Broken bones from a Maryland truck accident can be not only painful but leave you unsure of what your options and next steps are. A truck accident of any kind can be stressful. At the accident scene, adrenaline may cloud your thoughts, leaving you unsure how to proceed. The best thing to do is call the police and request they come to the scene. Not only will they orchestrate a calm exchange of information, but they may write an accident report. While these reports are generally inadmissible at trial, they provide a lot of value during the settlement negotiation process. When you have a broken bone, calling paramedics may also be necessary. While the police are orchestrating an exchange of information, the paramedics will treat you and take you to the hospital if they deem it necessary.
If you have broken bones from a Maryland truck accident, it is vital to understand what legal rights and compensation you may be entitled to. Calling a personal injury law firm in Maryland will get you on track. Many firms, including Gelb & Gelb, offer free consultations. During this conversation, we will tell you whether you have a viable claim against the defendant, help you investigate and uncover any evidence necessary to win your case, and set you on track toward maximizing your recovery. Especially for a broken bone case, you should act quickly to preserve your legal rights. While the statute of limitations in a personal injury case in Maryland is typically three years, other statutes you should consider may be applicable. Thus, contacting a lawyer immediately may increase the ultimate value of your case.
A plaintiff can suffer any number of broken bones from a Maryland truck accident. Below, we discuss a combination of the most common broken bones and the most impactful on your daily life.
Legs are highly vulnerable in a Maryland truck accident. This is especially true when a truck hits a smaller vehicle on the side. Due to the weight difference between an 18-wheeler and any other vehicle, the impact can crush the legs of the occupant on either side of the smaller vehicle. We see several different types of leg fractures as truck accident attorneys. While the femur is known as the single strongest bone in the body, the force from a truck accident can easily shatter it. As you might imagine, it is the strongest bone for a reason. The femur is necessary for getting around. Recovery from a femur break often requires extensive surgery, including the use of metal rods or plates for stabilization. Not only is this expensive, but it is quite painful and long-lasting.
We also frequently observe tibia fractures, fibula fractures, and knee fractures. While surgical knee repairs continue to improve, it is still one injury you do not want to test for yourself. When a client suffers broken bones from a Maryland truck accident, we are sure to account for pain and suffering damages and any medical expenses you may incur.
Rib fractures can occur in the same manner as a leg fracture in a Maryland truck accident. The difference tends to be that the vehicle the victim is in is higher off the ground, leading to a higher point of impact on their body. We frequently observe rib fractures in accidents where the plaintiff collides with the steering wheel, dashboard, or even seatbelt in the collision if the accident is severe enough.
When discussing broken bones from a Maryland truck accident, there are a few different degrees of rib fractures. The first type is known as a simple rib fracture. This is when a break occurs on the bone, but the bone does not pierce the skin. This is why doctors refer to it as simple. If the bone pierces through the skin, there is a serious risk of infection, which can cause major health issues. A displaced rib fracture is also one to worry about if you are in a truck accident. This is when the rib moves out of alignment. Not only is it excruciating to perform simple movements such as a deep breath, but there is a risk that the displaced rib will puncture internal organs such as the lungs, heart, or liver. This can quickly become a life-threatening injury and requires immediate medical attention.
While the previous two broken bones from a Maryland truck accident do not sound so bad relative to a skull fracture, we have learned how bad they can be. Of course, a skull fracture does sound like it can be life-threatening. A skull fracture in a Maryland truck accident case is one of the most serious injuries a person can sustain. A linear skull fracture does not result in displacement. Although, it may still lead to brain swelling and should receive immediate medical attention.
A second type of skull fracture is a depressed fracture. This is highly dangerous. It is when the skull is pressed inward, creating a depression of the skull and may push against the brain. This type of fracture often leads to brain damage and even death. Surgery is often required to elevate the bone and relieve pressure on the brain.
Your legal rights if you have broken bones from a Maryland truck accident depends on how the accident occurs. If we can prove the defendant was negligent in causing the truck accident, and we can survive any affirmative defenses or statutes, we may be able to recover compensation against the defendant. Of course, a trucker’s insurance is more complex than the typical motor accident case. As experienced truck accident lawyers, we excel at identifying any applicable insurance policies if one exists.
Compensation for broken bones from a Maryland truck accident depends on the nature of your injuries. We break compensation into two categories to determine what your case is worth. Then, we must consider the county where we would file the lawsuit if we get to that stage. Even if we never get to the trial stage and can settle before filing suit, we must consider the county when evaluating your case’s value.
First, we consider any economic damages you may incur because of your fractured bones. Most commonly, these include medical expenses and lost wages. Although, it may also include things like the reasonable cost of transportation from your home to your doctor’s appointments. For such a significant injury, it can take several months to complete your physical recovery. Because we have three years from the date of injury to file suit against the defendant, we are not in a rush to file. However, we do need to act quickly to preserve other statutes that do not require us to go to court to fulfill.
The second category is noneconomic damages. This is the pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life because of your broken bones. As you can imagine, if you permanently or even temporarily lose the ability to use your arm, leg, wrist, or any other limb, you are entitled to compensation for that lost time.
If you are struggling with broken bones from a Maryland truck accident, call our office today at (202) 331-7227 for a free consultation.