Can You Break Your Femur in a Car Accident?

Let a skilled Arizona lawyer help you recover compensation

A car accident on Arizona roads can change your life in seconds and suffering a femur fracture is more common than you might think. While the femur is the strongest bone in your body, it can break under the immense force of a collision. This could result in months of immobility, multiple surgeries, and intense rehabilitation.

Beyond the physical pain, the financial burden can be overwhelming, with mounting medical bills and lost income adding stress to an already difficult situation.

If you’ve broken your femur in an Arizona car accident, you may have the right to seek compensation. Understanding how these injuries happen, the challenges they bring, and how legal action can help you recover is key to moving forward.

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What causes femur fractures in Arizona car accidents?

Femur fractures don’t happen easily. It takes a great deal of force to break this bone, and the violent nature of car accidents can lead to these injuries. Some of the most common causes include:

High-impact crashes: In a high-speed crash or head-on collision, your femur may absorb much of the impact if your lower body gets trapped against the dashboard or steering column.
T-bone collisions: These car accidents are common at busy intersections and can deliver direct trauma to the femur.
Rollovers: When vehicles overturn on Arizona’s rural roads or high-speed curves, the twisting forces can cause spiral fractures.
Trauma from a seatbelt: A seatbelt worn incorrectly or without a lap belt can focus too much force on the femur, which can lead to fractures in an otherwise survivable crash.
Impaired driving collisions: Impaired drivers are more likely to cause high-speed collisions due to poor control and lack of judgment, this can increase the risk of a femur fracture.
Truck accidents: When a truck or other large vehicle collides with a smaller car, the sheer force can crush the legs, trapping them against the dashboard.

What types of femur fractures happen in car accidents?

Not all femur fractures are the same. The type of break you experience will affect your treatment plan, recovery time, and potential compensation. Common types of femur fractures include:

Open (compound) fractures: The bone pierces through the skin and creates a high risk of infection that requires immediate medical care.
Transverse fractures: This is a straight break across the bone, usually caused by a direct hit. These fractures often require surgery to hold the bone in place.
Spiral fractures: Twisting forces from rollovers can create a break that spirals around the bone, which makes treatment more challenging.
Comminuted fractures: When the bone shatters into multiple pieces, it can lead to complicated surgeries and longer recovery times.
Femoral neck fractures: This type of fracture occurs near the hip and may require hip replacement surgery or extensive rehabilitation.

Can you still walk on a fractured femur?

In most cases, walking on a fractured femur is nearly impossible. The femur supports your body’s weight, and once it’s broken, that structural support is gone. Attempting to walk can worsen the injury and cause misalignment or additional damage.

Some people with minor stress fractures or hairline cracks may still be able to walk, but it’s not recommended. Even small fractures can become severe if left untreated. Most femur fractures require immediate medical attention, including surgery and months of rehabilitation to regain mobility. This may include physical therapy to rebuild strength and function.

What challenges might I face when pursuing a femur fracture claim?

Filing a claim for a femur fracture after a car accident isn’t always easy. Insurance companies often try to reduce their financial obligation by shifting the blame onto you or claiming that your injury is over-exaggerated. Proving the full extent of your injuries can be challenging. Some of the biggest hurdles you may face include:

Expensive medical treatments: Surgery, hospitalization, and long-term rehabilitation for a broken femur can result in medical bills that exceed $100,000.
Proving the full impact: Insurance companies may argue that your recovery will be quicker than expected. This is how they downplay your need for long-term care.
Arizona’s comparative negligence rule: Under Arizona’s comparative negligent rule, your compensation could be reduced by the percentage of fault you contributed to a crash. If insurance companies are able to shift some blame onto you, your compensation could be reduced.

What compensation is available for a femur fracture in Arizona?

A femur fracture can take a significant financial toll. Compensation from a personal injury claim can help cover:

Medical costs (current and future): This includes emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
Lost wages and future earning capacity: Being out of work for months can result in a significant loss of income.
Pain and suffering: This accounts for the physical, mental, and emotional pain you’ve suffered as a result of your femur fracture.
Home modifications: You may need adjustments to your living space, such as wheelchair ramps or widened doorways, to accommodate your recovery.

How much compensation can you receive for a femur fracture?

If you’ve suffered a femur fracture in an Arizona car accident, the amount of compensation you could receive depends on several factors, including the severity of your injury and how it affects your life.

On average, settlements for femur fractures fall between $75,000 and $150,000. However, in more serious cases (such as open fractures that require multiple surgeries) settlements can reach $500,000 or more.

It’s important to remember that these figures are just averages. The actual amount you may recover will depend on the specifics of your case, such as your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and how the injury impacts your daily activities.

Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who understands Arizona laws can help you get a clearer picture of what your claim may be worth and what steps to take next. They can accurately calculate your current and future damages until you reach maximum medical improvement. This way, the insurance companies can’t attempt to lowball your settlement.

How can an Arizona car accident lawyer help with my femur fracture claim?

Recovering from a femur fracture after a car accident can be tough, as the medical bills pile up, work becomes impossible, and the future feels uncertain. Handling a legal claim on your own can add unnecessary stress. That’s why it’s best to seek legal help from a skilled Arizona car accident lawyer who can take the burden off your shoulders and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.

Attorney Byron Browne of Browne Law Group has helped crash victims throughout Gilbert and across Arizona get the justice and compensation they need. He takes an aggressive, no-nonsense approach to handling car accident claims and standing up to insurance companies.

That includes investigating the details of your crash, gathering crucial evidence, and negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf. If necessary, Attorney Browne will be prepared to take your case to trial and fight for a maximum verdict.

Browne Law Group offers free consultations to discuss your case and answer your questions. There’s no cost to get started, and you owe nothing unless we win your case. If you’ve suffered a broken femur in a crash, don’t wait to get the legal help you need. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward getting the compensation you deserve.

“Byron and his team are very attentive and caring. Excellent customer service. They go above and beyond to fight for you and get the job done.”
– V.E.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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