Being involved in a car accident is challenging on many levels. It is even harder when the collision wasn’t your fault and leaves you with broken or fractured bones. In addition to the pain you will feel in the immediate aftermath of the injury, you will also have to deal with the expensive costs of x-rays, medical treatments, and physical therapy.

The physical limitations created by your broken bone may make it impossible for you to work, meaning that you are unable to earn money. Add that to the emotional distress you’re forced to endure due to another party’s negligence, and life can feel incredibly overwhelming.

The St. Louis car accident attorneys of OnderLaw understand just how difficult life can be for those who have suffered broken bones in a car accident. Fortunately, the state of Missouri allows you to file a claim for damages against the responsible party, and our team of experienced personal injury lawyers is here to help you get what you deserve.

If you have recently suffered broken or fractured bones in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, call us today for a free consultation.

Causes of Broken Bones and Fractures in Car Accidents

The impact of a car crash can cause broken bones in many ways. Some of the most common forms of broken or fractured bone injuries in automobile collisions include the following:

  • Seatbelt injuries – There is no question about it: seatbelts are life savers. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), your risk of dying in a car accident is dramatically reduced if you are wearing a seatbelt. However, this does not mean that you will escape injury altogether. Sometimes, the force of a collision can cause the driver or passenger to jerk forward so quickly that the tightening seatbelt can actually fracture or break the person’s collarbone, ribs, or breastbone.
  • Airbag injuries – Airbags are another great life-saving device. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that airbags reduce fatality rates in car accidents by 11–14 percent. However, the speed at which airbags are deployed can often lead to broken noses, lost teeth, or even skull fractures.
  • Direct collision injuries – Often, the cause of broken bones in a car accident is the impact itself. These types of injuries are covered below.

Which Bones Can Break in a Car Accident?

Nearly every bone in the body is vulnerable to a fracture or break in an automobile collision. These can happen not only as a result of the sheer force of the crash but also when the body encounters external objects. In particularly dramatic crashes, the force of the collision may even fling a person’s body from the car.

The bones that are especially susceptible to breaks in car crashes are:

  • Vertebrae in the neck and spine
  • Femur (thighbone)
  • Clavicle (collarbone)
  • Sternum (breastbone)
  • Ribs
  • Pelvic bones
  • Bones of the skull
  • Ankle bones

Healing from breaks or fractures to some of these bones often requires the use of a cast. In some cases, surgery will be needed. Your treatment may also include prescription or over-the-counter medications for pain management, as well as physical therapy so that you can recover your mobility and help you return to functioning in the way you were able to before your accident. In some cases, unfortunately, full recovery may not be possible.

Common Types of Fractures and Breaks

The type of fracture you sustain will depend on the nature of the crash. Various types of fractures include:

  • Hairline – This is a partial break resulting in a small crack in the bone. Hairline fractures are often small and relatively painless at first, so they often go unnoticed. However, they can grow over time, leading to a weakened bone and increased pain.
  • Compound – In a compound fracture, the bone punctures the skin. These are serious injuries that require immediate medical treatment.
  • Simple – This type of fracture is a break in which the skin remains intact.
  • Transverse – A transverse fracture is one in which the break stretches across to form a right angle with the bone. These fractures are painful and require medical treatment, and often a cast, to heal properly.
  • Stress – Stress fractures are more common in children, whose bones have not finished forming and are therefore more pliable. These types of fractures occur on one side of the bone, while the other side bends.
  • Comminuted – This type of fracture is when a bone breaks and splinters into multiple pieces. They are generally caused by a high-impact injury. They are very difficult to repair.
  • Avulsion – Surgery is usually required for avulsion fractures, in which the bone separates from the ligaments that join it to another bone, or from the tendon that joins it to a muscle. They are painful breaks and can lead to serious complications.

Only an experienced medical professional should diagnose your fracture. They will conduct x-rays and other examinations as soon as possible after an accident.

Treatment and Compensation

The medical bills that go with the treatment of a broken or fractured bone from a car accident can be particularly overwhelming. You may need surgery, a cast, physical therapy, or ongoing at-home care.

However, if you were not responsible for the accident, you should not be financially responsible for its consequences. In addition to medical expenses, you have the right to claim compensation for:

  • Lost wages due to missed work
  • Long-term income loss if you are unable to return to work
  • The physical and psychological suffering that have resulted from your injuries

Call an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Attorney for Broken Bones

The seasoned car accident attorneys of OnderLaw understand the incredible amount of stress that can come about when you suffer from broken bone injuries in a car accident. We are here to help you recover the compensation you deserve in your St. Louis personal injury case. We are unafraid to stand up to the insurance companies, and we will fight for your best interests every step of the way.

Call us today for a free consultation, and we will help you understand what your legal options are.

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