Bone Fracture Injuries After Car Accident
The bones of the body are not made to withstand the significant forces that can be exerted upon them in a motor vehicle collision. The skeletal system often takes the brunt force of the impact in a crash. This can easily lead to bone fractures, or broken bones. If you suffered this type of injury in a recent collision in Pennsylvania, a Pittsburgh car accident attorney can help you understand your rights.
Common Bone Fracture Injuries Caused By Car Accidents
A car accident could break one or multiple bones in virtually any part of the body. The forces exerted on a victim’s bones can be too great for them to withstand the pressure, leading to breaks ranging from small cracks to severe compound fractures.
Common types of broken bone injuries caused by car accidents include:
- Facial or skull fractures: if a victim’s head or face strikes an object within the vehicle, such as a window or the steering wheel, bones located there can suffer fractures.
- Leg fractures: an individual’s lower extremities, including the legs and pelvis, can suffer breaks if they strike components within the car or the vehicle crumples around the legs.
- Arm and wrist breaks: arm fractures are frequent in car crashes, as breaks can occur due to the force of the impact against the hands on the steering wheel.
- Clavicle (collarbone) fractures: this bone is relatively thin, so it can easily fracture in a car accident. Even the pressure of a seat belt against the chest could lead to a broken collarbone or sternum (breastbone).
- Broken ribs: pressure from the seat belt or the force of the torso hitting the steering column could crack or break one or multiple ribs. A broken rib could damage the lungs and internal organs.
- Vertebrae fractures: the bones that make up the spinal cord can suffer fractures due to blunt force trauma or pressure against the back, neck or spine in a car crash.
Broken bone injuries are commonly treated using a cast or splint to immobilize the limb while the bones heal. If pieces of broken bone have moved out of alignment, the victim may require surgery to realign them.
How Can You Tell if You Have a Broken Bone After a Car Accident?
If you get involved in a car accident in Pennsylvania, check yourself for potential injuries. Keep in mind the possibility of one or more broken bones.
Common signs and symptoms of fractures include:
- You heard the bone snap or pop during the car accident.
- You feel pain when you press on, move or put weight on the affected area.
- You have trouble moving the affected area.
- You notice swelling or bruising around the broken bone.
- You can see visible disfigurement, such as a misshapen limb.
Keep in mind that some broken bone injuries are not immediately apparent. Your adrenaline from the car crash can mask pain and other symptoms. This is why you should always see a doctor right away after a car accident.
How to Seek Financial Compensation for a Bone Fracture After a Car Accident
Broken bones can be painful, debilitating and permanently disabling, in some cases. They can also cost thousands of dollars in medical care and lost wages. Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer in Pittsburgh, PA is the most effective way to fight for the financial compensation you need for a bone fracture injury after a car accident in Pittsburgh.
To discuss the potential value of your broken bone case and legal strategies with an attorney near you, contact Dallas W. Hartman P.C., Attorneys at Law for a free consultation.