Fractures or broken bones are somewhat common car crash injuries. The force of a collision can easily cause fractures even in the strongest bones in the human body. Thankfully, modern medical care makes the treatment of fractures a straightforward process in most cases.
Imaging tests can pinpoint the location of the fracture, and medical professionals can set the bone, immobilize the body part and even provide physical therapy after the bone heals. Most people with fractures can expect to make a full recovery if they receive appropriate treatment. Unfortunately, some fractures following collisions are worse than others. They can cause tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses and could affect the injured person’s earning potential.
When does a fracture shift from being a treatable injury to a catastrophic one?
When the fracture is severe
A stable fracture where the bone remains aligned after a break in one location is easy to treat and likely to heal cleanly. However, the immense force generated in a collision can cause some of the most severe fractures possible.
Comminuted fractures, where the bone breaks into many pieces, are common in crashes. Spiral or torsion fractures are a type of comminuted fracture. Frequently, when the bone breaks into many pieces, the injured person has to undergo surgery. They may experience a permanent change in their functional capabilities due to the extent of the damage they sustain.
Comminuted fractures can have much longer recovery times than simple fractures. Even with physical therapy, severe fractures can impact an individual’s use of the injured body part for years to come. Blue-collar professionals, in particular, might struggle to continue earning optimal wages after a comminuted fracture.
Open fractures are also more serious than stable fractures. If the bone moves out of alignment, it can cause major tissue damage before piercing the skin. Blood loss and increased infection risk are both concerns in cases involving open or compound fractures. These severe fractures could cause direct nerve damage or scarring that affects their range of motion and use of the affected body part.
If people don’t make a full recovery, they may require ongoing medical support and may experience a reduction in their earning potential. Their losses may be multiple times higher than the costs associated with a simple fracture.
Understanding why fractures can sometimes be more expensive than people may initially anticipate can be beneficial for those who break bones in motor vehicle collisions. Instead of settling immediately, people may need to wait to see how well they recover to ensure that they can recoup their full medical expenses and lost wages.