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When car accidents lead to femur fractures

On Behalf of | Aug 21, 2020 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

The femur bone runs from the hip to the knee, and being the strongest bone in the body, it does not break easily. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says that car collisions are the number one cause of femur fractures, followed by falls. Perhaps a serious car accident in Florida left you with a fractured femur.

Where the fracture can occur

The femur is composed of the head and neck, which attach it to the hip; the shaft, which is the midsection; and the distal end, which links it to the knee joint. Hip fractures are common among older people who have brittle bones and fall. Knee fractures and femoral shaft fractures usually arise in high-impact car crashes. Some fractures are stress fractures while others are complete breaks. If the bone is crushed, it may splinter.

The result and how it can be treated

A stress fracture may not require much in the way of treatment: simply rest from athletic activities. Other femur fractures can be treated with a cast and crutches. However, the more serious types can require the use of metal rods, plates and screws to reattach the pieces and realign the bone.

A femur fracture can also lead to life-threatening conditions like excessive blood loss and blood clots. If the femur exits the skin, there’s the chance of infection, in which case doctors will likely have the patient take an intravenous antibiotic or, upon being released from the hospital, an oral antibiotic.

Pedestrians and motorcyclists at a high risk

In high-impact crashes, it’s usually pedestrians and motorcyclists who suffer femur fractures. Drivers and passengers tend to be protected by the vehicle, which absorbs some of the shock of a collision.

How crash victims can seek compensation

You incurred a personal injury, possibly including a femur fracture, in a car crash that you did not initiate. If your insurance benefits don’t cover everything, you may be able to file a claim against the guilty driver’s auto insurance company, which can be a complex process. A lawyer may help with each step, especially negotiations.