Dealing with Broken Bones and Fractures After a Car Accident

Dealing with broken bones and fractures after a car accident is both physically and emotionally challenging. The pain, the lengthy recovery process, and the disruption to your daily life can feel overwhelming. You might wonder how to get the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.

The good news is that hiring a lawyer can make a significant difference in your car accident claim. At [firm-name], we understand the difficulties you’re facing and are here to support you. Our experienced South Dakota car accident lawyers can guide you through the process of filing a claim, gather evidence, and advocate on your behalf to help you receive fair compensation. Below, you’ll find essential information on bone injuries from car accidents, the compensation you can recover, and how we can help you with your claim.

Common Broken Bone Injuries from Car Accidents

Broken bone injuries are common in car accidents due to the force and impact of a severe collision. Some examples of broken bone injuries from car accidents include:

• Fractured Ribs: The impact of a car accident can cause your chest to hit the steering wheel or dashboard, leading to fractured ribs. These injuries are painful and can make breathing difficult. Furthermore, broken ribs often require significant rest and medical care to heal properly.
• Broken Legs: Car crashes can cause your legs to get trapped or slammed against parts of the vehicle, leading to broken bones like the femur, tibia, or fibula. These injuries often require surgery and extensive rehabilitation for you to regain full function.
• Arm and Wrist Fractures: In a collision, you might instinctively brace yourself with your arms, leading to broken bones in the arm or wrist, such as the radius, ulna, or humerus. These fractures can limit your ability to perform daily activities and may require casts, surgery, or physical therapy to heal.
• Facial Fractures: The force of a crash can cause your face to hit the steering wheel, dashboard, or airbag, resulting in broken bones in the nose, cheekbones, or jaw. Facial fractures often require surgical intervention and can lead to long-term complications.
• Hip Fractures: Older adults are particularly susceptible to hip fractures in car accidents. The impact of a collision can break the pelvic bone or the upper part of the femur, often necessitating surgery and a lengthy recovery period to restore mobility.
• Clavicle (Collarbone) Fractures: The collarbone easily fractures in car accidents due to the force of the seatbelt or direct impact. These fractures can be painful and limit arm movement, typically requiring immobilization and sometimes surgery.

Long-Term Complications from Broken Bone Injuries

Broken bones not only cause immediate pain, but they can also lead to long-term health problems that affect your quality of life. Understanding these potential complications is essential for recognizing the full impact of your injuries and seeking appropriate compensation. The potential long-term complications of broken bone injuries can include:

• Chronic Pain: Even after a bone has healed, you might experience persistent pain at the fracture site. This can be due to nerve damage, scar tissue, or improper healing.
• Arthritis: Broken bones, especially those involving joints, can increase the risk of developing arthritis. The damaged joint surfaces can lead to inflammation, pain, and reduced mobility over time.
• Nerve Damage: Fractures can sometimes cause or be associated with nerve damage, leading to numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected area. This can impact your ability to use the injured limb effectively.
• Impaired Mobility: Severe fractures, particularly in weight-bearing bones like the legs or hips, can result in long-term mobility issues. Depending on the injury, a bone fracture might require you to use mobility aids or limit your ability to perform certain activities.
• Bone Infections: If a fracture is severe and involves an open wound, there is a risk of infection. An infection can complicate the healing process and require long-term medical treatment.
• Deformities: Improperly healed bones can lead to deformities or misalignment, affecting your appearance and function. This may necessitate further medical intervention or surgery.

Potential Compensation for Broken Bone Injuries

Because of the severe short-term and long-term effects of broken bone injuries, it’s critical to seek maximum compensation for your losses in a car accident claim. With help from an experienced and capable attorney, you can seek compensation for:

• Your past and future medical expenses
• Your lost income while you heal
• Your reduced future earnings if your injuries impact your ability to work
• Your pain and suffering
• Your emotional distress (anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.)
• Your diminished quality of life
• Your damaged personal property

Deadline to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in South Dakota

In most cases, South Dakota law allows an injured person three years from the date of a car accident to file a lawsuit against the liable party. If you miss this deadline, you will most likely lose your chance to recover compensation for your injuries.

While you have three years from the date of a crash to file a lawsuit, we recommend you speak to an attorney about your case as soon as possible. Critical evidence can deteriorate or disappear within days or weeks of a collision, and an attorney can preserve this evidence before anything happens to it. Furthermore, talking to a lawyer immediately after a collision can help you recover the money you need more quickly, reducing your stress during your recovery.

How We Can Help You Seek Compensation for Broken Bone Injuries

[firm-name] understands the stress, pain, and strong emotions that come with sustaining a broken bone injury in a collision. Your priority is to focus on healing, and we can handle all the legal work in your case. We’ll investigate the crash, document your injuries, file an insurance claim, and negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement. If the other side won’t offer a fair deal, we’re fully prepared to take your case to trial and defend your rights in court.

Let [firm-name] take on the legal burden after a collision for you while you rest and heal. Call [phone-number linked=true] now or complete our online contact form for a free case review.