Compound Fractures Sustained in Automobile Crashes

As Maryland personal injury attorneys, the legal staff at Summit Injury Group knows that traffic accidents are a daily occurrence in this state. While some individuals involved in these collisions manage to escape with only minor bumps or luck on their side, being in the wrong place at the wrong time can often mean the difference between walking away with superficial scrapes and suffering serious, permanent harm.

There is no doubt that high-speed car or truck wrecks can be a matter of life or death for the drivers and passengers involved. Fortunately, most roadway collisions are not fatal, yet there is always a high probability of severe physical injury in the worst of these crashes. Among the most common injuries sustained by occupants in severe T-bone and oblique-impact collisions are bone fractures, ranging from simple breaks to complex compound fractures.

Whether a vehicle collision occurs in the Annapolis area, greater Baltimore, or over in the District of Columbia, the likelihood of being injured depends heavily on the speed of the vehicles, their type and size, as well as the road and traffic conditions at the moment of impact. An experienced Baltimore car accident lawyer at Summit Injury Group understands that even a seemingly simple injury can cost a victim significant time and money to recover. If negligence was a factor, there is no reason not to consider filing a personal injury suit against the responsible party or parties.

When it comes to traffic accidents, most bone fractures resulting from the impact are classified as traumatic in nature. Traumatic fractures are distinct from pathological ones based on how the break occurred; specifically, traumatic fractures are caused by external force, such as an auto accident, a trip-and-fall incident, or a worksite injury. In contrast, pathological fractures typically result from an underlying disease that weakens the bone, such as osteoporosis.

When a victim of a car, truck, or motorcycle wreck suffers a traumatic fracture, the team at Summit Injury Group investigates the specific circumstances of the crash to determine if negligence contributed to the victim’s injuries. A knowledgeable Baltimore auto accident attorney knows that regardless of whether a fracture is simple or compound, establishing responsibility for the collision is essential to building a strong case for personal injury compensation.

Simple and Compound Spine Fractures

From a medical perspective, bone fractures are generally categorized into two broad groups. The first, and typically the less severe of the two, is the “closed” or simple fracture. In these cases, the broken bone remains beneath the surface of the victim’s skin, with no outward protrusion through the epidermis. Conversely, “open” or compound fractures usually involve a wound that connects with the fracture site. In simple terms, a compound fracture includes a break in the skin where the bone has cut through and projects outside the victim’s body.

In cases of compound fractures, there is often a significant risk of infection due to the exposed hematoma and the bone fragments themselves. A Baltimore car accident lawyer is often necessary in these cases because the medical complications can be extensive. Doctors must consider “displacement” (the gap between bone fragments) as well as angulation. Angulation refers to the angle at which the bone is broken; if it is significantly large, surgery is almost always required to correct the break and ensure proper healing.

Some other specific types of fractures include:

• Complete: A break in which the fractured bone fragments separate completely from one another.
• Incomplete: A situation where the bone fragments remain partially joined together.
• Linear: A fracture that occurs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the affected bone.
• Transverse: A break that occurs perpendicular to the bone’s long axis.
• Oblique: A fracture that runs diagonally to the long axis of the bone.
• Spiral: A break where at least one portion of the bone has been twisted due to torque.
• Comminuted: A severe break involving multiple fracture locations within the same bone.
• Impacted: A fracture where pieces of bone fragments are driven into others or into the main bone mass.
• Avulsion: An injury where a bone fragment is physically torn away from the main mass by a ligament or tendon.

While a bone fracture is not usually a life-threatening condition on its own, the consequences of such an injury can be long-lasting and financially draining. The recovery time for compound fractures may be significant enough to cause a loss of income for individuals who rely on their physical mobility to perform their jobs. A dedicated Baltimore auto accident attorney knows that making sure one can recover the costs of medical and rehabilitation care is vital, but so is recovering any lost wages that result from an extended stay in a hospital or rehabilitation center.

Having a legal advocate on your side can make a world of difference for accident victims who do not have the unlimited resources required to weather the aftermath of a bad traffic accident. Being able to physically recover from injuries sustained in a car, truck, or motorcycle-related collision is only the beginning of the journey. A qualified Baltimore car accident lawyer, like the professionals at Summit Injury Group, can guide a victim through the complex process of a personal injury lawsuit.

Since insurance companies frequently offer settlements that are much lower than what is possible to attain by filing a formal injury claim, it is often essential to retain legal counsel. This is particularly true when high medical costs and long-term care expenses threaten to devastate the financial security of a traffic accident victim and their family.

As roadway accident lawyers, the personal injury attorneys at Summit Injury Group understand the law and how it applies to individuals seeking restitution following a serious auto wreck. We are skilled legal professionals with years of trial experience; our proficiency in personal injury and insurance law, combined with our courtroom experience, gives us the know-how to recover damages from negligent parties. Whether you need a Baltimore auto accident attorney to help recover costs for past, current, or future medical and nursing care expenses, our staff is ready to assist. If you have been injured, please contact us at (412) 387-6901 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options.