Car accidents are one of the leading causes of broken bones in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 2.4 million people suffer personal injuries in motor vehicle collisions each year. When it comes to these injuries, other statistics indicate that car accidents account for approximately two-thirds (66%) of all fractures caused to individuals age 17 and under. Right here in Louisiana, our Houma car accident lawyer knows that we have a higher accident rate than other states, with statistics from the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU (CARTS) reporting that a car crash resulting in injuries occurs in Louisiana about once every 15 minutes. Any one of these accidents could result in broken bones in a Houma car accident resulting in significant pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical bills.
Here at the Patrick Yancey Law Firm, our experienced Houma car accident lawyer can help you and your family recover compensation for broken bones in a Houma car accident for victims throughout Terrebonne Parish and the Bayou region. Attorney Patrick Yancey understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a fracture injury can have on victims and their entire family. Contact the Patrick Yancey Law Firm today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
The force of a motor vehicle collision can break any bone in the body – especially in a trucking wreck, motorcycle crash, or when hit by a car. Some of the most common locations of fractures that our personal injury lawyers may be able to recover compensation for you include the following:
Not all fractures are the same. The way a bone breaks depends on the direction, force, and type of impact involved in the collision. More generally, broken bones and fractures are classified by their pattern and severity, not just their location (type of bone as noted above).
Some of the most common fracture types seen after car accidents include the following:
The human body is not designed to absorb the force generated in a motor vehicle crash, much less a trucking accident, motorcycle crash or being hit by a vehicle (pedestrian knockdown). Even a collision at moderate speed can produce enough energy to snap bones and tear surrounding tissue, especially for children and older adults. The type and severity of a fracture depends on several factors, including the speed of the vehicles, the angle of the collision, and whether the occupant was wearing a seatbelt.
Head-on collisions tend to cause fractures in the arms, legs, and chest because the body is thrown forward into the dashboard or steering column. Side-impact crashes, which are common at intersections throughout Houma, often lead to hip and pelvic fractures because the door panel collapses inward. Rear-end collisions can cause spinal fractures due to the sudden whipping motion of the body. Rollovers present some of the highest risks for catastrophic injuries, including compound fractures and crush injuries.
Medical professionals classify fractures as either open or closed. A closed fracture means the bone is broken but does not pierce through the skin. An open fracture, also called a compound fracture, occurs when the broken bone breaks through the skin and is exposed to the outside environment. Open fractures carry a much higher risk of infection and typically require surgery. Specifically, crush injuries are the most common cause of open fractures in the lower extremities, which can be very dangerous for infections but also causing compartment syndrome that could lead to amputation and permanent disability.
Treating a fracture from a car accident often involves more than a simple cast. The severity of the break, its location, and whether the fracture is open or closed all affect the treatment plan. Recovery times vary widely, from several weeks for a simple fracture to many months for more complex breaks.
Common treatments include the following:
Many fracture victims in Terrebonne Parish require follow-up visits to orthopedic specialists at regional medical facilities. The cost of these treatments can be significant, especially when surgery and extended physical therapy are needed. Victims should keep detailed records of all medical expenses related to their fracture injuries.
Broken bones from a car accident can change your life in an instant. The pain, the medical bills, and the time away from work can create a heavy burden on you and your family. You do not have to face this difficult situation alone.
The Patrick Yancey Law Firm offers free consultations and works on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay any legal fees unless our law firm recovers compensation for you. Attorney Patrick Yancey has the experience as a skilled car accident lawyer in Louisiana and is dedicated to protecting the right to compensation for victims and their families who have suffered broken bones in a Houma car accident.
To protect your rights to compensation in Louisiana, contact us today by calling (985) 313-9791 or by submitting a message through our contact form available on our website.
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