Suffering a broken bone in a car accident is more than just painful–it can leave you with long recovery times, lost income, and steep medical expenses. From hairline fractures to severe compound fractures, these injuries often require immediate and ongoing medical treatment that can quickly become overwhelming for any accident victim.
At Zara Injury Law, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial impact of broken bone injuries. Our experienced personal injury attorneys represent clients who have suffered broken bones due to someone else’s negligence and fight to ensure they receive full and fair compensation. Whether your bone break was caused by a rear-end collision, rollover, or another type of accident, we can help you navigate your legal options and deal with the insurance company–so you don’t have to do it alone.
Contact us today for a free consultation in Fayetteville, NC and speak with a trusted personal injury lawyer about your rights and next steps.
Common Types of Bone Fractures From Car Accidents
Not all broken bones are the same–and the type of fracture you suffer in a car accident can greatly affect your recovery time, need for medical treatment, and the value of your personal injury claim. At Zara Injury Law, we’ve worked with many accident victims who experienced everything from minor breaks to complex and life-altering bone fractures.
Here are the most common types of fractures seen in car accident cases.
Simple (Closed) Fracture
The bone breaks but does not puncture the skin. These may still require casting, immobilization, and weeks of recovery, often with limited mobility and missed work.
Compound (Open) Fracture
This serious injury occurs when the broken bone pierces through the skin. Compound fractures have a higher risk of infection and typically require surgical intervention and extended rehabilitation.
Comminuted Fracture
A comminuted fracture means the bone has shattered into three or more pieces. These injuries are often caused by high-impact trauma and can result in long-term disability, requiring extensive medical treatment and physical therapy.
Hairline or Stress Fracture
While less severe than others, these small cracks in the bone can still cause significant pain and limit movement. Often missed at first, they still warrant prompt care and can affect your ability to work or perform daily activities.
Displaced vs. Non-Displaced Fractures
A displaced fracture means the bone fragments have shifted out of alignment and may require surgery. Non-displaced fractures remain aligned and may heal with immobilization alone.
No matter what type of fracture you’ve suffered, it’s important to take your injury seriously–especially if it affects your ability to earn a living, care for your family, or enjoy your usual quality of life.
How Car Accidents Cause Broken Bone Injuries
Broken bone injuries are incredibly common in car accidents, and they can happen in nearly every type of crash–from low-speed fender benders to high-impact rollovers. The human body simply isn’t built to withstand the violent forces of a collision. Whether you’re struck from the side, rear-ended, or hit head-on, your bones can fracture under the immense pressure and force of impact.
Common Scenarios That Lead to Bone Breaks in Car Accidents
- Seatbelt and airbag force: While life-saving, seatbelts and airbags can cause fractures to the ribs, collarbone, sternum, and facial bones when deployed forcefully during a crash.
- Collision with vehicle interior: Arms, legs, hips, or ankles may be crushed against doors, dashboards, or footwells, often leading to bone fractures in the extremities or pelvis.
- Ejection from the vehicle: In extreme crashes, victims who are thrown from the vehicle often suffer broken bones in multiple areas due to the secondary impact with the ground or other objects.
- Crushing injuries: Rollovers or T-bone crashes can trap limbs inside the vehicle, resulting in comminuted fractures or serious orthopedic trauma.
- Multiple-impact trauma: In pileups or multi-car collisions, the body may be jolted or compressed in several directions, increasing the likelihood of fractures in the spine, legs, and arms.
While slips and falls are another common cause of broken bones, crash-related fractures are often far more severe–and more legally complex. The type of accident, combined with the location and severity of the fracture, can influence how much your personal injury claim is worth.
The Cost of Medical Treatment for Bone Fractures
Suffering a broken bone in a car accident often leads to more than just physical pain–it comes with a heavy financial burden. From emergency response to months of rehabilitation, the medical treatment required for bone fractures can quickly escalate into thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. For many accident victims, these expenses come at a time when they’re unable to work or care for themselves.
Medical expenses can include:
- Emergency room care: Ambulance transport, trauma evaluations, X-rays, and initial stabilization are often the first–and costly–steps in treating a bone break.
- Surgery and hospitalization: More serious injuries like compound fractures or comminuted fractures often require surgical procedures, hardware installation (plates, rods, screws), and extended hospital stays.
- Casting, bracing, and immobilization devices: These are essential for proper healing and may need to be worn for weeks or months.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation: Recovery doesn’t end when the cast comes off. Ongoing treatment is often needed to rebuild strength, improve mobility, and restore function.
- Follow-up appointments and imaging: Regular visits for progress checks and imaging (such as MRIs or CT scans) can add significantly to your total medical bills.
There are also hidden and long-term costs to consider, such as:
- Medications and pain management: Prescription painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and other medications are commonly required during recovery.
- Home modifications or mobility aids: Crutches, wheelchairs, or home changes may be needed if your injury impacts your ability to walk or care for yourself.
Even with health insurance, medical expenses can pile up–especially if you also face lost wages and a long-term reduction in earning capacity. And the insurance company responsible for covering your injuries may try to minimize or deny your claim.
Compensation You Can Recover After Suffering a Broken Bone
A broken bone injury from a car accident can create serious, long-term hardships. Beyond the immediate pain, these injuries often lead to extensive medical treatment, time away from work, and emotional suffering. At Zara Injury Law, we help accident victims pursue full and fair compensation to ease these burdens and support long-term recovery.
If you’ve suffered broken bones due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for a variety of damages. This includes the cost of your medical expenses, such as emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, medications, and follow-up visits. Lost income from missed work can also be recovered, along with projected future earnings if your injury affects your long-term ability to earn a living.
Many clients also receive damages for pain and suffering, which accounts for the physical discomfort, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life that often follow a serious bone fracture.
In more severe cases—such as a comminuted fracture or compound fracture—compensation may also include payments for permanent disability, disfigurement, or the inability to return to normal activities.
Additional recovery may cover out-of-pocket costs, like travel to appointments, mobility aids, and home modifications needed to accommodate your injuries. If your injury has limited your ability to enjoy hobbies, care for your family, or simply live independently, that loss of enjoyment can also be factored into your total claim.
Get the Compensation You Deserve for a Broken Bone Injury in Fayetteville, North Carolina
Suffering a broken bone in a car accident can turn your life upside down. From the physical pain and long recovery to the financial stress of medical expenses and time away from work, the impact is often far greater than expected. At Zara Injury Law, we understand how serious broken bone injuries can be—and we’re here to help you fight for the full compensation you’re owed.
Our experienced personal injury attorneys will handle every aspect of your case—from investigating the crash to negotiating with the insurance company—so you can focus on healing. Whether you’re dealing with a compound fracture, a comminuted fracture, or any other type of bone injury, we’ll pursue the justice and recovery you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Broken Bone Injuries From Car Accidents
Can I File a Claim If I Suffered a Broken Bone in a Car Accident?
Yes. If your bone injury was caused by another driver’s negligence, you have the right to pursue a personal injury claim. Whether your bone break is a minor fracture or a serious compound fracture, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What If I Had a Pre-Existing Condition or Prior Fracture?
Even if you had a prior bone condition, you may still have a valid claim if the car accident aggravated or worsened your injury. Our attorneys can work with your doctors to show how the crash directly impacted your condition.
How Long Do I Have to File a Broken Bone Injury Claim?
In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. It’s important to start early so your law firm has time to gather medical records, accident reports, and other evidence before deadlines expire.
What If the Insurance Company Offers Me a Settlement?
You should never accept a settlement without first consulting a personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies often undervalue broken bone injuries, especially if you’re still recovering or may need future medical treatment. A lawyer can assess the full value of your claim and negotiate for fair compensation.
What Types of Fractures Are Most Serious in Car Accidents?
Fractures vary in severity, but comminuted fractures (where the bone shatters) and compound fractures (where the bone pierces the skin) are often the most severe. These typically involve surgery, lengthy recovery, and the highest medical bills.
