Broken bones are among the main injuries that happen in car crashes. The reality is that the force of the collision has to be absorbed, at least in some part, by your body. That means that bones, muscles and other tissues take a hit. When the impact is hard enough, the bones may not be able to withstand it.
When that happens, the bones inside the body crack. This leads to anything from minor fractures up to fully shattered bones, depending on the force involved.
Bones heal, so why are broken bones so serious?
Although broken bones may heal, the truth is that they are serious in certain cases. When bones break through the skin, they open up a pathway for bacteria to enter. These wounds are prone to infection, and surgery may be needed to clean out the site before closure is possible.
In crushing injuries, bones may shatter inside the body. When a bone shard breaks free, it could travel and cause damage in other places. For example, a bone shard in the leg could cut a major artery, or a broken rib could pierce the lungs.
Do you have to see a doctor about a broken bone?
It is essential for anyone who has broken bones to seek medical attention right away, so that a medical provider can order tests to see the severity of the injury. X-rays, magnetic resonance images and computerized tomography scans are used to see the bones and tissues.
If the bones need to be set, then the patient may be anesthetized and taken for surgery in some cases. Surgeries are most common when rods or screws need to be used to place the bone back together or if the bones have broken the skin and have let debris and bacteria inside the body.
As you can see, a broken bone can have serious consequences. If you’re hurt in a car crash, you should seek medical attention. Your attorney can also help you seek the compensation that you need to cover any losses you’ve suffered as a result of the other driver’s negligence.