Maison Law helps people that have been injured in Tulare car accidents. Of all the injuries you could experience, bone fractures are among the worst. But when a car accident leaves you with a broken leg, it doesn’t just hurt in the moment–it can affect how you move, work, and live your daily life. Our team will walk you through what comes next. Let’s talk about how we can help you move forward–starting with a free consultation.
Should You Get a Lawyer After a Broken Leg in a Tulare Car Accident?
Not every car accident calls for a lawyer–but when you’re dealing with something as serious as a broken leg, having the right help can make a big difference. These injuries often mean surgery, time away from work, and months of recovery. Filing an injury claim might be the only way to cover those costs and protect your future. That makes legal support and guidance extremely important, and our team can help you by:
- Gathering your medical records, accident reports, and any other details that show how the accident has affected your life.
- Looking into the details of your accident to find out who was at fault and how it could’ve been prevented.
- Guiding you through your options and taking action against the driver (or drivers) responsible.
- Staying on top of deadlines and insurance issues so you don’t have to.
You don’t have to go through this alone. And while the law doesn’t require you to hire a lawyer, working with a local team that knows Tulare and knows injury law can make this process a whole lot easier on you–and your family.
What Types of Broken Legs Can Happen in a Car Accident?
It’s not hard to see how a broken leg happens in a car accident, given the physics and other factors involved. The problem comes with the aftermath–as well as the many different types of injuries that can happen.
According to the Mayo Clinic, all three of the major bones in the leg can break with the force of impact, or when your knees are jammed into the dashboard or other parts of the car. When this happens, you could be looking at any of the following fractures:
- Open fracture – This is when the broken bone actually breaks through the skin. It’s a medical emergency and needs quick treatment to lower the risk of infection.
- Closed fracture – The bone is broken, but the skin isn’t. Even though it’s not visible from the outside, it’s still a serious injury.
- Incomplete fracture – The bone is cracked but hasn’t completely split apart. It’s more stable than a full break, but still needs medical attention.
- Complete fracture – This is when the bone breaks all the way through, either into two pieces or more.
- Displaced fracture – In this case, the broken pieces of bone don’t line up. Doctors often need to move the bones back into place, and surgery might be required.
- Greenstick fracture – These are more common with children. The bone bends and cracks, but doesn’t break all the way through–kind of like when you try to snap a fresh twig.
Again, what makes broken legs so damaging is the fact that, with most car accidents, you’ll have them on top of other injuries. All of this adds up to mounting medical bills and other losses you’ll have to contend with.
What Damages Can You Get in a Broken Leg Injury Claim After a Car Accident?
Broken legs in a car accident are incredibly painful and traumatic, but it’s vital to remember that there’s a claims process in place to help you. Usually, this involves either:
- Filing a claim with an insurance company.
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit in court.
Most cases settle out of court through insurance, but both paths aim to help you recover damages–meaning the financial and personal losses tied to your injury, like:
- Medical bills and future care – This includes all the medical costs from the accident: ER visits, hospital stays, doctor appointments, physical therapy, medications, and any ongoing treatment you might need down the road.
- Lost wages – If you had to miss work because of your injury, you can include those lost paychecks in your claim. If your injury affects your future ability to work, that can also be factored in.
- Pain and suffering – This isn’t just about physical pain. It also includes the emotional impact–stress, anxiety, discomfort, or changes to your mental health–that your injury caused.
- Loss of enjoyment or companionship – If your injuries have affected your ability to do things you used to enjoy–like hobbies, socializing, or even spending time with your family–that loss matters and can be included in your claim.
To get your damages covered, you’ll need to show who caused the crash. In legal terms, that means proving someone was negligent–basically, they didn’t act with enough care. Fault can fall on a number of parties, including:
- Another driver
- A pedestrian
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer
- The city or county government agency responsible for road safety
Even in cases as serious as accidents that’s caused you a broken leg, you still have to file your claim within two years of the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you can’t file a claim and risk missing out on these all-important damages. But there’s another important aspect of your claim, and that’s taking the right steps to protect it.
What Steps Can You Take to Protect Your Car Accident Claim?
A serious car accident on the streets of Tulare–whether on Mooney Boulevard or out on Highway 99–can leave you reeling, especially if you’ve suffered a broken leg. As overwhelming as it is, what you do next can make or break your injury claim. Here are a few steps to take to protect your claim:
- Call 911 immediately – First responders can stabilize your leg and transport you to the hospital. At the same time, Tulare Police or CHP will document the crash. Make sure the police report includes your injury–it’s a key part of your claim.
- Ask for help – If you’re unable to move due to your injury, ask an officer to gather contact and insurance information from the other driver. This information is required to file an insurance claim or, if needed, a personal injury lawsuit.
- Get evidence from the scene – If you can safely do so, take photos of the cars, road conditions, your injury, and anything else that shows what happened. If you can’t do this yourself, ask someone at the scene. These visuals help back up your claim when insurance companies start asking questions.
- Seek full medical treatment – A broken leg needs proper diagnosis and treatment. That might mean an ER visit at Adventist Health Tulare or follow-up care from an orthopedic specialist. Follow your doctor’s plan and keep every receipt and record.
- Save every document – That includes police reports, medical bills, pharmacy receipts, injury photos, and notes from your doctors. These documents form the foundation of your claim and show the full impact of the accident on your life.
Even in a smaller city like Tulare, insurance companies will look for ways to minimize what your claim is worth. By taking the right steps from the start, you make it much harder for them to ignore the seriousness of your broken leg–and much easier for you to get the help you need.
Legal Help in Tulare After a Car Accident and Broken Leg
A broken leg from a car accident in Tulare can stop life in its tracks. Getting around becomes difficult. Work gets put on hold. And the stress can quickly pile up. At Maison Law, we know how much a serious injury can affect your life–and we’re here to make the legal side easier. Get started today with a free, no-obligation consultation.
