Broken bones and fractures are common injuries that happen as a result of a variety of incidents. From slips and falls to motor vehicle accidents, these injuries can vary drastically in terms of their impacts.
Some bone fractures will heal within a few weeks, while others may take much longer, even leaving injured victims suffering from chronic pain. If you suffered these injuries in a car accident that someone else caused, a seasoned Washington car accident attorney can help. We provide comprehensive legal support for victims who have needlessly been injured as a result of another person’s negligence. Contact us today to discuss your case with one of our fracture injury lawyers in Washington.
Understanding Fractures and Their Impact
While broken bones are a common injury, they may not always be simple to treat. The severity of a bone fracture depends on where it occurred and if there are any additional complications.
Some car accident victims may only break a finger that will be set in a splint and expected to heal within several weeks. Others may not be so lucky if a truck crashes into their car, crushing their pelvic bone, which will require multiple invasive surgeries. Bone fragments may also cause damage to surrounding organs, leading to internal bleeding, a serious issue that will require life-saving treatments.
Rib fractures from the impact of the airbag may be a simple hairline fracture, or they could puncture the lungs. Additionally, regardless of where a fracture is located on the body, the severity of it could mean that the surrounding nerves suffer damage, which may even become permanent.
In short, the impact of a fracture could be minimal, or it could completely change the course of your life by causing you lifelong pain. If someone else has caused your fracture injuries, contact a bone fracture lawyer in Washington State to discuss your case.
Common Types of Fractures in Washington
The way that bones break can vary tremendously as well. One person may break their arm and experience a simple fracture that is easy to treat, while another person may break the same arm in multiple places. The more complicated the fracture, the more treatment and recovery time will be needed.
In complex cases, fractures will result in nerve damage as well, leaving victims with a permanent reminder of their car accident injury. Fractures are usually classified as follows:
- Simple fracture: Involves a clean break and little separation of bone.
- Compound fracture: The bone completely breaks, leaving separated bone fragments.
- Displaced fracture: A bone that has broken into two or more parts.
- Non-displaced fracture: When a bone breaks while maintaining correct alignment.
- Open fracture: The broken bone punctures through the skin.
- Closed fracture: A broken bone that does not pierce through the skin.
- Comminuted fracture: When bone fragments into several pieces from a variety of impact points.
- Impacted fracture: When the ends of the bone drive into one another, often referred to as a buckle fracture.
- Greenstick fracture: The fracture is incomplete, making the bone look like it is bent.
Steps to Take Following a Fracture Injury in Washington
Most bone fractures will be obvious because they will cause pain, swelling, and may limit your mobility. You may notice that one or more of your appendages look deformed, misshapen, or that the bone is poking out of your skin.
After a car accident, you’re likely shaken up, but you must follow these steps to protect your legal rights following a bone fracture:
Call 911
When another vehicle crashes into yours, and you or your passengers are hurt, you should not hesitate to call 911. It is often advised to call the police regardless of the injuries or damages because the police report they create can help your case. If the responding officer notes that the other driver was drunk, speeding, or behaving in another negligent or reckless way, they will be more likely to be held liable for your injuries.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
You may not realize you have a fracture, but you might feel like something is not right. If you try to move but can’t, make sure you tell the operator on 911 that you are hurt. They will send paramedics to the scene, and you’ll be transported to the hospital for treatment.
Sometimes, it might not be obvious that you’re hurt, and you may think you’re just sore and bruised. It is always best to put your health first and get a full medical evaluation. A broken bone that isn’t treated promptly may have issues healing correctly. It can also pose significant danger to your vital organs or cause permanent nerve damage. Going to the hospital immediately will create medical records that will establish your injuries as having occurred in the car accident, making it difficult for the insurance company to dispute.
Contact a Washington Fracture Injury Attorney
At Jacobs and Jacobs Injury Law Group, our fracture injury lawyers in Washington often advise victims that they should take photos and videos and gather any available evidence. However, when you have a fracture or other serious injury, you may not be capable of taking these actions. Your health and well-being should be your top priorities, even though leaving behind valuable evidence may make it harder to recover compensation.
For these reasons, you should contact a Washington fracture injury attorney from our law firm immediately after treating your injuries. We prioritize your needs and customize our strategy, working to quickly capture the evidence needed from traffic cameras while hiring expert witnesses to testify in your case. You’ll be able to focus on healing while we take over every aspect of your case with a goal to see justice served and the compensation you deserve awarded in full.
How Jacobs and Jacobs Assist Accident Victims with Fracture Injuries in Washington
The legal process involved in injury claims with fractures can become complicated, especially when your fracture is not a simple one. Washington State abides by an at-fault model for car insurance, which means the driver determined to have caused the crash will be held responsible for the damages.
The rule of pure comparative negligence will also be considered, which provides the potential for victims to be blamed. Insurance companies tend to exploit this rule, and while you can still seek compensation even if you are deemed 99% at fault, your settlement will be drastically reduced.
Many accident victims with fractures attempt to handle their injury claims on their own and run into major roadblocks. Insurers often offer the lowest settlement possible, hoping that you’ll take it out of desperation. Our fracture injury lawyers in WA recommend that you never accept a settlement check from an insurance company without having an attorney review it first. Most of the time, these offers do not include the full value of your claim, leaving you paying for the rest out of pocket.
Other times, insurance companies deny the claim outright. No matter what happens, when you engage our legal services, we take over every aspect of the case with comprehensive and client-focused representation. We investigate to find out how the accident happened while gathering all of the evidence, from the police report and your medical records to footage from traffic cameras and expert reconstructions of the collision, to present a strong case strategy.
We calculate your economic and non-economic damages and negotiate for what is fair, and we are ready to head to trial to continue the fight for what is right. Our knowledge of local and state laws and familiarity with the local courts have helped us to establish a solid reputation of excellence over the years. With a combined experience of over 100 years, we know what it takes to come out on top for our clients.
If you have been hurt in a crash caused by someone else, leading you to suffer fracture injuries, contact a car accident attorney from our law firm today to discuss your case.
Recoverable Damages in Fracture Cases
The compensation you could receive in your fracture injury case will depend on the complexity and any complications. You may have damage to the surrounding nerves or vital organs, which can result in costly medical expenses.
Additionally, your bone regrowth may be deformed or cause you to endure chronic pain. When you have complications like these, you may need more time off work, resulting in lost income, not to mention the pain that will likely affect your quality of life.
When you contact a Washington fracture injury attorney from Jacobs and Jacobs Injury Law Group, we will assess the full extent of your damages and seek all of them in your claim. Our fracture injury lawyers in WA will examine all the factors of your case and work to get you the money you deserve. Schedule a free case review today at (253) 845-0577 to learn more about how we can help you get a fair settlement for your fracture injury.