Broken bones are among the most common injuries suffered in serious truck accidents due to the bending, twisting, and crushing forces involved in such collisions. Broken bones often require surgery, lengthy recovery periods, and long-term physical limitations.
If you or someone you care about sustained a fracture during a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the truck driver or trucking company. The sections below discuss the types of broken bones that individuals experience in a truck crash, along with the damages they may recover after filing a truck accident claim in Aurora, IL.
Types of Broken Bones After a Truck Accident
Truck crashes frequently cause complex fractures due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles relative to those of traditional passenger vehicles. There are four main types of broken bones:
Simple (Closed) Fractures
A simple fracture occurs when the bone breaks but does not pierce the skin. Even though the injury may appear less severe, closed fractures can still require casting, immobilization, and months of healing.
Compound (Open) Fractures
Compound fractures are more serious than simple fractures. In these instances, the broken bone penetrates the skin, increasing the risk of infection and significant blood loss. Surgery is often necessary to stabilize the bone and may require plates, screws, or rods.
Comminuted Fractures
A comminuted fracture happens when the bone shatters into multiple pieces due to intense pressure or crushing. These injuries are frequently seen in high-impact truck crashes and almost always require surgical repair. Victims may experience long-term weakness or reduced function in the affected area.
Multiple Fractures
In truck collisions, victims commonly suffer multiple fractures and crushing injuries. These can affect the arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, or spine, or any combination thereof. Severe fractures may lead to permanent disability and chronic pain.
How Broken Bones Happen in Aurora Truck Accidents
The weight disparity between passenger vehicles and large trucks significantly increases the likelihood of serious bone breaks. Even at low speeds, the force can easily break bones.
Common causes of bone breaks in truck crashes include:
- Being struck by a tractor-trailer in a rear-end or T-bone collision
- The vehicle collapsing or crumpling during impact
- Being pinned inside the car due to intrusion from the truck
- Ejection from the vehicle in a rollover crash
- Heavy cargo shifting or spilling during the accident
If a negligent truck driver or trucking company caused your injuries, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your accident-related losses.
What Compensation Is Available for Broken Bone Injuries?
Broken bones may sound like a common injury, but they can come with surprising damages, pain, and long-term recovery.
If another party was responsible for your crash, you may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages to compensate for your financial and personal losses.
If successful, your injury claim may include compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced future earning capacity (if you can’t return to work)
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Determining the true value of an Aurora truck accident injury claim requires extensive financial analysis, often from medical and economic experts. An experienced Aurora truck accident attorney can help you track and calculate the full extent of your losses. They can also help you navigate every stage of your claim and hold trucking companies and insurers fully accountable for your damages.
Contact Feagans Law Group today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal options after an Aurora truck crash.