Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont helps anyone that suffers broken bones or other traumatic injuries in a car accident. Most people understand that a broken arm is something that can happen to them in one of these accidents, but they might be surprised to learn how extensive these types of injuries can be. If this has happened to you, you should think about your legal options. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
Why Should You Get a Lawyer?
You don’t have to get a lawyer when you’re hurt in a car accident, especially if your injuries are relatively minor. But if you go through a broken arm or similar type injuries, the challenges you’re going through aren’t just physical. You’re likely facing medical bills and other losses, which makes the legal process an important tool for getting better.
That alone is reason enough to get a lawyer, and our team can help. We’ll:
- Explain your options
- Help you gather medical records and other evidence
- Investigate the accident and find out who is at-fault
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Take your case to trial, if needed
Our lawyers are here to make things easier for you and your family. We handle the claims process so you can focus on getting better.
What Damages Can You Get in a Claim?
When you go through a broken arm or any other injury in a car accident, you have certain legal options if the accident happened because of someone else’s negligence. This is your main legal protection against negligence, but in real terms, it gives you options to recover “damages” in an injury claim.
Typically, you do this either by filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, but in accidents where you have a broken arm or something similar, these damages are going to be very important. While every claim is different, you can potentially recover things like:
- Medical expenses – These damages are for all costs tied to your broken arm, like hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any future rehab needs.
- Lost income – If your broken arm keeps you from working, you can potentially recover costs for any wages you’ve lost and any potential future earnings you might miss out on due to the injury.
- Pain and suffering – Another important area of damages is for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and your broken arm, including anxiety, stress or PTSD.
- Loss of quality of life – If your injury limits your ability to enjoy life as you did before, you can recover damages for any impact on personal relationships.
Obviously, your damages are going to be specific to your accident. That said, it’s also up to you to actually prove your case by showing your damages and losses. Also, you have to file within two years of the date of the accident. This is California’s “statute of limitations” for injury claims.
Who Pays For Your Damages After a Broken Arm?
Virtually every car accident in Fremont has some level of injury. But, when injuries are as serious as broken arms, there’s higher stakes when it comes to the actual legal process. The starting point, though, is still the same: figuring out liability. Liability is the legal responsibility for paying for damages from an accident. In a car accident, this means showing negligence, or the:
- Failure of somebody to act in a way that keeps you and others safe, thus causing the car accident and your injuries.
Again, actual liability is going to depend on who or what caused the accident itself. However, it generally falls on any of the following in most car accidents:
- Other drivers
- Pedestrians
- Mechanics or repair shops
- Car or part manufacturers
- Local or state government agencies
For you, the victim, this gives you the people you’ll file your claim against. But more importantly, it tells you who’s responsible for paying for your damages. And remember, a broken arm can have long-lasting changes for you.
Why is a Broken Arm Such a Difficult Injury After a Fremont Car Accident?
Referring to a “broken arm” after a car accident in Fremont is an oversimplification. In reality, this injury can involve various types of fractures and complications. Because broken arms can happen in almost any accident, it’s essential to know what you might face. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several types of broken arms:
- Compound fracture – This is when the bone pierces through the skin, common in high-impact crashes where the arm is crushed.
- Closed fracture – Sometimes, the bone breaks, but doesn’t break the skin, often caused by striking or twisting in a car accident.
- Displaced fracture – This is where the bone breaks and shifts out of alignment, typically from direct impact in a collision.
- Greenstick fracture – As the name suggests, this is where the bone bends and cracks without fully breaking, more common in children during accidents.
- Comminuted fracture – This is where the bone shatters into three or more pieces, usually from high-speed or high-impact collisions.
- Buckle fracture – Also known as a “torus” fracture, this is where the bone compresses and buckles without breaking, often seen with compressive forces during an accident.
Each type of fracture can bring short and long-term challenges. Simple tasks become difficult, and some fractures can lead to nerve or blood vessel damage, complicating your recovery. Other possible issues include:
- Healing problems that may require surgery.
- Misalignment of the bones, affecting arm function.
- Nerve or blood vessel damage, causing pain or circulation issues.
- Infection if the bone pierces the skin.
- Limited movement and ongoing pain post-healing.
- Chronic pain and emotional impact, especially if the injury affects your work or hobbies.
All of this is a fairly general overview of how a broken arm can both happen to you in a car accident, and what it means. As you probably know, every person reacts to these injuries differently. This means there’s a different healing process for you than there might be for others. But there’s also ways that you can strengthen your particular claim.
How Can You Strengthen Your Claim After a Broken Arm Injury?
One of the most difficult things about any car accident is responding in the right way at the scene. It’s a confusing, painful time–especially if you have a broken arm. But still, you have a legal responsibility for gathering the information and evidence you’ll need to start your claim. And to put together the strongest claim you can, you’ll need to make sure you do the following:
- Call 911 – Check if anyone is hurt and call 911 right away. Tell them about your broken arm so they can send help quickly. Also tell the police about the accident and make sure they know your arm is broken.
- Move to safety – If you can, move your car to a safe spot on the side of the road. If your broken arm makes this hard, ask someone for help.
- Exchange information – Swap contact and insurance information with the other drivers. If your arm hurts too much, get someone else to help you do this.
- Document the scene – Use your phone to take pictures of the accident scene and your injury, if you’re able to. These photos will be important later.
- See a specialist – Get medical attention as soon as possible. A doctor needs to check your broken arm, and you might need to see specialists to help it heal properly.
- Keep everything – Start an insurance claim and include all details about your broken arm. Keep all paperwork, pictures, and evidence related to the accident, especially anything about your broken arm.
It’s important to stay calm and follow these steps. With a broken arm, you might be in a lot of pain, but taking these actions can help protect your rights. Insurance companies might try to downplay your injury, so having everything documented will help make sure your claim is treated fairly.
Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont After a Car Accident Leaves You With a Broken Arm
When you have a broken arm or similar injury in a Fremont car accident, your main focus should be on your health and physical recovery. At Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont, we take pride in how we support our clients. Our experienced team is here to guide you through your recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation to get the process started.