Broken Bones in an Oklahoma City Car Accident
Suffering one or more broken bones in a car accident is one of the most common results of a serious crash. Car accidents are a common cause of hip and pelvic fractures as well as fractures of the limbs, ribs, clavicle, and spinal vertebrae. Not only are broken bones painful and frightening, but they are also expensive to treat, require lengthy recovery periods, and may result in permanent effects, including long-term pain, stiffness, and mobility problems.
If you or a loved one suffered broken bones in a car accident, contact our Oklahoma City car accident lawyers from Dan Davis Law today to schedule a free consultation.
Understanding the Impact on Bones In a Car Accident
Car accidents place the body at tremendous risk of injuries from the dangerous combination of crash force and blunt force trauma. Broken bones are one of the most common outcomes. According to crash force calculations, a 130-pound person becomes a 7,150-pound force in a collision at 55 miles per hour. This force first propels them forward and then snaps them back against the seat. Crash force overextends bodily structures, including the protective bones in the spinal column. At the same time, the vehicle’s structure collapses forcefully inward at the collision points of the crash, causing blunt-force trauma to bones in various parts of the body.
What Types of Broken Bones are Caused by Car Accidents In Oklahoma City?
When a car accident victim has suspected bone fracture injuries, medical providers assess the injury through palpation, X-rays, and other imaging tests. The following common types of fractures occur in Oklahoma City car accidents:
- Simple fractures, or a bone that snaps in a clean break without piercing the skin
- Compound fractures, or breaks that cause the fractured bone to pierce through the skin
- Comminuted fractures, or a bone that breaks in three or more places, or shatters
- Segmental fractures, or a bone that breaks in two places, leaving the middle section of the bone separated from the other pieces
- Compression fractures, or bones that crush together from pressure and shatter, particularly in the spinal column
- Greenstick fractures in children, or a bone that bends and splinters due to greater elasticity in young bones
- A spiral fracture, or a bone that twists during the break
- Longitudinal fractures, or a bone broken along its length instead of horizontally
Many car accident victims suffer multiple fractures rather than single fractures, making the recovery period more challenging.
What Compensation Is Available For Broken Bones In Oklahoma City Car Accident Claims?
Fractures require skilled medical treatment for the injury victim to recover and maintain the bone’s usefulness. Some bone fractures can cause permanent damage to the surrounding nerves and soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Injuries that shatter spinal vertebrae can cause spinal cord injuries with permanent paralysis.
When another driver causes a car accident, they are liable for the injured victim’s damages, including broken bones. Common damages recovered include the following:
- Past and future medical expenses, including for assistive equipment and any required rehabilitation therapy
- Past and future income loss
- Diminished future earning capacity if the broken bones caused a disability
- Compensation for pain and suffering
If a car accident victim suffers severe, debilitating fractures, our Oklahoma City personal injury attorneys can help recover additional compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life.
Contact Dan Davis Law for Your Broken Bone Injury After an Oklahoma City Car Accident
Broken bones compromise your ability to work and carry out your usual daily activities. Some fractures have permanent adverse consequences. Call our dedicated car accident lawyers in Oklahoma City at (405) 930-4210 so we can demand the full financial compensation you deserve.