The body can experience significant force in a car crash, often resulting in broken bones. Pelvic fractures are one example of serious injuries that can result from the impact of a car accident in St. Louis. Severe pelvic injuries can cause significant limitations in your life, including mobility restrictions, pain, and limited participation in your usual work or activities.
At Sumner Law Group, LLC, we understand the severity of pelvic fractures and are ready to protect your rights as a crash victim. If you have suffered a pelvic fracture from a car accident in St. Louis that was someone else’s fault, do not hesitate to reach out to our car accident lawyers for a free consultation.
How Car Accidents Cause Pelvic Fractures
High-impact trauma from car accidents is a leading cause of pelvic fractures. During a collision, the forces exerted on the body can be significant, especially in high-speed crashes and collisions involving large trucks. The sudden deceleration or direct trauma to the pelvic region can result in fractures to the pelvic bones. Many collisions happen on the highway or due to speeding drivers, increasing the risk of this type of injury.
The pelvis plays a critical role in supporting the body’s weight and protecting internal organs, making it particularly vulnerable to injuries in car accidents. Any pelvic trauma can have costly and long-term implications for the victim.
Some examples of the types of pelvic fractures that could result from a car crash include:
- Unstable pelvic fractures
- Stable pelvic fractures
- Pelvic avulsion fractures
- Pelvic ring fractures
- Iliac wing fractures
- Anterior-posterior compression fractures
Symptoms and Diagnosis of a Pelvic Fracture
If you feel pain or anything unusual following a crash, you should always seek medical treatment immediately. A medical professional can diagnose a pelvic fracture based on your symptoms, imaging tests, and other diagnostic tools.
Symptoms of a pelvic fracture can include:
- Intense pain in the pelvic region
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness
In severe cases, there may be a visible deformity or an inability to bear weight on the affected side. Diagnosis of a fractured pelvis typically involves a physical examination, imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans, and sometimes additional tests to assess associated injuries.
Prompt and accurate diagnosis of a severe pelvic fracture is essential to start appropriate treatment and prevent long-term complications. It also creates medical records you can use to prove your pelvic injuries in your car accident claim.
Can You Sue for a Pelvic Fracture After a Car Accident?
If you have sustained a pelvic fracture in a car accident due to another party’s negligence, you may be eligible to file an injury claim. Negligent actions such as reckless driving, running red lights, or distracted driving can contribute to car accidents, resulting in pelvic injuries.
By seeking legal guidance from our experienced car accident attorneys, you can explore your options for pursuing compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages related to your pelvic injury.
How Much Is a Pelvic Fracture Worth in a St. Louis Car Accident Claim?
In a St. Louis car accident claim involving a pelvic fracture, the amount of compensation can vary based on several factors. Types of compensation that may be pursued include economic damages (medical bills, lost income) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress).
The severity of the injury, its impact on your daily life, and the long-term consequences on your health and well-being are all considerations that can influence the value of a pelvic fracture claim. Consulting with our skilled car accident lawyers is critical to building a strong case and maximizing the compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Insurance companies regularly undervalue injury claims, especially those involving internal or disabling injuries like a broken pelvis. Never just accept an insurer’s assessment of the value of your case. Instead, consult with our legal team to ensure you seek the full amount you need.
Proving Liability for a St. Louis Car Accident That Caused a Pelvic Injury
Proving liability in a car accident case involving a pelvic injury requires demonstrating that the other party was at fault for the collision. That is because Missouri follows fault-based (or tort-based) auto accident laws.
Gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, photos, videos, medical records, and expert testimony can help establish liability. Our car accident attorneys can play an important role in investigating the circumstances of the accident, identifying liable parties, and working to hold them accountable for the harm they caused.
By building a compelling case, you can pursue the compensation you deserve for your pelvic fracture and related damages. We aim to resolve claims through insurance settlements whenever possible, but we prepare each case as if it were going to trial. We will be fully ready to pursue your claim in court if necessary.
Treatments and Long-Term Prognoses for Pelvic Fractures
Treatment for a pelvic fracture may involve immobilization for unstable pelvic fractures, skeletal traction, pain management, physical therapy, and, in some cases, surgical treatment to realign and stabilize the fractured bones using screws or metal plates for internal fixation. The recovery process can be long and difficult, requiring patience and adherence to healthcare providers’ recommendations.
Long-term prognoses for pelvic fractures vary depending on the severity of the injury, the effectiveness of treatment, and individual factors such as age and overall health. Some people make a full recovery, while others might experience:
- Ongoing sexual dysfunction and issues with reproductive organs
- Urinary or bowel dysfunction
- Uneven leg length issues
- Ongoing severe pain
- Need for walking aids
- Arthritis
- Nerve injuries
- Heterotopic ossification
- Susceptibility to bone-weakening diseases and blood clots
- Risks of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis
Further, the disabling effects of pelvic fractures can also lead to mental struggles. Our attorneys consider all the effects of your injury when determining how much financial relief you deserve.
How Our St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers Help People with Pelvic Fractures Seek Compensation
Our team of dedicated car accident lawyers at Sumner Law Group, LLC, is committed to assisting individuals who have suffered pelvic fractures in car accidents in St. Louis. We provide comprehensive legal guidance and advocacy through every step of the legal system and pursue fair compensation for your injuries.
Our services vary depending on the case, but we generally conduct an investigation into liability for your accident, prepare and file insurance claims, negotiate for a fair settlement, and take cases to court when insurance companies refuse to cooperate.
If you are facing the challenges of a pelvic fracture from a car accident, do not hesitate to contact us for personalized assistance tailored to your unique circumstances. Case evaluations are free, and you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact us today for your no-cost consultation.
