The though of the aftermath related to a car accident does not cross the average driver’s mind when she gets into her car. Instead, a driver is thinking about where he needs to go or what errands she may need to run before the end of the day. But if you find yourself the victim of a collision in the Phoenix area, odds are that your perspective will change as a result and you will begin to look at the impact that crash has on your daily life.
Dealing with a car accident can be particularly challenging. Often, the damage done to a vehicle needs to be fixed, traffic tickets may need to be fought, and there is the overall inconvenience of being without a vehicle for some time. But when someone is hurt, the reality is much more extreme as the biggest part of a car accident claim is often the portion related to personal injuries sustained by a victim. Whether a victim was a driver, a passenger, or even a pedestrian who was hurt by a car, the victim may be entitled to compensation for the damages that get caused by the crash.
Any bone in the body can be broken when a collision happens but some are more likely than others to break. Arms and legs are among the most common fractures and can be some of the most painful. If a collision happens to the side of a car, anyone sitting on that side will be at risk for a broken bone and in any type of crash, victims who are thrown against the side of a car bear increased odds of a fracture.
Ribs are commonly broken in car accidents, especially among drivers and those who are ejected from a vehicle. Drivers tend to break their ribs if their chest comes into contact with a steering wheel, especially if an airbag is not present. Those who are thrown from a car may break their ribs when they land on a fixed object, on the ground, on a car, or if they are thrown against something. Broken ribs can make using your arms difficult, breathing painful, and sleeping problematic so it is not surprising that those who break ribs often describe the injury as having a significant effect on their lives.
The spinal column is made up of vertebrae, or bones, in the back and neck. Any one of these small but important bones can break or fracture if a car accident happens, and these injuries should never be treated lightly. If a broken bone moves out of place, it can damage or even sever the spinal cord which runs in the middle of the vertebrae, potentially leading to paralysis or even death.
Some fractured bones will heal on their own with minimal medical involvement like the use of a cast, a sling, or a brace. Others will not heal properly unless they are fixed surgically and they may need the use of a plate and/or screws to hold the broken pieces of bone together. In other cases, a broken bone may poke through the skin and create a risk for infection in addition to the need to repair the bone and the skin that covers it.
If you were the victim of a car accident in Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, or Gilbert and you suffered from a broken bone, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages, including your medical expenses. Call the personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us offer you a no-cost, no-obligation case consultation about your rights and legal options. We have a lawyer available 24/7 to speak with you and everything discussed will be confidential.
If an accident has changed your life or claimed the life of someone you love, call Abels & Annes, P.C. toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and let us get to work for you.
Prior Blog Entry:
Advanced Technology Can Make Hilly Driving Safer, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published January 25, 2016.