Broken bones are one of the most common injuries in Austin car accidents, causing substantial pain and temporary or permanent disability.
The crash force of an accident puts tremendous pressure on the body’s structural support system, made up of the bones in the limbs, hips, ribs, pelvis, clavicle, and spine. According to crash force calculations, a collision at only 45 miles per hour transforms a 140-pound person into a 6,300-pound force propelled forward at the speed the car was traveling before the collision and then snapped back against the seat. At the same time, the car’s structure collapses inward at the collision point, causing blunt force trauma.
Shaw Cowart is home to some of the top-rated car accident lawyers in Austin, committed to advocating for victims injured in crashes. They work tirelessly to investigate claims, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurers, ensuring clients receive the compensation they need for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
What Types of Car Accidents Cause Broken Bones?
Austin residents live busy lives, leading to congested roadways and aggressive driving on high-speed highways. About 24 car crashes happen in Austin each day, including the following types of accidents:
- T-bone accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipes
- Collisions with obstacles
- Rollover accidents
- Cars vs. commercial truck accidents
- Roadway departures
When a car accident occurs, the force of the accident can cause single or multiple fractures in motorists of all ages.
Types of Broken Bones in Austin Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of fractures, along with falls and contact sports injuries. The types of broken bones in car accidents include the following:
- A simple fracture happens when a motorist’s bone snaps in one clean break without piercing the skin
- A compound fracture occurs when the sharp ends of a fractured bone pierce through the surface of the skin
- A comminuted fracture is one in which the bone breaks in at least three places or shatters
- In a segmental fracture, the bone breaks in two places with a portion of the “floating” or unattached between the other two pieces
- A compression fracture happens when pressure forces bones together under pressure, and the bones crush where they collide—typically in the vertebrae
- Greenstick fractures occur when a bone bends and splits; common in children in car accidents due to their more flexible bones
- A bow fracture happens when bones bend into a bow shape but don’t snap; it is also typical in children due to their flexible bones
- A spiral fracture occurs when part of the bone twists under pressure and breaks
- According to the NLM, in a longitudinal fracture a bone breaks along its length instead of horizontally
Broken bones take months to heal, even in young, healthy individuals. Broken hips in the elderly can cause a decline in quality of life and shortened life expectancy.
Recovering Damages For Bone Fractures After an Austin Car Accident
When a motorist suffers serious injuries like broken bones in a car accident, the damages add up quickly. Medical bills come in at the same time that the broken bones may prevent a return to work, especially for those who work in physical labor positions. Fortunately, a successful Austin personal injury claim recovers compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the fractures cause permanent disability, an injury victim could recover additional compensation for diminished future earning capacity and loss of enjoyment of life.
How Can an Austin Car Accident Attorney Help?
Suffering the effects of broken bones is painful and debilitating. Call the car accident lawyers at Shaw Cowart LLP today so we can begin strategizing your compensation during a free case consultation. Then, if we represent you in your claim, you pay us nothing until after we settle your case or win a jury award for damages in court.