Vehicle collisions can result in injuries that may cost someone hundreds of thousands of dollars. The average person can easily understand why a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury could have life-altering financial consequences.
Other injuries may not seem as serious when compared with catastrophic injuries. A broken bone, for example, is usually only a temporary medical setback. However, some people learn after a car crash that a broken bone or fracture can cost tens of thousands of dollars or more. Why might a broken bone become incredibly expensive for someone who has been injured in a car crash?
Not all fractures are easy to treat
A simple, stable fracture may require an X-ray to diagnose followed by a cast. The most expensive aspect of treatment might be the physical therapy someone requires to regain their prior degree of flexibility and strength after a prolonged period of resting their injured body part.
Certain types of fractures are far more expensive to treat than others. Comminuted fractures, including spiral fractures, occur when the bone breaks into many small pieces. A bone broken in multiple places likely requires surgery for a doctor to set the bone. The patient may require implanted medical devices to allow for a full recovery. In some cases, they may have permanent reductions and function related to the broken bone.
Open or compound fractures can lead to extreme blood loss and heightened infection risk. The treatment protocol for these dangerous fractures usually also includes surgery and could quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars. Occasionally, severe fractures caused by crushing injuries are so bad that medical professionals reach the conclusion that amputation is the best solution.
In any of these scenarios, the medical treatment someone requires could quickly exceed the coverage available through liability car insurance. People may also need to consider the wages they cannot earn during their treatment or after their injury because of the functional consequences of their broken bones.
Accepting an insurance settlement after a serious car crash can be a fast way to cover financial losses but can leave someone without adequate compensation. People who learn more about the possible consequences of their injuries may have an easier time pursuing an appropriate amount of compensation.
