Motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of permanent injury and premature death. The possible injuries caused by a car crash could include amputations and spinal cord injuries. Compared with those seemingly devastating health concerns, a broken bone may not seem very serious.
After all, modern medicine is capable of setting even the worst fractures. Although some people need surgery and physical therapy, almost everyone with a broken bone will eventually make a full recovery. People sometimes jump to the conclusion that a fracture will only have a limited impact on their health and finances, but a tiny portion of fractures will lead to a lifelong disability.
Sometimes things go wrong with the healing process
The human body can repair a broken bone given adequate rest and nutrition. Most people will recover from fractures over the course of six to 20 weeks, depending on the location and severity of the fracture. Most people can regain their lost strength and range of motion through therapy after a broken bone and will move on with their lives as though nothing happened. However, some people will notice that the pain in the affected body part continues or gets worse even after they heal. That pain may feel deeper and change from a stabbing sensation to a burning or tingling pain. Sometimes, broken bones are the precipitating events that lead to people developing complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
This currently incurable medical condition causes chronic pain, limits functional ability and often worsens over time. People may notice reduced strength and range of motion even after the bone heals. The skin, hair or nails near the location of the injury may change in color, temperature or texture when compared with the other side of the body. They may experience persistent symptoms even years after they heal, and in some cases, their CRPS will prevent them from working and lead to ongoing medical expenses. For the rare individual who develops a severe medical condition because of a car crash fracture, a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary because of the extreme costs generated.
Learning more about the possible consequences of a broken bone may help those hurt in a crash make more informed choices after seeking legal guidance and when beginning to pursue fairly-valued compensation claims.
