Broken Bone Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents
Due to the extreme forces involved in motor vehicle collisions, broken bones are a common consequence of car accidents. These injuries can range from painful and temporarily debilitating fractures of the femur, collar bone, and pelvis to life-altering skull fractures and crushed spinal vertebrae. Situations involving broken bones sustained in auto accidents often require immediate surgical intervention for multiple fractures and crush injuries, as well as additional reconstructive surgery.
Broken bone injuries can be extremely severe, requiring extensive treatment and substantial recovery time. This situation can lead to mounting medical bills that are quickly compounded by loss of income.
Types of Fractures
Motor vehicle accidents can cause any of these types of fracture injuries, singly or in combination:
- Hairline Fractures: Also referred to as stress fractures, these are small cracks in the bone. When this type of fracture occurs in a car accident it may initially go unnoticed.
- Buckle Fractures: Also known as an incomplete or torus fracture—this is when the bone ruptures, or buckles, but does not break entirely. Children are particularly susceptible to this type of injury because their bones are softer than those of an adult.
- Greenstick Fracture: Very similar to a buckle fracture, this type of break is more common in children with softer bones. This is when one part of the bone breaks, but the other side of it bends.
- Avulsion Fracture: This type of fracture occurs when a ligament or tendon that attaches to the bone is torn away from the bone, bringing a piece of the bone with it; in some cases, surgery may be required.
- Transverse Fracture: This is a break that runs directly across the bone, at a right angle to its long axis. This is usually caused by a direct, sharp blow to the bone that snaps it into two pieces.
- Oblique Fracture: This is a very uncommon situation when a fracture occurs diagonal to the long axis of the bone. This usually happens when one bone gets trapped and another bone twists over it. An oblique fracture can be caused by the violent force of a car accident.
- Compound Fracture: When a broken bone breaks through the skin, it is referred to as a compound fracture. This type of break carries with it a significant risk of infection and complications.
- Comminuted Fracture: This is considered a multi-fragmentary fracture where the bone is broken into at least three pieces. Crush injuries such as this are common in serious car accidents, and can be very difficult to treat.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a serious car accident, the most important call you can make is to an experienced Chicago auto accident lawyer.
Contact Shea Law Group For Free Case Review
There are literally hundreds of motor vehicle accident attorneys in the Chicagoland area. However, your financial future may rest on selecting the right one. At Shea Law Group you will find knowledgeable legal experts with the experience necessary to ensure a positive outcome for you and your family.
Give us a call at (877)-365-0040 and let one of our dedicated Chicago auto accident lawyers provide a free case review. We have handled thousands of accident cases that involve serious injuries, including all types of fractures, and we understand what you are going through. Let us help you win the settlement you deserve, while you begin to get you life back on track.
