North Carolina is a major thoroughfare for semi-truck drivers who are delivering goods along the east coast. The potential for an accident involving a semi-truck is high in North Carolina. Large commercial trucks have many names, including big rigs, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, or 18-wheelers. They are the most dangerous and heaviest vehicles that travel on North Carolina roads. Unfortunately, due to their weight and size, semi-trucks can cause devastating injuries, especially when passenger vehicles are involved. Broken bones, also known as bone fractures, are among the most common injuries caused by truck accidents.
Common Types of Bone Fractures Caused by Truck AccidentsA fair number of injuries caused by semi-truck accidents include bone fractures, some of which can result in lifelong disabilities and require complex surgery and recovery time. Many people do not have health insurance, or their insurance will not cover all of the deductions, uncovered treatments, and time off of work required to recover from serious bone fractures. The cost of your medical treatment can depend on what type of bone fracture you have sustained and where the damage happened. Truck accidents commonly cause the following types of bone fractures:
It can be challenging to know what steps you should take after being involved in a serious truck accident. The first step you should take is to pull over to a safe location, if possible, and call 911. Request that a law enforcement officer come to the scene of the truck accident and that paramedics arrive. After being involved in a truck accident, it's essential to receive medical treatment as soon as possible. Even if you do not think you have been hurt that badly, we recommend going to the emergency room or your regular medical doctor for a comprehensive exam.
The shock of the truck accident can cause your adrenaline to surge, making it difficult for you to feel the full extent of your pain. Victims often do not realize how much pain you are in two hours or even a few days after the accident. For example, you may assume that your arm is hurting because it slammed against the steering wheel or dashboard.
You may think that the pain will eventually go away, but you could have suffered a bone fracture. The only way to tell if the pain is caused by bone fracture not is to undergo an x-ray. If your doctor or the paramedics at the scene suggests that you may have a bone fracture, it is worth getting an x-ray so that you can receive the treatment you need.
Getting an x-ray will also help you prove that the truck accident caused your bone fracture. Make sure that you keep records of all of your medical expenses and treatment and that you follow through on all of your doctor's orders. Doing so will help you prove that you take your injuries seriously and help you claim compensation.
The Consequences of Bone Fracture InjuriesYour treatment plan will depend on what type of bone fracture you have. The main types of bone fractures are spiral, transverse, avulsion, impacted, compressed, and oblique. Transverse fractures are clean breaks that occur in a straight line. Typically, the treatment for these types of fractures involves a cast. Abortions occur when a tendon or ligament pulls off a piece of the bone.
Compression fractures involve flat and bones, and comminuted fractures are shattered bones. Impacted bones involve two bones that have been forced together by the pressure of the truck accident. These types of fractures often involve complex medical treatments because of the nature and extent of the damage. A patient may need to undergo multiple surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and possibly occupational therapy in serious cases. These treatments can be expensive, and one of the best ways to protect yourself is to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident AttorneyIf you and your loved one have suffered a bone fracture due to a truck accident in North Carolina, you may be entitled to compensation. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, understand how devastating truck accident injuries can be. We fight hard for victims of truck accidents to obtain the compensation they need. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.