Mark Casto | August 31, 2026 | Personal Injury Blog Columbus
Broken bones are common injuries that can happen in car accidents, falls, workplace incidents, sports accidents, and many other situations. While some fractures heal relatively quickly with a cast or brace, others require surgery, rehabilitation, and months of recovery.
The type and severity of a fracture can affect your medical treatment, recovery time, and the impact the injury has on your daily life. If another person’s negligence caused your broken bone, you may also have the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.
What Is a Bone Fracture?
A bone fracture occurs when a bone cracks or breaks because it cannot withstand the force placed on it. Fractures can range from small cracks to severe injuries in which the bone breaks into several pieces or pierces the skin.
Symptoms of a fracture may include pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, difficulty moving the affected area, or an obvious deformity. However, not every fracture is immediately apparent. Medical imaging, such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI, may be necessary to identify the injury and determine its severity.
What Are the Most Common Types of Bone Fractures?
Doctors classify fractures based on how the bone breaks and the characteristics of the injury.
Some of the most common types include:
- Closed fracture: The bone breaks without piercing the skin.
- Open or compound fracture: The broken bone breaks through the skin or creates an open wound. These injuries can carry a greater risk of infection.
- Complete fracture: The bone breaks completely into two or more pieces.
- Incomplete fracture: The bone cracks but does not break completely apart.
- Comminuted fracture: The bone breaks or splinters into multiple pieces. Surgery may be necessary to repair severe comminuted fractures.
- Transverse fracture: The break forms a relatively straight line across the bone.
- Oblique fracture: The fracture occurs at an angle across the bone.
- Spiral fracture: The fracture wraps around the bone and is often caused by a twisting force.
- Greenstick fracture: The bone bends and cracks without completely breaking. This type of fracture is more common in children because their bones are more flexible.
- Compression fracture: The bone collapses or becomes compressed. Compression fractures frequently affect the vertebrae in the spine.
- Stress fracture: A small crack develops from repeated force or overuse rather than a single traumatic event.
- Avulsion fracture: A tendon or ligament pulls away from the bone and takes a small piece of bone with it.
A person can sometimes suffer multiple types of fractures in the same accident.
What Accidents Can Cause Broken Bones?
Almost any incident involving significant force can result in a fracture.
In personal injury cases, broken bones commonly occur because of:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Falls from heights
- Construction and workplace accidents
- Defective products
- Sports and recreational accidents
- Acts of violence
The location of the fracture often depends on how the accident occurred. For example, someone may fracture an arm or wrist while attempting to brace themselves during a fall. A motor vehicle accident could cause fractures to the ribs, legs, pelvis, facial bones, or other parts of the body.
How Are Bone Fractures Treated?
Treatment depends on the location and severity of the fracture. Minor fractures may be treated by immobilizing the injured area with a cast, brace, or splint so the bone can heal properly.
More complicated fractures may require surgery. Doctors may use plates, screws, rods, or pins to stabilize the bone. Open fractures may also require treatment to prevent infection.
Physical therapy can be an important part of recovery, particularly after a severe fracture or surgery. Some people experience lasting complications, including chronic pain, reduced mobility, nerve damage, weakness, or arthritis.
What Compensation Can I Recover for a Broken Bone?
If another person caused the accident that resulted in your fracture, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim.
Depending on the circumstances, damages may include compensation for:
- Medical bills and future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability or permanent impairment
- Loss of quality of life
The value of a broken bone claim depends on factors such as the severity of the fracture, the treatment required, your recovery time, whether you have lasting limitations, and the available insurance coverage.
Contact a Columbus Personal Injury Lawyer at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm for a Free Consultation
A broken bone can lead to substantial medical expenses, time away from work, and months of pain and rehabilitation. Severe fractures can have effects that continue long after the bone itself has healed.
If someone else’s negligence caused your fracture, contact a Columbus personal injury lawyer at the Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm for a free consultation.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm
233 12th St #808, Columbus, GA 31901
(706) 940-4030
