Understanding Bone Fractures Sustained in Auto Accidents

One of the most common injuries to arise out of a car accident is a broken bone. The shock of the crash might hurt your back; your elbow might crash through the window; or fingers in your hand might break on the dashboard when trying to brace for the impact. Of course, accidents happen but what happens after that is much more important. After years of representing victims of car accidents with broken bones, we compiled this information in response to your likely questions following an incident such as what kind and amount of recovery is possible.

Many people break their bones in a variety of circumstances-sports, work, entertainment, accidents, etc. However, knowing the kind of bone break you suffered in a car accident is important to gauge its severity. Here is a list of the most common kinds of bone fractures:

• Open/Compound: With this bone fracture, the bone actually pierces the skin. The skin rupture is critically important because this exposes the affected area to infections.
• Closed/Simple: Closed bone fractures involve a break in the bone but no skin rupture.
• Non-displaced: In a non-displaced fracture, the bone does not completely break and maintains proper alignment to facilitate efficient healing.
• Displaced: Displaced fractures occur when the bone breaks in a fashion where it is not properly aligned following the incident. It also might be broken into several pieces (known as a comminuted fracture).
• Avulsion: Avulsion fractures occur when a small piece of a bone tears off from the rest of the segment.
• Stress: Stress fractures are small, hairlines breaks in the bones and regularly occur in the foot or leg.
• Greenstick: This break most often occurs with undeveloped bones, and generally arises when it bends and breaks.
• Pathologic: Pathologic fractures happen when an underlying disease weakens and then subsequently causes it to break.
• Buckled: Buckle fractures occur when two bones smash into each other and cause displacement. This is often found in young children with developing bodies.
• Oblique: Oblique fractures have an angled pattern and occur after a sharp pressure has been applied across the bone.
• Transverse: Transverse fractures run perpendicularly to the bone and usually result from one traumatic shock or long-term stress.

Here are some resources to help you understand what recovery might be possible if you have a broken bone following a car accident:

• National Broken Bone Awards and Settlements
• Illinois Broken Bone Awards and Settlements
• Broken Bone Case Worth
• Car Accident Broken Bone Statistics
• Fracture Injury FAQ's