The healing process after any injury involving a broken bone can be long and painful. Mounting medical expenses and wage losses can quickly drain the finances of even the most stable family unit. It is essential for anyone who has suffered such an injury to consult an experienced Berkeley broken bone lawyer to analyze the circumstances of how they were hurt in the first place.

Broken bones and bone fractures can happen to anyone and at any age. We have experience handling these types of catastrophic injury cases and understand how to argue for the compensation you need to be made whole. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Common Causes of Broken Bones

Broken bones, also called bone fractures, are common injuries that can occur at any stage of life. The bones most often fractured in accidents range from the skull, neck, and spine to arms and hands, legs, and feet. To heal correctly, broken bones must be treated promptly, properly set, and stabilized. In simple cases, this can be done by enclosing the fractured bone in a cast. In more complicated cases, surgery may be needed to insert metal pins, screws, rods, or plates that will correctly re-align the fractured bone and set it in place so that it can heal properly.

Typically, a bone will break when force is exerted upon it to such an extent that the bone cannot withstand the pressure that has been applied.

Unless a fracture is compound, X-rays are often necessary to confirm whether a bone has been broken. Symptoms of even hairline fractures include intense pain, decreased mobility, and numbness of the limb. Any fracture must be treated promptly to minimize pain and avoid future complications.

Accidents that Cause Broken Bones

A wide range of accidents can result in broken bones for the injured party. These accidents can occur due to one or both parties negligence. Accidents include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Pedestrian accidents – can be caused either by a driver who does not operate a vehicle safely or by a pedestrian who does not pay attention to the surroundings and/or fails to obey traffic laws.
  • Bicycle accidents – just like pedestrians and vehicle operators, bicyclists have an obligation to obey traffic regulations and to be aware of their surroundings.
  • Vehicular accidents – drivers are required to operate their vehicles safely, be aware of their surroundings, and obey traffic regulations.
  • Truck accidents – truck drivers have the same duties and responsibilities as other drivers, if not more, and should always be aware that in the event of an accident, the size and weight of their vehicle can lead to serious injuries.
  • Motorcycle accidents – due to a lack of protection, motorcyclists are more likely to suffer injuries in which they break bones.
  • Construction site accidents – these include falls from heights or other types of injuries that might occur at a site.
  • Slips and falls – all property owners have a duty to maintain their properties correctly by repairing or removing hazards that could cause falls in which an individual breaks a bone or is otherwise injured.
  • Assault –unwanted touching, or aggression, is defined as ‘assault’.

All these accidents can cause fractures. A Berkeley broken bone attorney can help you understand your options.

Broken Bone Injuries

Broken bone injuries can vary in their severity and the degree to which the bone is broken. They can generally be broken down into the following categories:

  • Hairline or stress fractures – occur if there is a small crack in the bone. Sometimes these types of fractures cannot be read in an X-ray.
  • Simple fractures – occur in instances where the bone does not pierce through the skin.
  • Complete fractures – occur when the bone breaks into two pieces.
  • Stable fractures – occur when the ends of the bone line up correctly and can be aligned.
  • Incomplete fractures – occur in instances where there is a partial break of the bone.
  • Compound or open fractures – occur when the broken bone pierces through the skin or, alternatively, when an object pierces through the skin and fractures a bone. Such fractures often require surgery.
  • Avulsion fractures – occur when a piece of the bone separates. Such fractures can also occur when a ligament or tendon detaches and/or pulls away from a bone.
  • Buckle fractures – occur when there is a noticeable bend in a bone that does not completely fracture.
  • Oblique fractures – occur when there is an unhealthy, angled pattern to the bone break.

Fractured bones resulting from an accident can cause a wide range of injuries that may require vastly different types of treatment. In certain instances, when the break is less severe, there can be temporary physical damage that causes discomfort and inconvenience. In more serious cases, surgery and protracted physical therapy may be needed. If the injured person has suffered multiple fractured or crushed bones, permanent injury may result, with a potential loss of complete mobility and strength.

The Importance of Retaining a Lawyer After Suffering a Broken Bone in an Accident

Following an accident that results in bone fractures, the importance of a skilled and experienced personal injury attorney cannot be overstated. The injured party will almost certainly have incurred expenses for which they are entitled to compensation. An experienced Berkeley broken bone attorney will help you pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to for the economic and non-economic damages you have suffered. These damages may include compensation for medical expenses, therapy and rehabilitation costs, wages that you lost due to your inability to work, and pain and suffering.

It is important to remember that California is a comparative negligence state. An individual can recover monetary damages even if partially responsible for the accident.

Contact a Berkeley Broken Bone Attorney

We take pride in representing our clients with attention and skill. Serving all of California, our firm prides itself on developing close relationships with our clients and their families. We have valuable experience in representing clients who have suffered fractured bones in accidents or falls and in negotiating or on their behalf with insurance companies. We are also prepared to file a lawsuit on your behalf, if necessary, to ensure your rights are protected. Call or email for a free consultation with a Berkeley broken bone lawyer.