Fractured Bones in NYC Crashes
For those hurt in car accidents, one of the most common types of injury is a fracture. A fracture is just another way of saying “broken bone.” There are 206 bones in an adult body and these bones are found everywhere, from the face to the ears to the throat to the hands to the legs to the toes. A car accident can break one or more of these bones, necessitating expensive medical treatment and causing severe pain.
There are a lot of different ways that various bones can fracture, each of which has a different impact on a victim’s health and potentially on long-term abilities.
Some of the bones that are often broken in car accidents include:
- Pelvis
- Bones in the sternum
- Ribs
- Bones in the skull and face
- Ankle
- Femur
- Collarbone
- Bones in the neck
- Spinal vertebrae (backbone).
Some of the common types of fractures that result from car accidents include:
- Transverse fractures — A transverse fracture normally occurs as a result of a direct hit to a bone that snaps it into two pieces. The break runs at a right angle across the bone, perpendicular to the bone’s long axis.
- Oblique fractures — An oblique fracture happens when the bone breaks along the diagonal of its long axis. While not very common, a car accident could cause one bone to become trapped and force another bone to twist over it. This could result in an oblique fracture.
- Compound fractures — If the broken bone actually protrudes through the skin, pushed out by force, this is referred to as a compound fracture. Infection and other complications are very likely when a compound fracture is suffered.
- Avulsion fractures — When a bone separates from its ligament or tendon (soft tissue used to connect the bone to other bone or to joints and muscles), this is called an avulsion fracture. To repair an avulsion fracture, surgery may be necessary.
- Comminuted fracture — If a bone is broken into three or more pieces as a result of serious impact or acute pressure, the break is referred to as a comminuted fracture. This type of fracture is widely viewed as one of the most difficult fractures to treat.
- Hairline fractures — A hairline fracture is not a complete break in the bone, but is instead a small crack. Because hairline fractures are small, they often go unnoticed — even by the people who are suffering from this type of fracture. When unnoticed and untreated, hairline fractures can become worse and can significantly weaken the bone.
- Torus/incomplete fracture — Also referred to as a “buckle fracture,” this type of injury occurs when there is a rupture in a bone or when the bone starts to buckle, but no bones actually break. Children involved in auto accidents are especially likely to suffer a buckle fracture because their bones have not yet fully developed and are softer.
- Stress fractures — These are very similar in many ways to buckle fractures and are also more common in kids. They occur when one side of the bone bends and the other side of the bone fractures.
Compensation for Broken Bones in Car Accidents
Casts, surgery, physical therapy and pain medication are all routine treatments for those who suffer any type of fracture in a car accident.
In many cases, the full extent of damages is not known immediately after a car crash. For example, you may believe that a fracture will heal, but when your cast is off or surgery completed, it may turn out that the bones did not fuse properly and that you will experience ongoing discomfort or impairment as a result. If this is the case, then you could be entitled to more in compensation for your ongoing injury than if you had made a full recovery.
This is why you should never settle until you have a clear picture of the outcome of your treatment. You should also have an attorney look over any settlement agreement before you sign away your rights.
At David Resnick & Associates, P.C., our experienced New York City accident attorneys have represented clients with many different types of broken bones and bone fractures. We understand the importance of being fully and fairly compensated for all your losses after you’ve suffered a fracture, and we will fight for your right to obtain as much compensation as you deserve under the law.
The NYC personal injury attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, P.C., have a track record of getting results for their clients. Call our firm today at 212-279-2000 or use our online contact form for a free evaluation of your case.