Broken bones are commonly reported injuries in road traffic accidents and are treated based on severity. Victims often incur medical bills and other losses, making them wonder how much they can get as compensation. An Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you to calculate all your losses, medical bills, pain and suffering, and other costs.
However, every case is different; therefore, estimating the average compensation for broken bones in a car accident is hard. In addition, several fractures require different types of care, and healing from a fractured bone may also need continuing care.
So, you must get a fair settlement covering the value of your past, present, and future losses from the at-fault party. Contact us at The Weinstein Firm if negligence by a third party caused your injury. But first, let’s discuss the different types of fractures and their possible compensation.
Types of Bone Fractures
Bone fractures that are commonly seen in Atlanta’s hospitals fall into one of the following categories:
- Stable Fracture: A fracture in which the shattered ends of the bone still line up or slightly deviate from their original positions.
- Compound Fracture: This occurs when the shattered bone pierces the skin.
- Horizontal Fracture: Here, the bone breaks horizontally, and it is also referred to as a transverse fracture.
- Oblique Fracture: The bone fractures at an angle.
- Comminuted Fracture: The bone shatters into at least three fragments.
- Incomplete Fracture: An incomplete fracture results in cracking but not breaking.
- Complete Fracture: This happens when the bone breaks or cracks.
- Compact Fracture: It happens when bones collide.
Some of these breaks are more severe than others and need immediate treatment by a doctor.
Medical Care for Broken Bones
Broken bones are treated according to their type, severity, and location. Some of the treatments and procedures that doctors regularly recommend to patients with these kinds of injuries include:
- Surgery
- Traction dressings
- Physical exercise
- Occupational therapy
- Manipulating a joint
- Painkillers
Caring for broken bones adequately is expensive and can result in massive medical bills. Therefore, we advise that you consult a lawyer to seek your compensation.
What Compensation Could You Be Entitled to? An Atlanta Accident Lawyer Explains
Victims of broken bone injuries have the right to financial compensation for their injuries and pain. The payment is usually based on the severity of your injuries.
Here are some of the damages you are entitled to sue for:
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Payment for Immediate Medical Bills
It is vital to go to the hospital immediately after an accident resulting in broken bones and receive care. Getting this care means payment of medical bills, which include tests, medications, surgeries, etc. You are entitled to compensation for these costs.
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Long-Term Care
Fracture surgeries are always expensive, and you might need extra medical attention, such as physical therapy. Also, you might have to make changes to your house and get assistive medical devices like wheelchairs or crutches. The compensation amount covers all these.
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Loss of Income
You may miss work if your broken bone needs surgery or therapy. Financial security for your family can suffer due to lost income, mainly if you are the primary provider. Thankfully, you can include lost wages among the claimed financial settlement.
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Reduced Earning Capacity
If your broken bones affect your ability to work, you may be entitled to compensation for the difference in salary you may earn. This is known as reduced earning capacity.
Even if you can go back to work, you might not be able to do the same jobs that you used to perform before the car accident. Therefore, your settlement needs to account for temporary or permanent impairment that can alter how you will work in the future.
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Pain and Suffering
Broken bones hurt, which can be very inconvenient while recovering. However, you cannot put a monetary value on your physical and mental suffering. But thankfully, an Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you calculate how much to request as compensation.
What Is the Average Settlement for Broken Bones?
If someone else’s negligence led to your accident, you have the right to compensation. This is because Georgia operates an at-fault car accident system, meaning the person at fault settles the victim.
But how much can you get as compensation for broken bones? As mentioned, each case is decided on merits, so there is no fixed settlement sum.
However, the average compensation for a fibula or tibia fracture ranges from $70,000 to $90,000. An average settlement value for broken femurs ranges from $150,000 to $175,000.
The severity and the type of fracture also affect how much you get. Other factors that influence the settlement sum are the presence of comparative negligence, the available evidence, and the experience of the accident attorney.
What Is the Georgia Statute of Limitations for Broken Bones in a Car Accident?
The Statute of Limitations is a law that establishes a deadline for filing a lawsuit. You cannot file a case after the Statute of Limitations stated deadline has passed.
The Statute of Limitations is meant to promote fairness, even though it may seem harsh. The limitation period stops a plaintiff from threatening to sue someone constantly and makes it more likely that vital evidence will still be available when needed.
According to Georgia Code Section 9-3-33, all cases for physical injuries, such as broken bones, whiplash, traumatic brain injury, etc., must be brought within two years. However, there are exceptions to this rule.
Some of the notable exceptions are:
- Firstly, if you were under 18 when the accident occurred, the Statute of Limitations won’t begin to run until you become 18.
- Second, within 12 months of the loss’s discovery, a written notice of claim must be made to the relevant parties if you’re suing the government.
Do You Need a Settlement for a Broken Bone Injury? Contact Our Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Today!
If another party is at fault for your injury resulting in broken bones, they must compensate you for your suffering. So you don’t have to bear the burden of your injuries alone.
However, you would need a personal injury lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia. At The Weinstein Firm, our legal team has years of experience helping victims get justice and will ensure that you get maximum compensation.
We help by gathering the necessary documents, like medical records and bills, accident reports, etc. We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid until you win your case. So contact us today for a free consultation with our personal injury lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia.
