Fractures sustained in car crashes are typically painful. They create functional limitations that affect a person’s ability to work or handle daily needs. They usually require emergency medical intervention, followed by physical therapy after the bone heals.
Many people who break bones in motor vehicle collisions eventually make a full recovery. However, not everyone heals quickly and cleanly. The three scenarios below are all examples of when fractures can be far more serious and costly than the average broken bones.
1. When a child gets hurt
Children who have not yet finished growing have medical concerns after sustaining fractures. In cases where the break damages the growth plate, they may be at risk of uneven development and malformations in the future. Certain types of fractures in children require special care to ensure their optimal recovery.
2. When the bone breaks into many pieces
A comminuted fracture is painful and debilitating. Medical professionals cannot just set the bone. They typically need to operate. When the bone breaks into many small pieces, recovery often takes longer, and the treatment required is more expensive.
3. When the bone pierces the skin
An open or compound fracture creates many serious medical complications. Blood loss, the trauma caused by the bone tearing through tissue and infection risk are all serious concerns. People are at risk of nerve damage and generally need more invasive care than those with a simple fracture.
In cases where broken bones generate massive medical expenses, insurance may not be sufficient to cover those costs. Working with an attorney to estimate car crash injury expenses and review different options for compensation can help those affected by particularly severe fractures.