When most people imagine what it must be like to suffer a broken bone, they picture someone writhing on the ground while clutching a severely-disfigured arm or leg. While this is certainly one possibility, not all bone fractures are so readily apparent. In fact, in many cases, individuals will go for days or weeks before starting to wonder if they may have suffered a broken bone.
If you have been experiencing a constant dull pain since being involved in a car accident, or if you have started to notice pain that gets worse with movement, this could be symptomatic of a few different types of injuries. While you may have a sprain or strain, you could also have a broken bone. All types of bone fractures can cause pain; and, while fractures will often produce other symptoms as well, it is entirely possible for pain to be the only outward symptom of a broken bone.
Broken Bones are Common Injuries in Vehicle Collisions
The human body has more than 200 individual bones. From large bones such as your femurs and clavicles (collar bones) to the 27 small bones in each of your hands, all of these bones are susceptible to breaking in an auto accident. While our bones are strong enough to withstand the stresses of routine daily activities, they simply are not designed to withstand the extreme forces involved in a vehicle collision. Attempting to brace yourself against the dashboard or steering wheel, being impacted by a door in a T-bone accident, and being struck by flying debris are just a few of the ways that drivers and passengers can suffer broken bones in the event of a crash.
When is Pain Symptomatic of a Broken Bone?
Since our bones are connected with ligaments and tendons that are equally susceptible to being damaged in an accident, it is not always easy to tell if pain is symptomatic of a broken bone or another type of traumatic injury. Typically, the pain from a non-penetrating bone fracture will be a deep dull or aching pain that gets sharper with movement or when the bone is place under strain, but this can be symptomatic of soft tissue damage and other internal injuries as well.
Orthopedic physicians typically use x-rays to determine if pain is the result of a bone fracture. If you are experiencing pain after a car accident, you should see a doctor and inquire about an x-ray as soon as possible. While some bone fractures will gradually heal on their own, some require surgery; and, if your bone heals improperly, your pain could last for the rest of your life.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with a Florida Auto Accident Attorney
In addition to seeing a doctor, if you have been injured in an auto accident, it is also important to speak with an attorney about protecting your legal rights. At Searcy Denney, we represent auto accident victims throughout Florida; and, if you are entitled to financial compensation for a broken bone, we can help you win the compensation you deserve. To learn more in a free, no-obligation consultation, call us at (800) 780-8607 or request an appointment online today.
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