Fracture Injuries in Virginia Accident Cases | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

One of the most common types of injuries an accident victim can suffer is a fracture. Fractures are especially common in car, motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents. Depending on the extent of the accident, the victim may suffer more than one fracture. No matter how many they have, however, most victims would agree that fractures cause a lot of pain and create a significant impact on a person’s ability to work and take care of their daily activities. When the accident that caused the broken bones was caused by another party’s negligence, the victim can pursue for damages for the losses they have suffered.

Types of Fractures

There are many different types and categories of bone fractures, but some of the most common that our Virginia accident attorneys see in the cases we handle include the following:

  • Stable fracture: When the pieces of the broken bone line up correctly, without being out of place, the victim may only need a cast or brace to keep the bones in the correct position while they heal.
  • Displaced fracture: When the pieces of the broken bone do not line up correctly, the bone will have to be set in place by a doctor so that they align up correctly.
  • Compression fracture: When the bones are flattened or crushed from the weight or force of the object that the bones had an impact with. The most common bones that suffer compression fractures are in the spine. These fractures are especially painful and cause loss of mobility. Treatment almost always requires surgery and physical therapy.
  • Spiral fracture: When the bones of the arms or legs are twisted violently, the fracture is in a corkscrew pattern, spiraling around the bone. If the spiral fracture is a displaced one, the victim will likely need surgery to repair the bone.
  • Compound fracture: When the broken ends of the bone protrude through the victim’s skin, often causing damage to muscles and nerves. There is also an increased risk of infection.
  • Comminuted and segmental fractures: When a bone breaks into many pieces, resulting in multiple bone fragments. Treatment usually involves surgery, with screws, pins, and rods used to secure the pieces of bone in place while they heal.

The location of the fracture and the type of fracture determine just how much of an impact the injury will have on the victim’s life. While some fractures may only be a minor inconvenience while they heal, such as a stable fracture, other fracture injuries can cause the victim incredible physical and financial hardship if they are unable to work while they recover. Some fractures may even leave the victim with long-term or permanent damages, such as arthritis or if muscles or nerves were damaged by the fractured bone.

Contact a Virginia Accident Attorney for Help

If you have suffered a fracture in a car or other type of accident, contact a Virginia personal injury attorney from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to find out how we can help you recover the financial compensation you deserve. Our firm has been advocating for victims and their families for almost four decades and will work diligently to get you the best possible outcome based on the circumstances of your case.

It is important for victims to remember that any civil case filed against the at-fault driver is separate from any criminal charges that the driver may be facing. Call our office today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

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