Broken or fractured bones are some of the most common injuries in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident. The force of a crash can put intense stress on the body, often causing serious or even life-threatening injuries. As a Louisiana car accident lawyer, many people call our office wanting to know the average settlement for a broken bone in a wreck.
There’s no fixed dollar amount. What your case is worth depends on the seriousness of the break, your medical bills, time away from work, long-term effects, and the pain you’ve been through.
If another’s negligence caused your crash, you may recover immediate medical costs, future treatment, lost income, out‑of‑pocket expenses, and non‑economic damages like pain.
What Causes Bones to Break or Fracture During an Automobile Accident?
The combination of sudden deceleration and forward propulsion of the body is capable of causing extensive damage during an accident especially if the body is thrown into contact with other objects and debris.
Speed is a major factor and contributes to the severity of the injuries that people suffer in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident.
Though bruising, muscle soreness or pain, and soft tissue injuries often occur during an automobile accident, broken bones and fractures are particularly common after a wreck.
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FREE Confidential Case Review (985) 240-9773What is the Difference Between a Fracture and a Break?
A fracture is any loss of continuity of the bone. It could be a tiny, hairline crack or a complete shattering of the bone.
People often think a “break” is worse than a “fracture,” but doctors use the terms the same way.
However, it is not as common to not refer to a hairline crack as a break.
All fractures are classified as either simple or compound.
What is the difference between a simple fracture and a compound fracture?
A simple fracture occurs beneath the skin and does not result in any lacerations or protrusion of the bone from the flesh. Contrary to the name though, some “simple” fractures, like a pilon fracture, can still be major injuries.
A compound fracture is when the bone exits the body at some point during the injury.
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FREE Confidential Case Review (985) 240-97735 Most Common Bone Injuries Caused by a Car, Truck, or Motorcycle Accident
1. Lower Extremity Fractures
The most commonly reported broken bones in auto accidents are lower extremity fractures.
Common lower extremity fractures include:
- Upper and Lower Leg Fractures
- Hip Fractures
- Pelvis Fractures
- Patella (Knee) Fractures
- Ankle Fractures
These types of fractures can be painful and take a long time to heal. They often make it hard to walk, drive, or work—especially if surgery or rehab is needed.
2. Upper Extremity Fractures
The second most commonly reported fractures are upper extremity fractures.
These injuries are often caused by the airbag deploying or when the arm hits a hard surface in the vehicle.
Similar to lower extremity fractures, treatment will depend on the location and severity of the injury. Surgery may be needed, or a cast may be required to be worn for an extended period of time.
Fractures of the upper extremities can take weeks or months to heal.
Depending on the location of the injury, long-term loss of functional use is not uncommon.
Some common upper extremity fractures are:
- Broken Arm
- Wrist Fractures
- Hand Fractures
- Broken Elbow
- Shoulder Fractures
- Broken Clavicle (Collarbone)
3. Facial And Jaw Fractures
The bones in the face are more delicate and can be easily broken in a motor vehicle accident.
Facial and jaw fractures commonly occur when the airbag deploys or when the face comes into contact with the dashboard, steering wheel, window, or the back of a seat.
These injuries may require fixation (e.g., wiring the jaw shut) or reconstructive surgery. Additional specialists such as an ear, nose, and throat specialist, an ophthalmologist, a plastic surgeon, or a neurosurgeon, may be necessary.
Recuperation depends on the location and severity of the fracture.
Some common facial fractures include:
- Broken Jaw
- Broken Nose Bridge
- Fractured Cheekbone(s)
- Fractured Orbital Socket(s)
4. Skull Fractures
Skull fractures are serious injuries that can be life-threatening.
Impacts with a dashboard, steering wheel, side window, or windshield can cause severe damage. (Hence why wearing a seatbelt is so important.)
Skull fractures require immediate medical treatment to prevent further tissue damage and life-saving surgery may be necessary to stop swelling or bleeding in the brain.
Fractures of the skull can result in traumatic brain injury (TBI), seizures, stroke, paralysis, or death.
This type of injury can also result in long-term or permanent medical impairments and personality changes that can be short-term, long-term, or permanent.
5. Spinal Fractures
Fractures to the spine occur when there is sudden deceleration and the spine is propelled forward.
Immediate medical care is necessary for spinal fractures.
Treatment of spinal fractures depends on the location and severity of the injury.
Even a very small fracture, bone chip, or bone spur can press on a nerve or deform a disc, causing excruciating pain.
If the damage to the spine is severe enough, fractures may cause temporary or permanent paralysis or death.
Fractures in the neck are also a result of spinal trauma and are common auto accident injuries that can result in paralysis or death. Recovery can vary by the severity and location of the injury, the age and health of the patient, and how well the patient responds to treatment.
Healing time can take several weeks to several months and physical therapy may be needed. Permanent damage or paralysis is not uncommon.
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FREE Confidential Case Review (985) 240-9773What Other Types of Fractures Can Happen in a Car Accident?
In addition to the common fractures listed above, certain types of named fractures are also seen after serious car, truck, or motorcycle crashes. These include:
- Pilon Fracture: A break at the bottom of the tibia near the ankle. These are often caused by high-energy impacts and may require surgery.
- Comminuted Fracture: The bone shatters into three or more pieces. This type of fracture can happen in many parts of the body and often leads to long recoveries.
- Compression Fracture: Often seen in the spine, this occurs when the bone is crushed. These are common in rollovers or when the body is violently compressed.
- Transverse Fracture: A straight horizontal break across the bone, typically from a direct blow during impact.
- Oblique Fracture: A diagonal break, which can happen from a twisting injury during the crash.
- Greenstick Fracture: Common in children, this is a partial fracture where the bone bends but doesn’t break all the way through.
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FREE Confidential Case Review (985) 240-9773How Much Is My Broken Bone or Compound Fracture Worth?
If you have been injured in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident and have suffered a fracture or broken bone, you know how expensive and painful the recovery process can be.
You may be experiencing long-term medical treatment that can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Especially if your break requires surgery and/or physical therapy.
Even when a broken bone doesn’t require extensive surgical procedures, it can still limit a person’s ability to work or do the things they used to enjoy until the fracture is fully healed.
Being out of work for weeks or months at a time is bad enough. In some cases, a broken bone never fully heals, and patients must contend with a long-term disability and a lifetime of pain.
You’re probably wondering what a fair settlement looks like or what your broken bone case might be worth.
Because each accident is different – different types of vehicles involved, different circumstances that led to the crash, different injuries, etc. – there is no set number for determining the amount of damages you will receive.
If your accident was caused by another person’s negligence, you are entitled to recover damages for the cost of your immediate medical treatment, any surgical procedures, long-term care, lost wages, out of pocket expenses, and pain and suffering.
One important factor that can affect how much money you receive is the amount of insurance the at-fault driver has. In Louisiana, drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage, but many only carry the bare minimum. If your injuries cost more than the other driver’s insurance will cover, it may limit what you can recover, unless there are other options like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or multiple parties involved. This is why it’s important to speak with someone who can look closely at every possible source of compensation, including coverage you may not know about.
How Can a Local Personal Injury Help Me With My Broken Bone Injury?
You may not be the type to hire a lawyer, but keep in mind, the insurance company isn’t on your side. They may lowball you with their offer and ask you to settle right away before you’ve even had a chance to get properly diagnosed. It’s smart to talk with a Louisiana personal injury lawyer about your legal rights and options for recovering financial compensation.
An injury lawyer can help you analyze the details of your case and come up with an amount that you may be able to receive from a jury verdict. Only after you know this number, should an accident victim or their attorney begin negotiating for a fair settlement.
Keep in mind that the accident wasn’t your fault. If you’ve suffered a broken bone, there’s no shame in wanting your medical bills paid and your property replaced.
An experienced accident attorney will work with your doctors to get a full understanding of your injury and limitations.
During this difficult time you need someone who will listen, someone whose only interest is your best interest.
Injured and Unsure What to Do Next? Let Us Help You Move Forward
If you broke a bone in a car, truck, or motorcycle wreck, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Medical bills, time off work, and pain can quickly add up. The team at LJBLegal understands what you’re going through and will fight to get you the full recovery you deserve. We take the time to listen, explain your options, and build a strong case that puts your needs first.
Call us today or contact us online for a free, no-pressure consultation. Let’s talk about what happened and how we can help. You focus on healing. We’ll handle the rest.
