If you’ve recently fractured a bone in an accident, you aren’t alone. More than six million people break a bone in the U.S. every year.
Research and statistics on broken bones indicate that:
- Men are more likely than women to break a bone
- The average person is likely to suffer two broken bone injuries over a lifetime
- Hip fractures are the most likely fracture to result in death
- Wrist fractures are the most common fracture in people under age 75
- After age 75, hip fractures are the most common type of broken bone
After reaching age 45, women actually become more likely to break a bone. That’s because women are at greater risk of suffering from osteoporosis, which weakens the bone.
Types of Broken Bone Injuries
Some of the most common types of bone fractures include:
- Displaced fractures, where the bones are broken into two or more pieces and move out of alignment
- Non-displaced fracture, where the bone breaks but remains in alignment
- Closed fracture, where the skin is not broken
- Open fracture, where the bone breaks through the skin
- Avulsion fracture, where a piece of the bone is separated from the main bone structure
- Impacted, or buckled, fracture, where the ends of the bone are driven into one another
- Compression or wedge fractures in the back vertebrae
- Greenstick fractures, which are incomplete fractures most common in children
- Linear fracture, where the break is parallel to the long axis of the bone
- Oblique fracture, where the break usually has a curved pattern
- Stress fractures or hairline cracks
- Spiral fractures, where the bone has actually twisted at the point of the break
It might be immediately obvious that you’ve broken a bone in an accident. Other types of bone fractures can be more difficult to detect. That’s why it’s always a good idea to seek medical care right away if you’ve been involved in an accident.
Signs That You’ve Broken a Bone
It can be tempting to go about your daily life as though nothing happened after an accident. However, if you’re dealing with a broken bone, that might only make matters worse in the long run.
It’s important to pay attention to the signs that you may have a broken bone, which include:
- Pain or swelling
- A popping or snapping noise at the time of injury
- Pain that gets worse if you move
- Bruising
- Reduced mobility
- Deformity
- Dizziness
- Skin that’s hot to the touch
Of course, if you have an open wound, you should seek emergency medical treatment. Any of these signs can indicate that you have a broken bone. You might require a cast, a splint, or even surgery to correct the fracture.
Common Causes of Broken Bone Injuries
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has found that the three primary causes of broken bones include:
- Trauma
- Overuse
- Osteoporosis
Some people suffer broken bone injuries because of simple clumsiness or an accident that isn’t anyone’s fault. Other broken bone injuries are caused by traumatic accidents that could’ve been prevented. Some common types of accidents that result in fractures include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Defective products
- Boat accidents
- Premises liability
- Construction accidents
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Medical malpractice
At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ll fight to recover compensation to cover the full range of treatment you might require. Call a personal injury lawyer in Clearwater to get the legal advice you deserve today.
Are Some Bones More Likely to Break Than Others?
Some bones break more often than others.
The most common broken bone injuries impact the:
- Clavicle, or collarbone
- Hip bone
- The radius or ulna bones in the arm
- Wrist
- Ankle
- Foot
- Toe
Accident victims often suffer other types of damaging injuries, including broken ribs, legs, and even spinal cord injuries to the vertebrae.
What’s the Statute of Limitations for Broken Bone Injury Cases in Florida?
You only have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit. Under the Florida statute of limitations, you have two years to sue for damages. The law used to give you four years to file. However, on March 24, 2023, the deadline was shortened – meaning personal injuries that occur after that date are subject to the two-year deadline.
Don’t wait to get started protecting your legal rights. Our lawyers are always available to take your call. Schedule your free case evaluation so that we can make sure you meet all relevant deadlines in your case.
How Can Comparative Negligence Impact My Case?
If you were partly to blame, don’t worry. You can still recover compensation from anyone else whose actions contributed to the accident as long as your share of fault isn’t more than theirs (i.e., more than 50%). This rule is called modified comparative negligence or shared responsibility.
The details can become complex. The basic idea is that your compensation award can be reduced by your share of the blame – and you’re barred from receiving compensation if your level of negligence exceeds 50%.
What Compensation Can I Expect to Receive For a Broken Bone Injury?
When the bone can’t absorb the force of the accident, it might crack or snap. Unfortunately, the recovery time for a broken bone can range from weeks to months. You might require surgery and physical therapy.
That’s why it’s important to have an experienced personal injury attorney by your side from day one. At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ll work to recover the compensation you deserve, including money for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical expenses
- Lost future earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Long-term care
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Damages for wrongful death
You’re entitled to compensation for both past and future expenses. Don’t underestimate the cost of a broken bone. You might be off your feet for weeks or months after an accident. Our broken bones injury attorneys will do everything we can to get the money you need to get by.
Talk to an Experienced Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyer Who Can Help
A broken bone is a serious injury that can make even simple daily tasks difficult. If you were hurt because someone else was negligent, a Clearwater personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we offer a free consultation so that you can learn about your legal rights without any risk. Contact our Clearwater law firm today at (727) 787-2500 to arrange a time to sit down and talk about what happened.
