Broken bones in a DC car accident are an unfortunate yet common occurrence. When clients call our office for a consultation, we usually get the same few questions. First, clients want to know whether they have a case worth pursuing. If the answer is that they do, their next question is how much their case is worth. We look to address both of these common questions here. While many expected flying cars and autonomous vehicles by 2024, technology and safety have yet to make the strides we expected. While safety technology has advanced tremendously over time, they are only incremental evolutions year after year. However, with their extensive experience and expertise, our DC car accident lawyers are still tasked with fighting for victims following catastrophic accidents.
The broken bones that result from car accidents are varied. They can be serious and life-threatening accidents that also have severe fractures, or there can be minor hairline fractures. Naturally, the x-rays in evidence will tell the story there. But how do we measure the value of your broken bone? Is it true that all fractured elbows should be valued the same? When negotiating a settlement for a case outside of court, we have to generalize based on the venue where we would file your lawsuit. Note that even if your car accident occurs in DC, we may still file it in Maryland if it is a favorable venue. But every case is different. There are various facts, such as more likable plaintiffs and more unlikeable defendants.
Moreover, some juries are more generous and compassionate than others. Thus, putting a blanket value on what a broken bone in a DC car accident is worth is impossible. However, we will explore the factors that a jury or attorney will consider when valuing your case.
Ultimately, the number of scenarios that lead to broken bones in a DC car accident is infinite. Any number of accident scenarios can cause a fracture. Part of the question revolves around the victim. If it is an older plaintiff, such as a grandparent, they may be more prone to breaking a bone than a younger person in their 20s. Whether someone is wearing a seatbelt or has a functioning airbag, there are more factors to consider. Lastly, the speed at which the cars drive is an impactful factor. But beyond those factors, there are common car accident scenarios that lead to broken bones.
A head-on collision is the most likely accident scenario for fractured bones. When cars are traveling in opposite directions, there is a considerable amount of force that is meeting. If both cars go 60 miles per hour, that is double the force of one car going 60 and rear-ending a stopped vehicle. This is why head-on collisions contribute not only to the most broken bones but the most fatalities in DC car accidents. Unfortunately, there are many roads in DC where this is possible. Unlike some highways with concrete medians, many well-traveled streets in DC have only a yellow line, splitting the two ways of traffic.
Broken bones in a DC car accident plague several accidents in Washington, D.C., every day. Whether on K Street, Capital Hill, Southeast DC, or anywhere else downtown, head-on collisions and other severe accident types inflict pain on accident victims.
The femur is the largest, heaviest, and longest bone in the thigh. It is the biggest bone and arguably the hardest to break. However, the impact and force in a car accident are more than enough to cause a snap. The femur plays a tremendous role in whether a person can perform basic tasks like standing or walking. Accordingly, a femur fracture can significantly disrupt your quality of life. If you cannot perform a task as simple as walking or standing, you cannot perform even the most basic human activities. There is significant compensation available for this pain and suffering.
Different femur fractures have different implications. For example, of the four possible femur fractures, a femoral shaft fracture is a break in the thicket part of the bone. So, a fracture there almost always requires surgery and an extended recovery time. A distal femur fracture is a break at the top of the knee joint. While not as thick a part of the bone, it can disturb your knee usage and require surgery.
Arm breaks are even more common broken bones in a DC car accident than a femur. It is natural to try to brace yourself in a car accident. While studies have shown this is not the best action plan, it is instinctive and hard to resist. But when you do brace, you risk fracture. Whether it is the humerus, radius, or ulna, you may suffer either a simple or complex fracture. When you suffer a simple fracture, it is simply a fracture that occurs without puncturing your skin. When you suffer a compound fracture, the bone has pierced the skin and is vulnerable to the air. The risk of a compound fracture is the risk of infection. Thus, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention to close off the wound.
A rib break can be distinguished from the other broken bones in a DC car accident. When an accident victim fractures a rib, the treatment plan is typically to rest and recover. In most cases, no physical therapy is prescribed for a rib break. Thus, a jury might see little medical treatment and think the injury is not severe. However, a rib break is anything but unserious. A rib break, while not as debilitating as a fractured femur, also affects nearly every aspect of your life. Even something as simple as breathing can become strained and painful. Thus, your quality of life will suffer. Our past clients have also complained that sleeping is difficult. Naturally, lying on your side is difficult with a broken rib. Poor quality of sleep can also affect all aspects of your day.
So, how does one break a rib in a DC car accident? While a seatbelt is highly advisable as it prevents far more severe injuries caused by flying through the windshield, the force going against the seatbelt can be enough to crush your rib.
When a car accident victim slams their head against their steering wheel or even against the airbag, it can lead to a cranial fracture. Of course, this is one thing the airbag is intended to avoid. However, the airbag can also propel one’s head into the window, causing a cranial fracture. Similar to the seatbelt with a rib fracture, the airbag’s net effect is positive but imperfect.
At Gelb & Gelb, P.C., our attorneys have handled broken bones in a DC car accident for 70 years. If you have any questions regarding the viability of your claim or what your injuries may be worth, contact our office today for a free consultation. Our office is open 24/7 to take your calls and answer any questions you have at (202) 331-7227.
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