People frequently notice broken bones right after crashes occur. They may not be able to put their weight on a broken leg or move a broken arm without extreme discomfort. Unlike injuries often associated with catastrophic losses, like spinal cord injuries, broken bones typically respond well to modern medical treatment.
People dealing with the aftermath of a car crash may feel grateful to have a fracture and no other major injuries. What they may fail to recognize is that a fracture can be a very expensive injury. In some cases, the costs generated by a broken bone could add up to more than the insurance coverage provided by the driver at fault for the crash.
What makes broken bones so expensive?
The need for rest during recovery
Even the simplest fracture may require between six and eight weeks of stabilization and reduced use for the body part to heal. For those in demanding professions such as serving or industrial work, a broken bone might require an extended leave of absence from their job.
Not only do they need to take at least six weeks away from work while the bone initially knits, but they may need several more weeks to regain their strength and range of motion through physical therapy after the doctor takes the cast off of the broken limb. All those lost wages can potentially lead to major financial setbacks for the injured person.
The cost of medical care
Basic fracture care is sometimes relatively affordable. The patient may require an X-ray followed by a bone setting and cast placement. Later, they require cast removal and physical therapy. The total costs for such care might be a few thousand dollars.
Unfortunately, some fractures are far worse than others. Open fractures can cause trauma to nearby tissue. Spiral fractures may require reinforcement for the bone to heal. Both of these more severe types of breaks typically make surgery necessary and therefore cost substantially more than a simple fracture.
The risk of lingering symptoms
The older someone is, the more severe the break is and the more physical their job is, the greater the possibility that they may experience long-term symptoms after a fracture. People sometimes have lingering pain or reduced strength long after the fracture heals.
Those symptoms can affect their earning potential or might even put their job at risk in some cases. Especially in scenarios where the bone does not heal properly or the injury causes secondary conditions, the person with the broken bone might have unexpectedly high medical costs and a permanent drop in their earning potential after a crash.
Recognizing that broken bones caused by car crashes can sometimes be more expensive than people expect can help those handling a compensation claim. Instead of rushing to settle, they may need to wait to see how they heal to better ensure that they receive adequate compensation given their losses.