While pelvic fractures are not an overly common result of car accidents and tractor-trailer wrecks, they certainly can happen as a result of high-impact collisions. Pelvic fractures themselves make up only about 3% of all adult fractures. Though they are not common, they can be severe. They almost always result from a high-energy incident such as a car crash, fall, or serious blow to the body. The law firm of Maginnis Howard has decades of experience representing folks with pelvic fractures. We can assist you if you have suffered a pelvic fracture as a result of another person’s negligence.
The Pelvis
The pelvis is a ring of bones that sits at the end of the spine. It includes the sacrum, coccyx (tailbone), and the hip bones. The hip bone is itself made up of three bones: the ilium, ischium, and pubis. These three bones meet to form the acetabulum. This is the socket for the ball-and-socket hip joint.
The pelvis protects important blood vessels, nerves, and portions of the bowel, bladder, and reproductive organs. Fractures of the pelvis fall into two categories: stable or unstable. As you might imagine, the unstable fractures are more dangerous. An unstable fracture usually includes displacement of the pelvic bones, meaning that they no longer line up properly. With a stable fracture, the bones are fractured but are still lined up in many cases.
Symptoms and Treatment for Pelvic Fracture
The symptoms of a pelvic fracture are frequently immediate and drastic. A fractured pelvis can be an excruciating injury. Walking typically worsens the pain. Swelling or bruising may accompany the pain.
Treatment for pelvic fractures varies widely, depending upon the nature of the fracture itself. Particularly with unstable fractures, there can be many problems that require the intervention of many different types of doctors. This is even truer when, in addition to the pelvic fracture, there are other types of injuries. This is very common in car wrecks and tractor-trailer accidents, given that a crash that causes a pelvic fracture is likely to break other bones as well.
Ultimately, whether or not you will need surgery depends upon the severity of the fracture. X-rays, CT Scans, and MRIs can help the doctor determine whether surgery is necessary. If surgery is not necessary, you will still likely need medications for your pain, walking aids to keep you from placing too much weight on the fractured bones, and possibly physical therapy. Multiple surgeries may be called for, including ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation), skeletal traction, and external fixation.
Compensation for Broken Pelvis
Once you establish that the automobile crash was the other driver’s fault, your case will likely be mostly about damages; that is – what amount of compensation is necessary to make you whole for your financial losses and physical harms? Cases involving pelvic fractures most commonly allow the victim to recover the cost of medical expenses. You will also certainly be entitled to compensation for physical pain and mental suffering. Depending upon your employment situation, you may also be entitled to lost wages – both in the past and potentially in the future. Additionally, you may be entitled to separate compensation for permanent injury and permanent scarring if you need surgery. Finally, if your injuries were the result of willful and wanton negligence, such as a drunk driver, you will also be allowed to ask the jury for punitive damages. These are damages designed merely to punish the defendant.
Free Consultation to Discuss Your Pelvic Fracture Case
Pelvic fractures can sometimes be life-changing, particularly if the fracture requires extensive surgery. Even if you make a quick recovery, we will likely still be able to help make sure the insurance companies treat you fairly.The North Carolina personal injury lawyers of Maginnis Howard regularly help folks who have suffered significant, life-changing injuries due to other people’s negligence. This includes those injured in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents.
You may reach us at one of our three conveniently located offices in Charlotte, Fayetteville, or Raleigh. Because a broken pelvis often leaves you unable to walk, we will travel to meet you if needed. Ultimately, if you ask us to help on your case, we will do so on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not owe attorneys’ fees until we recover a settlement or verdict for you. We also advance all litigation costs in pelvic fracture cases, meaning that you do not need to pay for expert witness fees and the like.
