How do Atlanta car crashes cause broken bones?
During a Georgia car crash, the force of impact is transferred to everything in the car and this includes your
body. Your bones are meant to deal with your everyday movement; they are not designed to withstand forces of 3000 pounds or more. When bones experience these types of forces, they break.
In fact, car accidents are one of the leading causes bone fractures is motor vehicle accidents.
What are the types of bone fractures?
There are several types of fractures that can occur in a Georgia car accident:
Hairline Fracture/Stress Fracture: These are small cracks in the bone; they may go unnoticed for some time after the accident. The victim may feel an ache or tingling and there may be bruising at the site.
Incomplete Fracture/Buckle Fractures/Torus Fracture: In these fractures, only part of the bone breaks or buckles. These are common in children because their ones are softer and more flexible.
Greenstick Fracture: This is an incomplete fracture in which one side of the bone breaks, but the other side bends.
Complete Fracture: A bone breaks into two or more pieces.
Transverse Fracture: Transverse fractures run across the bone and snap the bone into two long pieces. They usually occur when there is a direct blow to the injured bone.
Oblique Fracture: Oblique fractures are breaks at a diagonal to the long axis of the bone. They occur when a limb is trapped and one bone twists over the other.
Comminuted Fracture: In a comminuted fracture, the bone is broken into three or more pieces. These types of fractures are very difficult to treat.
Compound Fracture: When a broken bone breaks the skin, the injury is called a compound fracture. Because the blood is exposed to air and dirt, there is a risk of infection.
Avulsion Fracture: An avulsion fracture occurs when muscle, tendon or ligaments are pulled away from the bone. These serious injuries have a high rate of infection and usually require surgery.
How do I know if I have a fractured bone?
Symptoms of broken bones vary because there are different types of fractures. If you have a hairline fracture, you may only notice bruising or tingling. If you have a transverse fracture, your limb may look strange or a bone may look deformed or out of place. If you have a compound fracture, you may see bone coming out of your skin. If emergency responders suspect a broken bone, they will immobilize it to prevent further injury.
How are broken bones diagnosed and treated?
After a car accident, the doctor will conduct a thorough examination to look for injuries. If a broken bone is suspected, he will order X-rays or CT Scans in order to determine the extent of your injuries. The bone may be immobilized in a cast so it can heal, or you may require surgery
Broken bones can take weeks or longer to heal. It may be difficult to move around or go to work.
Do I need an Atlanta accident injury attorney?
Not every Georgia car crash injury victim requires the help of a personal injury lawyer. But, if you have extensive medical bills and have missed significant time from work, talking with an attorney is a good idea. You may be able to claim damages for your medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages.
If you would like to discuss your accident with an Atlanta accident injury attorney, contact Shane Smith Law at (980) 246-2656 and ask to schedule a free consultation.
To learn more about what to do after an auto accident, request a free copy of our book, 10 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Georgia Wreck Case.