A broken bone is one of the most common injuries a person can suffer. Broken bones may result from a number of different traumatic situations including car accidents, slip and fall accidents, construction accidents, and other kinds of accidents. Bone fractures can be debilitating and may require extensive medical care and treatment including casting, surgery, and rehabilitation. They may never fully heal or may require permanent hardware to affix the bones at the fracture site. Fractures may render someone unable to work or unable to function normally in his or her daily life, at least during the recovery process.
At Drake & Collopy, PC, we have over five decades of experience representing fracture victims of all kinds. If another person’s negligence or wrongful conduct caused you to suffer from a bone fracture, we are here to help. Our experienced attorneys will help you navigate the many challenges that injury victims face while giving you the peace of mind that your legal case is in good hands. As a client, you will have a team of experienced injury attorneys working diligently and aggressively on your behalf. Our ultimate goal is to secure the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries and your future. The first step is to get in touch with us to discuss your situation.
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Common Accident Related and Traumatic Bone Fractures
Fractures are most commonly caused by a traumatic injury. Some of the most common causes of fractures and the bones most likely to break include:
Car Accidents. Fractured bones are commonly seen in serious car accidents. In a car accident, occupants may be slammed against the interior structures of the vehicle. Fractures of the bones in the arms, legs, hands, and feet are common in car crashes. Drivers and front seat passengers may sustain fractures of the ribs and sternum as well as facial fractures caused by impacting the dashboard or steering wheel.
Slip and Fall Accidents. Fractures are also commonly seen in slip and fall accidents. Head trauma caused by a fall may result in a skull fracture. Falls also commonly lead to wrist, hand, and finger fractures as people often reach out to catch themselves. Falls may also result in hip fractures, especially in older people.
Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Accidents. Motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are especially vulnerable to broken bones in an accident because of the limited protection available to the body. Typical bone fractures seen in these types of accidents include skull fractures, facial fractures, dental fractures, shoulder fractures, leg fractures, rib fractures, and fractures of other bones in the upper and lower extremities.
Assault and Battery. A person who is assaulted may suffer a fractured skull if they are hit over the head, facial fractures, or a broken hand or wrist if they fall during the assault. A person who fights back may suffer fractures of the knuckles, hand, or wrist.
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Types of Traumatic Bone Fractures
Bone fractures can vary greatly in severity depending on the type of fracture. The type of fracture usually depends on the force that caused the break. With less severe force, the bone may sustain a hairline fracture rather than a complete break. If the force is extreme, such as that caused by a car or motorcycle accident, the bone may shatter into many pieces.
If a bone breaks in a way that bone fragments pierce and protrude from the skin, the fracture is called an open fracture.
Common types of fractures include:
- Non-displaced fracture. The broken ends of the bone line up and are minimally out of place.
- Open fracture. The bone pierces the skin and is visible outside of the body. This kind of fracture is especially serious because once the skin is broken, it may lead to infections in both the wound and the bone.
- Displaced fracture. The broken ends of the bone are out of alignment. In these cases, the broken bone needs to be put back into alignment in order to heal properly. This is known as a reduction.
- Comminuted fracture. A complex fracture where the bone shatters into three or more pieces. These fractures typically require surgery and may require implanted hardware (open reduction with internal fixation).
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Get Help From Skilled Chicago Bone Fracture Attorneys
At Drake & Collopy, P.C., we understand the impact a bone fracture can have on your life. Our team of experienced bone fracture attorneys is dedicated to helping you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. If you have sustained a fractured bone due to someone else’s neglect or wrongful conduct, we encourage you to reach out to us today. Our team will review your case and get started on building a strong case right away. We are your partner in recovery and will fight aggressively on your behalf.
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