Broken bones are among the most common injuries suffered by car accident victims. Not only are these injuries painful, but they can also require extensive medical treatment and impact your ability to work. Because of that, it’s crucial that you understand your legal rights and how you can seek compensation for injuries caused by car accidents.
Common Types of Fractures in Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause various kinds of fractures, each with its own set of complications and necessary treatments. Knowing what type of fracture you’re suffering from is a key step in seeking compensation, as it dictates the medical care (and bills) you receive. The most common types of fractures are:
- Simple Fractures are clean breaks that don’t pierce the skin or splinter.
- Compound Fractures are breaks that pierce the skin, increasing the risk of infection.
- Hairline Fractures are small cracks in the bone that you may not immediately notice but could cause pain over time.
- Comminuted Fractures are breaks that result in the bone-shattering into more than two pieces.
- Displaced Fractures are breaks that result in part of the bone shifting out of alignment.
Your Legal Rights After a Car Accident
After a car accident in Arizona, you can seek compensation for your fractured bones in two main ways:
- Auto Insurance Claims: The first option is typically to file an auto insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s policy to seek compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. As an at-fault auto insurance state, Arizona mandates that all drivers have at least the following amounts of liability coverage:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $15,000 per accident for property damage
- Personal Injury Lawsuits: The second option is to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. This is typically done if the driver’s insurance doesn’t cover all of your expenses or you’re also seeking compensation for pain and suffering.
It’s important to remember that you have two years from the accident to file your insurance claim or injury lawsuit.
Proving Liability in a Car Accident Case
To prove the other driver’s liability for your broken bones, you’ll need robust evidence, such as:
- Traffic Camera Footage: If the accident occurred near an intersection, it may have been caught on a traffic camera.
- Vehicle Data: If you or the other driver has a newer vehicle, it may have an onboard computer that records data, such as the speed at which the vehicle was traveling when the crash occurred.
- Accident Scene Photos: Photos from the accident scene showing the damaged vehicles, skid marks, and relevant traffic signs can play a role in determining fault.
- Witness Statements: Eyewitnesses can often provide a third-party account of the crash.
- Expert Testimony: In some cases, your lawyer may hire a medical professional or crash reconstruction specialist to testify.
- Medical Records: Your medical records play a vital role in establishing the severity of your injuries.
Steps to Take After Suffering a Fracture in a Car Accident
To protect your health and your right to seek compensation, you should take these steps after a car accident:
- Seek ongoing medical treatment and follow up with all of your doctor’s appointments.
- Keep all medical bills you receive so you can seek compensation for them.
- Document the accident by writing down everything you remember and taking photographs of your injuries.
- Avoid providing a recorded statement to insurance companies. They’ll try to reduce your compensation under Arizona’s pure comparative negligence rule.
Contact Our Arizona Car Accident Lawyers
If you suffered a broken or fractured bone in an Arizona car accident, contact Gill Law Firm for a free consultation with a skilled lawyer. Our firm offers unparalleled legal service and delivers tangible results for clients, and we’re ready to put our experience to work, helping you seek the compensation you deserve.