Fractures of the pelvis are relatively rare, as far as broken bones go. When they do happen, however, it's usually because of a high-impact car crash. If a pelvic bone is broken in a collision, it can be a very serious injury requiring surgery and causing temporary disability. The driver who caused the crash should be held accountable for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Learn more about these rare but serious injuries here.
How Car Crashes Can Cause Pelvic Fractures
While only about three percent of all adult bone fractures each year involve the pelvis, nearly 800,000 people a year suffer catastrophic pelvic fractures in motor vehicle collisions. The most common causes for these injuries are:
- Seat belts. Although seat belts are essential for safety, restraint, and protection in a car crash, the same restraint that may save your life can also cause severe pelvic damage. Belts are meant to keep you in your seat and prevent the force of an impact from throwing you forward. However, as the belt restrains you from being thrown, it also applies a great deal of force to your pelvic region, causing stress fractures and possible breakage.
- Front-impact collisions. Head-on collisions are noteworthy for causing a variety of brutal injuries, including pelvic fractures in front-seat occupants. Airbag deployment, steering wheel and dashboard collapse, and seat belt engagement all create extreme force on the pelvic region, often causing multiple fractures.
When the crash that caused your pelvic injuries was not your fault, you should not have to pay the cost. Our injury lawyers can help you fight for the compensation you deserve from the at-fault driver.
Expense of Treating a Pelvic Fracture
Clearly, a doctor can't just set a pelvic bone in a cast so it can heal. Treating an unstable pelvic fracture—commonly caused by car accidents—involves complicated surgery and a long recovery. Your fractured pelvis might require:
- External fixation. In this procedure, an external frame is built around your body and is attached to your pelvis with screws and pins. This structure holds the broken bones in place so that they can heal. During the healing process, you will be viturally immobile and likely bedridden.
- Skeletal traction. This treatment involves implanting metal pins into your thigh and shin bones and connecting them to a pulley system. The pulley is adjusted to hold the broken pelvic bones in place while they knit back together. This process requires long-term hospitalization.
- Internal fixation. During this type of surgery, the displaced pelvic bone fragments are repositioned into the correct alignment. The fragments are then held together with screws or metal plates that are attached to the outer surface of the bone.
The type of surgery you need to repair your fractured pelvic bones will depend on your specific injury. An orthopedic surgeon will assess your fracture and determine the best course of action. Regardless of the type of surgical repair you require, your healing journey will not be easy. You might require time in a rehabilitation facility or high-level nursing facility while you are bedridden. The cost of your surgery and recovery could total hundreds of thousands of dollars. Our team of injury lawyers will make sure you get adequate compensation to cover your medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and earning capacity, and damages to compensate you for your pain and suffering.
How Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas Can Help
Even if you’re a safe, defensive driver and take precautions to try to avoid accidents, other drivers can still cause you to suffer. When this happens, you may wind up spending years trying to recover physically, emotionally, and financially. Let us help you ease this pain by getting you the justice and compensation you deserve for your injuries. Call today at 540-341-0007 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation and review of your case and claim. See how we can help you recover from a painful and deblitating pelvic fracture. We’re waiting to help you!
