Broken bones are among the most common injuries in pedestrian accidents, occurring when the human body absorbs the massive force of a vehicle impact. While some fractures heal completely with proper treatment, many pedestrian accident fractures cause lasting complications that affect mobility, function, and quality of life for years or permanently.
Common Fracture Types in Pedestrian Collisions
The pattern of fractures in pedestrian accidents reflects how vehicles strike the body. Lower extremity fractures—legs, knees, ankles, and feet—are most common as pedestrians are typically struck at bumper height. The pedestrian is then often thrown onto the hood, causing upper body fractures to arms, wrists, shoulders, and ribs.
Specific fracture types include compound (open) fractures where bone breaks through skin, creating infection risk; comminuted fractures with bone shattered into multiple pieces; intra-articular fractures extending into joints, increasing arthritis risk; and growth plate fractures in children that can affect bone development.
Severe Fracture Complications
Pedestrian accident fractures often involve complications that extend treatment and recovery. Compartment syndrome occurs when pressure builds in muscle compartments, potentially causing permanent tissue damage without emergency surgery. Fat embolism can develop when bone marrow enters the bloodstream.
Non-union (failure to heal) and malunion (improper healing) may require additional surgeries. Hardware failure, infection, and chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) are other serious complications. Fractures near joints frequently lead to post-traumatic arthritis that develops over time.
Treatment and Recovery
Pedestrian accident fractures often require surgical intervention—open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using plates, screws, and rods to stabilize bones. Severe fractures may require external fixators, bone grafting, or multiple staged surgeries. Some crushing injuries necessitate amputation.
Recovery typically involves extended periods of non-weight-bearing status, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. Even with optimal treatment, many patients never regain full function. Range of motion limitations, chronic pain, and visible deformities may persist permanently.
Impact on Daily Life and Work
Fracture injuries significantly affect victims' ability to work and perform daily activities. Weight-bearing restrictions prevent return to physical jobs for months. Even after healing, limitations may prevent return to previous occupations entirely.
Daily activities like driving, climbing stairs, household chores, and recreation may be permanently impaired. The psychological impact of mobility limitations, chronic pain, and visible scarring compounds physical damages.
Damages in Fracture Injury Cases
Compensation for fracture injuries includes all medical expenses for emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, hardware, and rehabilitation. Future medical costs for hardware removal, treatment of complications, and likely joint replacement surgeries must be projected.
Lost wages during recovery and diminished earning capacity if permanent limitations prevent return to previous work warrant substantial compensation. Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement from scarring contribute significant damages in serious fracture cases.
Proving Long-Term Impact
Medical records documenting the severity of fractures, surgical interventions, and ongoing symptoms establish the foundation of damages claims. Expert testimony from orthopedic surgeons regarding permanent impairment and likely future complications strengthens valuations.
Functional capacity evaluations demonstrate specific limitations. Comparison of pre-accident and post-accident activities illustrates quality of life impacts that justify substantial non-economic damages.
If you suffered fractures in a pedestrian accident, maintain thorough documentation of treatment and limitations and consult with an attorney to ensure full compensation for current and future damages.