Broken Bones

Broken bones, also known as fractures, are among the most common injuries people suffer in accidents. Fractures aren’t just painful; recovery can take months and may leave you with long-term effects.

If someone else's negligence caused your broken bone, you might be entitled to compensation. Call Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC at (214) 615-6394 or contact us online to speak to a Dallas personal injury lawyer who can help you understand your legal options and fight for the money you deserve.

Overview Of Broken Bones

A broken bone happens when excessive force is applied to a bone, causing it to crack or break completely. Some fractures are minor, while others are severe and require surgery, potentially with lifelong consequences.

Studies show that about 6 million people in the United States break a bone each year.

Types Of Fractures

There are many types of fractures. Below are common examples based on how the fracture occurs or its location.

• Closed or simple fracture
• Open or compound fracture
• Comminuted
• Displaced
• Spiral
• Transverse
• Oblique
• Compression
• Greenstick
• Buckle
• Avulsion
• Hairline or stress fracture

Each type of fracture requires different treatment and recovery times. Not all fractures require a cast or surgery. Some types of breaks, like avulsion and compound fractures, need surgical treatment.

What Are The Long-Term Consequences Of A Broken Bone?

Broken bones can lead to lasting challenges, such as:

• Chronic pain, especially for complex fractures or those in weight-bearing bones.
• Reduced range of motion and strength
• Limited mobility
• Deformity caused by malunion or improper healing
• Nerve damage
• Joint damage
• Avascular necrosis, a severe complication that causes bone tissue death from poor blood supply
• Increased risk of infection, including osteomyelitis, a painful infection of the bone
• Post-traumatic arthritis, a form of osteoarthritis that develops after injury to a joint, like a fracture

Complex fractures are more likely to have complications like infection. Fractures near joints are more likely to cause long-term issues.

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Fractures?

Broken bones are usually sustained in trauma of some kind, but they can also be caused by repetitive stress and bone disease. Below are the most common causes of bone bones in Dallas.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents and other motor vehicle accidents are common causes of fractures. These fractures can be caused by the force transferred from a seatbelt, airbag deployment, direct impact, crushing injuries, and ejection.

Common fractures in a crash include:

• Clavicle (collarbone).
• Sternum (breastbone)
• Radius and ulna (forearm)
• Vertebrae (spine)
• Ribs
• Tibia and fibula (lower leg
• Femur (thigh)
• Wrist
• Pelvis
• Facial fractures

Seat belts and airbags reduce the risk of death and serious injury, but they can also cause fractures and other injuries. Airbag deployment and force transferred by a seat belt are most likely to fracture the clavicle, sternum, and ribs.

Pedestrians hurt in a crash are likely to suffer cervical spine (neck) fractures, pelvic fractures, and rib fractures.

Falls

Falls are a leading cause of broken bones, especially among older adults.

Slip and fall accidents often result in fractures of the:

• Wrist
• Arm
• Hip
• Ankle
• Patella (kneecap)

About 90% of hip fractures happen in people 50 and older, and most are caused by a fall from standing height. In 2019, 83% of fatal hip fractures and 88% of hip fracture hospitalizations and ER visits were the result of falls.

Sports Injuries

Contact sports or overuse can also lead to broken bones. Stress fractures are a common risk for athletes. These fractures cause small cracks due to repetitive stress. They usually occur in weight-bearing bones such as the foot bones, tibia, fibula, and femur.

Sports with repetitive impact, like jumping in tennis, gymnastics, basketball, and running, are most likely to cause stress fractures.

Workplace Accidents

Fractures are common injuries in workplace accidents. They usually happen in accidents involving:

• Falls
• Caught in or between objects
• Being struck by objects
• Vehicle collisions
• Heavy machinery accidents

Construction, transportation, manufacturing, warehousing, and agricultural jobs have an increased risk of work-related fractures.

A study of workers’ compensation claims in West Virginia found work-related fractures may be more common than previously believed. They found an annual incidence of 55 fractures per 10,000 workers but 116 to 202 fractures per 10,000 in industries like construction and agriculture.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, which means “porous bone,” is a common medical condition that causes reduced bone mass and increased fragility. This condition significantly increases the risk of a fracture. Women are far more likely to develop osteoporosis as the drop in estrogen after menopause causes rapid loss of bone density.

Osteoporosis is the leading cause of fractures in adults over 50. About 1.5 million people suffer a broken bone every year caused by bone disease. The hip, vertebrae, forearm, and wrist are most susceptible to fractures in older adults. Vertebral compression fractures are the most common fracture due to osteoporosis.

Over the course of their life, 50% of women and 20% of men over 50 will suffer a fracture due to bone disease. These fractures usually happen in a fall, but older adults are more susceptible to fractures in traffic accidents, too.

What Damages Can I Recover For A Fractured Bone In Dallas, Texas?

Victims of broken bone injuries can pursue compensation for two types of damages.

Economic damages are reimbursement for financial losses, including projected future expenses.

These include:

• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity if you are left with long-term disability
• Out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., transportation to medical appointments)
• Property damage

Non-economic damages compensate you for losses that have no economic value. You can seek money for the physical pain and suffering and emotional and mental anguish you have suffered. These damages also compensate for your loss of enjoyment of life and permanent scarring.

How Long Do I Have To File A Personal Injury Lawsuit For A Fracture In Texas?

In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the injury. If you don’t file your lawsuit within this time, you could lose your right to seek compensation. However, exceptions may apply, such as if the injured party is a minor.

Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers For A Free Consultation

If you have suffered a broken bone in an accident, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC is ready to help. We understand the challenges fracture victims face and are dedicated to securing the compensation you deserve.

Contact our law office today for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer. We will discuss your case and explore your legal options. Let us help you on the road to recovery.