subject: How Car Accidents Can Fracture A Pelvis [print this page] The pelvis must be directly impacted by a strong force in order to fracture. Car accidents are a leading cause of this injury, because there is such a strong force created when two cars collide at high speeds. Pelvis injuries can be very painful, as are the medical bills that often accompany them. The pelvis is crucial in daily activities such as walking, running and biking, but when it is fractured, mobility is severely limited. This can dramatically change one's lifestyle, and that must be taken into accounr when dealing with the insurance company of the at-fault driver.
Made up of three bones connected at the base of the spine by connective tissue, the pelvis connects the lower body to the legs. Injuries to the pelvis can be caused by a variety of accidents, including something as simple as slipping and falling. In forceful impacts such as a car accident, the pelvis can fracture badly, which could potentially be life threatening. The pelvic ring houses many digestive and reproductive organs, which can be badly damaged when the bone is fractured. Other potential life threatening effects include severe bleeding and nerve damage. Along with the force of the impact, the direction of the accident can help determine the nature and extent of the injury.
Severely fracturing the pelvis is an extremely painful experience. Some of the first signs that indicate a fracture are bruising and swelling in the pelvic region. Generally, a fractured pelvis will be accompanied with trauma to the front of the body, including the chest and abdomen. It is of the utmost importance that you see a doctor immediately to treat this injury, especially because internal and external bleeding may lead to shock. In order to diagnose the injury, doctors will use an X-ray and a CT scan. If the fracture turns out to be stable, then surgery may not be required. To take weight off of their legs, the patient will be given crutches for around three months, or however long it takes to heal. The vast majority of pelvic fractures that result from car accidents, however, will require some form of surgery. An external fixator is usually screwed into the pelvis bones, connecting the fracture and allowing it to mend. This injury will usually heal without causing life-long problems, but most people walk with a limp for a while after a surgery of this magnitude.
If you have injured your pelvis in a car crash that was caused by someone else's negligence, it is very important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Most injury attorneys give free initial consultations, which allow you to find out whether or not you have a case without paying a dime.
