Broken bone injuries can be extremely painful and require surgery, hospitalizations, and ongoing rehabilitation. Car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and assault can cause broken bone injuries. Understanding the causes and types of broken bone injuries can help victims as they pursue compensation from the negligent party who caused their injuries.
If you’ve suffered a broken bone injury due to another’s negligence in Hot Springs or the surrounding areas, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Rochelle McCullough LLP are here to help. We can guide you through Arkansas’s legal process, ensuring you understand your rights and helping you pursue the maximum compensation for your case.
Common Causes of Bone Fractures
Accidents can cause a wide range of broken bones, and they can happen almost anywhere, from the parking lots of Hot Springs National Park to workplaces along Central Avenue. Falls are responsible for 95% of hip fractures, which can lead to severe mobility challenges, especially among older individuals. By understanding the type of accident that caused their injury, victims can better understand their legal options for pursuing compensation.
Car, truck, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents are another common cause of broken bones, particularly on busy routes like US Highway 70 and US Highway 270. The force of the collision can cause a person’s head to collide with the dashboard, steering wheel, or airbags, resulting in facial fractures. When vehicles collide with pedestrians and bicyclists, they can suffer leg, arm, rib, and hip fractures. Broken ankles and wrists are also common in car accidents.
Workplace accidents involving heavy machinery or equipment can cause broken bones. Workers who become trapped or crushed by machinery can suffer bone fractures. Finally, dangerous playground equipment can result in broken bone injuries. Property owners are responsible for ensuring their premises are reasonably safe for their guests and customers under Arkansas premises liability law. Hazardous conditions can lead to adults or children tripping and falling, breaking their bones.
Types of Bone Fractures
There are several different classifications of bone fractures. Some fractures involve small cracks, while others are more extensive. Stable fractures are relatively clean, and the broken ends line up together. Oblique fractures involve a break at an angle, while transverse fractures involve a horizontal fracture line.
Open compound fractures are among the most dangerous because the bone breaks the skin and may be visibly sticking out, leaving the victim at risk of infection. In comminuted fractures, the bone has been shattered and broken into multiple pieces, which usually requires surgery. Some of the most commonly broken bones include the rest, forearm, collarbone, ankle, and hip.
Proving Negligence in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If another person has caused the accident that resulted in your bone fracture, you can pursue a personal injury claim for compensation. Under Arkansas’s modified comparative fault system, you can recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% responsible for the accident. To recover compensation, you will need to prove that the defendant is liable for your injuries. Individuals and businesses are liable when negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions cause another person’s injury.
For example, suppose a car accident caused your ankle fracture. In that case, you would have the right to pursue compensation from the negligent driver who caused the accident. You will need to prove that the driver failed to act reasonably to prevent injuries to others. Drunk driving, speeding, and violating Arkansas traffic laws are all examples of negligence.
Pursuing Compensation Through a Premises Liability Lawsuit
In other cases, victims suffer broken bones because of slip and fall or trip and fall accidents. If you become injured on another person’s property, you may have the right to hold the property owner accountable for your injuries. Under Arkansas premises liability law, when property owners create or fail to address dangerous conditions on their property, they can be held liable for injuries resulting from those dangerous conditions.
Suppose you slipped and fell on a wet restaurant, bathroom, or store floor. If the owner failed to mark the area as dangerous or clean it up quickly, they’re likely liable for your resulting bone fracture. Similarly, if a business owner fails to keep their staircase, sidewalk, or parking lot free from dangerous conditions and debris, they can be held liable for resulting injuries.
Bone Fractures Caused By Work-Related Injuries
Being struck by a falling object or crushed by heavy machinery while at work can cause devastating or even fatal injuries. Arkansas law requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect employees who suffer workplace injuries. However, in some cases, you may be able to pursue additional compensation through a third-party liability claim.
If you’ve experienced a broken bone injury while at work in Hot Springs, speaking to a personal injury attorney before filing a workers’ compensation claim can help you understand all your legal options. In some cases, pursuing a lawsuit against a third party, such as equipment manufacturers or contractors, could allow you to obtain more compensation for your injuries.
Broken Bones Caused By Assaults
Assaulting another person is considered a crime in Arkansas. In addition to facing criminal penalties, such as jail time, individuals who assault other people can also be held accountable through the civil court system. If you have suffered a broken bone injury because of an assault, you may be able to recover compensation from the assailant or from the person who owned the property where the assault occurred through premises liability laws.
Contact a Broken Bone Injury Attorney in Hot Springs
Broken bones can cause significant physical pain, as well as emotional suffering and financial challenges. If you have suffered a broken bone injury because of an accident or incident that wasn’t your fault, you’ll benefit from contacting an experienced attorney. Remember that Arkansas has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, so don’t delay in seeking legal help. Rochelle McCullough LLP has a proven track record of recovering the most compensation possible for our clients throughout Central Arkansas. We will work diligently to pursue the total compensation you need and deserve, providing you with the support and guidance you need during this difficult time.
We extend our personal injury legal services to help clients throughout Texas, including Dallas, & Fort Worth, as well as in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Committed to advocating for your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.