Virginia Attorneys for Fractures After a Car Accident

If you experienced fractures and broken bones after a car accident in Virginia that was not your fault, you might be entitled to compensation. After a car accident, there are numerous forms to fill out, insurance claims to submit, and negotiations with the insurance company to get the compensation you need.

When you are recovering from accident-related injuries, this process can get overwhelming. While you may be entitled to compensation, the insurance companies do not make it easy to get money. In some cases, the trauma of the incident can trigger emotional and psychological injuries.

The legal team at CHASENBOSCOLO recognizes the physical, financial, and mental burden that an accident can cause. We know that this is a challenging time in life, and we want you to know that you are not alone. The compassionate and experienced Virginia car accident attorneys of CHASENBOSCOLO fight hard to protect your right to fair compensation. Call our office today at (703) 538-1138 for your free consultation and case evaluation.

What Types of Fractures Are Common in a Car Accident?

The terms are often used interchangeably, and for good reason: fractures and broken bones are the same things. In some cases, people use the term “fracture” to indicate a break in the bone where the bone doesn’t separate, also called a hairline fracture.

However, a fracture is a broken bone. Several types of fractures are more commonly experienced during a car accident. Fractures are first classified as open or closed. An open fracture is one where the skin is broken, and the bone protrudes. A closed fracture does not have broken skin.

Next, your healthcare provider will describe the type of fracture you sustained. These include:

Partial: A partial break doesn’t go all the way through the bone. A hairline fracture is one type of partial fracture.

Complete: A complete fracture happens when the bone break goes all the way through the bone but there is no gap between the two parts.

Displaced: A displaced fracture occurs with a complete bone break when a gap appears between the two ends.

Comminuted: In this case, there are multiple small shards of bone within the break, and there may be a gap between the two larger pieces.

Additional descriptions of the fracture identify whether the bone break occurs in a spiral fashion, such as when the limb is forcefully twisted, or if the break is transverse (straight across) or oblique (at an angle).

How Are Fractures Treated and How Long Is Recovery?

The goal of treatment for all fractures, no matter the location in the body, is to align the ends of the bone and stabilize the area until the bone heals. The medical term for this process is a reduction. Bones may require an open or closed reduction.

During a closed reduction, the ends of the bone likely have not been displaced. Using an x-ray to confirm the placement, the orthopedic doctor may apply a cast and watch the bone as it heals over six to eight weeks. In some cases, you may require an open reduction.

In an open reduction, the bone is aligned during a surgical procedure. During an open or closed reduction, the surgeon can place several fixation devices, including pins or screws. However, rods and plates can only be placed during an open reduction of the fracture.

Depending on the severity of the fracture, immobilization and stabilization may include a cast, traction, splint, internal or external fixation, or internal cast. For example, after a bone break, the muscles may contract so severely that the ends of the bone overlap. In this case, the orthopedic surgeon may prescribe traction for several days or a week until the muscles relax and the bone can be realigned.

After a vertebral bone break, a surgeon may need to insert cement material around the bone to stabilize the area as the bone heals. This is an internal cast. It can take up to eight weeks for a bone fracture to heal.

After a fracture heals, you may be left with disfigurement, a limp, or chronic pain, depending on the location and severity of the fracture.

How an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Can Help

After a car accident that was not your fault, you may be approached by an insurance adjuster, even while you are recovering in the hospital. While they often appear friendly, it is their job to disprove your claim.

They may want to ask you questions, record a statement, or may bring an early settlement offer from the insurance company. You are well within your legal rights to refuse to answer questions until your attorney is present.

The experienced and skilled attorneys at CHASENBOSCOLO can help prevent you from saying something inadvertently that will negatively affect your case. Your attorney will also advise you not to post anything on social media until after your case has been settled or has been resolved in court.

The legal team at CHASENBOSCOLO can help gather evidence to prove your claim and will utilize resources you likely do not have access to. We use this information and the details you provide to develop a customized approach to negotiating with the insurance company or litigating your case in court if negotiations are unsuccessful.

Time Limit to File a Lawsuit

Insurance companies have several strategies they use to reduce the compensation they pay or eliminate it altogether. One strategy is to delay the negotiations past the time allowed to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Every state has a time limit in which you can file a personal injury lawsuit. This time limit is defined by the statute of limitations. In Virginia, you have two years from the date of the accident to file the appropriate papers in court. If you miss the deadline, you may altogether relinquish your right to file a lawsuit for compensation.

Contact CHASENBOSCOLO for Help After a Car Accident

After a car accident that was not your fault, you need an attorney experienced in car accidents who will aggressively fight for your right to fair compensation. The legal team at CHASENBOSCOLO has a history of protecting the rights of our clients.

We have had over 500 jury trials in the last five years and have recovered more than $750 million since 1986. We recognize that every case is unique, and we take the time to listen to the details of your situation.

It is important that you work with a lawyer who can accomplish your goals. We will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve.

Call our office at (703) 538-1138 today to speak with one of our legal professionals for your free consultation and case evaluation.