Of the many different types of bone fractures that happen in Spokane car accidents, one of the most painful and difficult to recover from is a rib fracture. Rib fractures are a common injury sustained in car accidents. In Spokane, where the population continues to grow and the number of vehicles on the road increases, rib fractures from car accidents are becoming more frequent. A rib fracture occurs when one or more of the bones that make up the rib cage are broken, and can range from minor hairline cracks to more severe breaks that require surgery.
Rib fractures are not only painful, but they can also cause a host of other complications that will impact your health and well-being going forward. That’s why it’s important to seek medical attention immediately and make a plan for recovering from the damage.
CCD Law Can Help Spokane Car Accident Victims
Being in a car accident is difficult enough on its own, but when you suffer from rib or any other bone fractures, it can make it even more difficult. Facing medical bills and ongoing treatment will have a serious impact on your quality of life. However, you won’t have to face this challenge alone.
At CCD Law, our team of experienced Spokane car accident lawyers can guide you through the legal process and support you every step of the way. Since 1948, we have helped clients get the compensation they deserve and can help you do the same. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how we can help you.
What Causes Car Accidents in Spokane?
Spokane is one of the most populous cities in the Pacific Northwest, and as such sees its fair share of car accidents from year to year. In that respect, it’s not that much different from any other city, as population and other factors can frequently lead to car accidents. Still, there are some unique characteristics that more commonly result in car accidents in Spokane, such as:
- Distracted driving – One of the significant reasons behind car accidents in Spokane, as in many other areas, is distracted driving. Distractions can include using a cell phone while driving, texting, eating, drinking, or adjusting the radio.
- Speeding – An obvious cause of Spokane car accidents is driving at a high speed. It can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, reduce reaction time, and increase the severity of injuries in the event of an accident.
- Driving under the influence – Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a significant cause of car accidents in Spokane. It impairs the driver’s judgment, vision, and reaction time, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
- Reckless driving – Reckless driving, including driving aggressively or tailgating, is a common cause of car accidents. It can result in sudden lane changes, failure to yield the right of way, and collisions.
- Poor road conditions – Poor road conditions are a common cause of car accidents in Spokane and can result from a variety of factors, including potholes, uneven pavement, and inadequate lighting. The region’s cold and snowy winters can exacerbate these issues, causing roads to become more difficult to navigate and increasing the risk of accidents.
- Poor weather conditions – Spokane’s weather can be a major factor in car accidents. The region experiences a range of weather conditions throughout the year, including snow, ice, thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and fog. In the winter months, snow and ice can create slippery roads, while thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in the summer can cause flooding and create dangerous driving conditions. Fog can reduce visibility, especially on highways and other high-speed roads.
Unfortunately, it’s virtually impossible to avoid a car accident in Spokane because of the above factors. Worse yet, a car accident, even if it’s minor, can lead to serious injuries like broken ribs.
Broken Ribs in Spokane Car Accidents
Like many injuries, broken ribs are common across the many different types of car accidents that can occur in Spokane. Moreso than perhaps any other area on the body, your midsection is extremely vulnerable to injury in a car accident because of the impact. The most common cause of broken ribs in a car accident is blunt force trauma to this area of the body. This can happen in a variety of different scenarios, such as:
- Frontal impact – In a head-on collision, your chest can be forcefully thrust forward, causing you to hit the steering wheel or dashboard and resulting in broken ribs.
- Side-impact – Your chest can also be forcefully compressed in a T-bone collision or side-impact, causing broken ribs.
- Rear-end collision – In a rear-end collision, your chest can be compressed between the seat and the steering wheel, causing broken ribs.
- Seatbelt injuries – While seatbelts are essential for preventing more severe injuries, they can also cause injuries such as broken ribs if they are not positioned correctly or if the force of the impact is particularly strong.
- Airbag injuries – Airbags are designed to reduce the severity of injuries in car accidents, but they can also cause broken ribs, particularly if they deploy with great force.
Types of Broken Rib Injuries
Not every broken rib injury is the same. In fact, you can suffer a variety of different breaks and fractures of your ribs in a car accident. Here is a look at some of the most typical:
- Simple fracture – This is the most common type of rib fracture and occurs when the rib bone is broken but remains in place.
- Displaced fracture – This type of fracture occurs when the rib bone breaks and moves out of its normal position. A displaced fracture can cause damage to internal organs and can be more painful than a simple fracture.
- Multiple rib fractures – In some cases, more than one rib can be broken in a car accident. This can make it difficult to breathe and can cause significant pain.
- Flail chest – A flail chest occurs when several adjacent ribs are broken in two or more places, causing a section of the ribcage to become detached from the rest of the chest wall. This can cause a paradoxical movement of the chest, making it difficult to breathe and potentially leading to respiratory failure.
- Puncture injuries – In some cases, a broken rib can puncture a lung, causing a collapsed lung or bleeding in the chest cavity.
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, it’s likely going to be difficult to determine how severe your rib injury is. That’s why it’s extremely important to get medical attention right away. Broken ribs make it extremely difficult to breathe, and medical attention could be critical if you have a puncture injury or are bleeding internally from the rib fracture.
What Damages Are Available In a Spokane Car Accident Claim?
A major part of the recovery process after being in a Spokane car accident that’s left you with broken ribs is to file a claim for damages. Washington law provides you or any other car accident victim with the ability to file a claim against the driver who was at fault for the accident that caused your injuries. While there’s no legal requirement that says you need a lawyer to do this, working with our experienced team can ensure that your claim is as strong as possible.
The types of damages that may be available in your car accident claim will vary depending on the:
- Circumstances of the accident
- Severity of the injuries
Generally speaking, a successful claim will be able to recover the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Remember, every car accident claim is different, and the damages that may be available in your case will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of your accident. To get a better idea of your potential damages and to make sure that your rights are protected, it is important to consult with our team of experienced car accident lawyers. We can advise you on your legal options and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact CCD Law For a Free Consultation
If you’ve suffered broken ribs in a Spokane car accident, one of the last things you want to think about is dealing with an insurance company. By working with our team of experienced Spokane car accident lawyers, we can take that burden from you.
At CCD Law, we’ll handle all the responsibilities related to your car accident claim and let you focus on your recovery. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, contact us today.
