Legal Questions About Bone Fractures
- What is the settlement value of bone fractures? Or what is my broken bone injury worth?
- What is the statute of limitations for a broken bone injury claim?
- What bones are frequently broken in a car accident?
- What types of fractures are suffered by a car accident victim?
- What are common complications from a broken bone?
- Why are Davis Law Group attorneys the best choice for my injury case?
Common Broken Bone Injuries
- Back Fracture (Fractured Vertebra and/or Damaged Discs). Commonly caused by head-on and rear-impact collisions.
- Broken Arm / Arm Fractures. Caused by a person bracing themselves for a collision or impact.
- Clavicle or Collar Bone Fractures. The clavicle is one of the most fragile bones in the body.
- Facial/Skull Fracture. Caused by airbag deployment; face striking the windshield; impact with the steering wheel, objects moving within the vehicle, etc.
- Femur Fracture (Broken Leg). Caused by a high-impact motor vehicle or motorcycle collision.
- Hip Fracture. Caused by side-impact collisions, seatbelt restraint and/or exerting pressure on the brake pedal during a serious accident.
- Pelvis Fracture. Caused by side-impact car accidents; motorcycle accidents, etc.
- Rib Fractures. Caused by the airbag deploying or seatbelt.
- Tibia/Fibula Fracture (Broken Leg). Caused by the leg area of the vehicle crumpling during the accident.
- Wrist Fractures. Commonly caused by gripping the steering wheel during an accident.
Types of Fractures
- Avulsion Fracture. An avulsion fracture occurs when a small chunk of bone attached to a tendon or ligament gets pulled away from the main part of the bone. This may require surgery to correct.
- Comminuted Fracture. A comminuted fracture is a break or splinter of the bone into more than two fragments.
- Complete Fracture. A complete fracture is exactly what the name implies, in that the bone breaks into two or more pieces.
- Compound Fracture. A broken bone in which a part of the bone sticks out through the skin This type of fracture typically requires surgery to correct..
- Greenstick or Buckle Fracture. Incomplete fractures of long bones and are usually seen in young children, more commonly less than 10 years of age. They are commonly mid-diaphyseal, affecting the forearm and lower leg.
- Hairline Fracture aka Stress Fracture. A small crack in the bone. You may not initially notice this type of fracture.
- Oblique Fracture. An oblique fracture is a relatively common fracture in which the bone breaks diagonally. Oblique fractures can vary in severity, depending on what bone is affected and how large the break is. Oblique fractures tend to occur on longer bones like the femur or tibia.
- Simple Fracture. A fracture of the bone only, without damage to the surrounding tissues or breaking of the skin.
- Transverse Fracture. A fracture of a bone is the same as a break in the bone. A fracture of a transverse process is a break of a part of one of the bones in the spine.
Complications of Bone Fractures
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition most often affecting one of the limbs (arms, legs, hands, or feet), usually after an injury or trauma to that limb.
- Nonunion. Nonunion is a serious complication of a fracture and may occur when the fracture moves too much, has a poor blood supply or gets infected.
- Osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is an infection in a bone. Infections can reach a bone by traveling through the bloodstream or spreading from nearby tissue.
- Osteoarthritis. Sometimes called degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic condition of the joints.
Settlement Value of Broken Bone Injuries
You are probably wondering what amount of financial compensation is fair for an accident victim that has suffered a broken bone or multiple fractures.
The specific dollar amount will depend on the unique facts of your case, but there are a few common factors to consider when attempting to determine the value of a claim involving a broken bone. Considerations include:
- Medical Expenses. Emergency medical costs (ambulance, airlift, ER), x-rays, MRIs, surgical bills, hospital bills, and other medical fees incurred as a result of an accident.
- Ongoing Medical Costs. Doctor visits, rehabilitation facility expenses, laboratory fees, physical therapy, pharmaceuticals/prescription drugs, medical devices, in-home nursing care, cognitive rehabilitation, mental health counseling, speech therapy, occupational therapy/retraining.
- Lost Income. Lost wages, lost vacation/PTO, lost opportunities, and potential future income.
- Pain and Suffering. Emotional injuries, fear, insomnia, grief, etc. due to an accident.
- Lost Quality of Life. Loss of the enjoyment of life due to permanent personal injury or other factors.
- Loss of Consortium. Claim for damages suffered by the spouse or family member of a person who has been injured or killed.
Award-Winning Attorneys For Victims With Broken Bones
Davis Law Group, P.S. founder Chris Davis is one of the most respected and recognized civil litigation lawyers practicing in Washington State. Davis Law Group has been named Best Injury Law Firm in Washington State by AI Dispute Resolution Awards.
Davis Law Group has been distinguished as the Best Traffic Accident Firm in Washington State by the Legal Elite Awards, hosted by Corporate America Magazine.
If you or a loved one has been suffered a broken bone in an accident in Washington State contact car accident attorney Chris Davis and the team at Davis Law Group at 206-727-4000 to schedule your free legal consultation.