A broken pelvis from a car accident can be a severe and even life-altering injury. Not only can a fractured or crushed pelvis be incredibly painful, but treatment options can also be quite expensive and require time off work while healing. And even after the initial healing process, a crushed pelvis could result in permanent impairment or limited mobility that can affect how you live your life and your ability to return to work.
As such, it’s crucial that Maryland car accident victims suffering from a broken pelvis file a personal injury claim to recover compensation that can help them pay for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. It’s also vital that you work with an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney to ensure you get fair compensation, as average settlements for a broken pelvis or any injury tend to be higher when you have professional legal representation.
What Causes a Crushed Pelvis or Pelvic Fractures?
The pelvis is a group of bones, including the sacrum, coccyx, pubis, ilium, and ischium, that sits at the base of the spine and resembles the shape of a butterfly. This bone structure is crucial as it helps stabilize the body and protects essential nerves, organs, and blood vessels.
Several things can cause a person to sustain a crushed or fractured pelvic, such as slips and falls, sporting activities, and bone diseases. But the most common cause is high-impact events like car accidents and motorcycle accidents.
Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Pelvis From a Car Accident
When the pelvis is crushed or fractured, it will be classified in one of two ways:
- Stable: A stable pelvis fracture typically means only one break or fracture in the pelvis, and the bones have not been displaced.
- Unstable: An unstable pelvis injury means the pelvis is crushed or multiple breaks and fractures result in displaced bones, which means the area is less stable and the structure is compromised.
The signs and symptoms of pelvis crushes and fractures can vary depending on the severity of the injury and whether it is a stable or unstable injury. But the most common signs and symptoms overall include:
- Groin, hip, or lower back pain
- Abdominal pain
- Intense or worsening pain when walking or moving the legs
- Numbness or weakness in the groin or the legs
- Difficulty urinating
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Bleeding from the vagina, urethra, or the rectum
How Is a Broken Pelvis Treated?
Before a broken pelvis can be treated, a doctor will first order imaging tests to identify the broken bones and the severity of the injury. This includes X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. Once the injury is more clearly identified, your doctor will then suggest a treatment plan.
For minor pelvis fractures, treatments might simply include rest, pain medication, and the use of walking aids until you have healed. But if the pelvis injury is more severe with multiple breaks or crushed bones, treatments will be more aggressive and can include:
- Surgery
- Pins
- Compression screws and plates
- External fixation
- Skeletal traction
The more extensive the damage, the more expensive and extensive the treatment options will be. And some people might need long-term care, including physical therapy and rehab. More severe pelvic injuries can also lead to complications such as chronic pain, impaired mobility, sexual dysfunction, and even death.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Broken Pelvis From a Car Accident?
As a broken pelvis from a car accident can result in a severe injury that could alter your life and end up costing you a lot of money, it is crucial that you receive a full and fair settlement to help you cover your losses. However, there is no guarantee of how much money you will be awarded. Settlements can vary, but the average settlement for a broken pelvis can be higher if you work with an attorney.
An attorney can guide you through the claims process and ensure all necessary information is provided to show just how much your life has been affected by the injury. And the more severe you can prove the injury is, the more money you will likely be awarded.
Factors that can play a role in the average settlement for a broken pelvis include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Loss of income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent impairment or disfigurement
- Property damage (car damage)
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
Have a Legal Question About a Personal Injury? We Have Answers.
If you sustain a broken pelvis from a car accident in Maryland, you must get in contact with a local personal injury attorney. At Zirkin and Schmerling Law, our compassionate team has experience handling a wide variety of Maryland car accident cases, including those involving crushed and fractured pelvis injuries. We are dedicated to ensuring every one of our clients gets the full and fair settlement they deserve.
Contact us or call us at 410-753-4611 to set up an appointment with one of our personal injury attorneys today.