Fairfax, VA Broken Bone Injury Attorney

Dedicated Broken Bone Injury Attorneys Advocating for Accident Victims in Fairfax, Virginia

Bone fractures can occur in many situations, including car accidents, truck crashes, and other cases where a person's negligence put someone else at risk. While some fractures may be able to heal while wearing a cast, others can be severe, requiring surgery and months of rehabilitation. In the most serious cases, a broken bone can result in permanent limitations on a person's life, affecting their strength, range of motion, and ability to use different parts of their body. These injuries may affect a person's ability to work and other parts of their daily life for years to come.

When a broken bone has occurred in an accident that was caused by negligence, the lawyer at Shevlin Smith, P.C. can help an injury victim take steps to obtain compensation for the damages they have suffered. He will take steps to understand the full impact of an injury and make sure a victim's rights will be protected during their case. He can provide honest answers about the options that are available, and he will work to meet the needs of an injury victim and make sure they will be able to move forward after suffering serious harm.

How Bones May Be Broken in Accidents

Bones may fracture when they are subjected to extreme force. In a motor vehicle collision or another situation where a person experiences an impact to their body, broken bones may occur.

In a car or truck accident, a person may brace their arms against a steering wheel or dashboard, leading to fractures in the wrists or arms. A person's legs may be crushed against the frame of a vehicle, leading to fractures of the bones in the thighs, lower legs, or ankles. The force of a seatbelt against a person's body can cause rib fractures. Airbags may cause fractures to facial bones in some situations. Hip fractures can also occur in collisions.

In motorcycle accidents, broken bones are even more likely to occur, since a rider who is thrown from a motorcycle will absorb the impact when they land on the road or collide with another vehicle. Leg fractures, pelvic fractures, collarbone fractures, and arm fractures are common in motorcycle crashes.

Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles are also at a high risk for serious fractures. The front of a vehicle may strike a pedestrian on the legs or upper body and cause fractures. Additional fractures can occur after a person falls to the ground, including skull fractures, hip fractures, or spine fractures.

Types of Fractures

The ways a bone is broken can affect how an injury may be treated, how long recovery will take, and the long-term consequences that a person may experience. Broken bones may include:

Simple Fractures

When a bone breaks but does not pierce the surrounding skin, it is known as a simple fracture. While these injuries may be less serious than other types of fractures, they can still be serious, especially when they affect a person's ability to walk or use their arms, when they involve joint injuries, or when surgery is needed to repair the damage.

Compound Fractures

When a broken bone punctures the skin, a person will be at risk of contracting an infection, and they may experience other health issues that may prolong their recovery. Compound fractures will usually require surgery, and they may also cause damage to soft tissues around the site of the fracture.

Comminuted Fractures

In some cases, a bone may shatter into three or more fragments. These fractures can be difficult to repair. Surgical reconstruction may be needed, and metal plates, screws, rods, or other hardware may be required to hold bones in place while they heal. Recovery in these cases can be lengthy, and a person may experience limits on their mobility.

How Broken Bones Can Affect a Person's Life

A fracture can lead to a great deal of physical pain, and it may have ongoing effects on a person's overall health and quality of life. Depending on which bone is broken and how it heals, a fracture can disrupt nearly every area of a person's daily life.

In many cases, broken bones will prevent a person from working for an extended period of time. A person who performs physical labor may be unable to return to work for months while they are healing and receiving rehabilitation. In other types of jobs, people may find that pain, the side effects of medications, or the limitations caused by a cast or reduced mobility will make it impossible to work during their recovery.

A person may experience permanent limitations that will affect their strength or range of motion after suffering fractures involving joints, fractures that are slow to heal, or fractures that result in arthritis or similar conditions. Damage to cartilage or other soft tissues in a fracture can lead to chronic pain and stiffness that may continue long after an injury has healed.

The need for assistive devices such as crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs during a person's recovery can limit their independence and their ability to handle everyday tasks. For people who live alone or provide care for children or other family members, this loss of independence can affect their daily lives in many ways.

The psychological effects of a serious fracture can also be significant. A long and painful recovery can lead to emotional trauma, especially if a person is uncertain about the limitations they may face in the future. Anxiety about the outcome of treatment, frustration with physical limitations, and depression or social isolation may affect a person during and after their recovery.

Contact Our Fairfax Broken Bone Injury Lawyer

When you have suffered a broken bone in an accident, the lawyer at Shevlin Smith, P.C. can provide you with legal help and representation to ensure that you can obtain financial compensation. He will calculate the value of your claim, accounting for your current and future needs and the losses you have suffered. He will fight to protect your rights and make sure you will be able to move forward with your life. Contact our Fairfax, VA bone fracture injury attorney at 703-591-0067 to schedule your free consultation.