to hold the bone together and help it heal correctly. Most broken bones take about six weeks to heal. However, complex fractures can take longer.
What Happens If a Broken Bone Isn’t Treated?
You may think a broken bone can heal on its own if the damage is minor, but ignoring a fracture can lead to severe issues. For instance, an untreated fracture can damage nearby nerves and blood vessels, giving rise to long-term problems like chronic pain, weakness, and numbness.
Less severe injuries may heal without medical assistance, but they might do so incorrectly. The term “non-union” refers to a bone that fails to mend, while “malunion” refers to bones that heal with improper alignment. Both conditions can cause lifelong pain and mobility issues. Surgery may be needed to restore full function.
Compartment syndrome is a condition in which pressure builds within the soft tissues that surround a fracture. This pressure can interfere with blood flow and harm nerves and muscles. Compartment syndrome is considered an emergency that requires immediate treatment. Irreversible damage, including the loss of limb function, could occur without intervention.
Chronic pain, arthritis, and deformity are also possible outcomes of untreated fractures. These conditions can come with a slew of complications and may affect the victim’s quality of life.
Can I Get Compensated For the Costs of Medical Care For a Broken Bone?
If your injury came about due to another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Some of the damages you might recover include:
- Immediate and future medical expenses, including physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Medical equipment, including ramps or other necessary modifications to the home
- Pain and suffering
Keeping all scheduled medical appointments and following up with your recommended medical care will help create a detailed medical record if you decide to file a compensation claim later on.
Contact Our Experienced Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers For Help If You Suffered a Broken Bone in an Accident
Recovering from a broken bone can be a long and painful ordeal. It can also be financially devastating. Contact a lawyer from Rob King & Associates, Trial Lawyers today at (317) 9160-000 to get help if you or someone you love has suffered a bone fracture due to someone else’s carelessness
