Broken bones from a car accident mean hospital stays, surgery, hardware in your body, and weeks or months of recovery — all while bills pile up and paychecks stop. If you suffered fractures in a car accident anywhere in Mobile County or Baldwin County, Alabama, you are entitled to full compensation from the driver who caused the crash. At Simmons Law, Chris Simmons personally handles fracture cases and pursues every dollar available under Alabama law.
Common Fractures in Alabama Car Accidents
Car accidents produce fractures across the body depending on the impact mechanism. Wrist and forearm fractures (distal radius, ulna) occur when drivers brace against the steering wheel at impact. Rib fractures from seatbelt loading and steering wheel impact are among the most painful crash injuries, often causing pneumothorax or punctured organs. Tibial plateau fractures result from the knee striking the dashboard. Femur (thigh) fractures indicate severe force. Hip fractures are particularly serious in older adults, often leading to complications including blood clots and pneumonia during prolonged recovery. Clavicle fractures from seatbelt restraint are common in moderate-speed impacts.
Treatment: Surgery, Hardware, and Recovery Timelines
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery uses plates, screws, and rods to stabilize fractures. These hardware components often remain in the body permanently. Recovery timelines vary by fracture site: wrist fractures typically require 6 to 8 weeks in a cast or splint plus physical therapy. Femur fractures may require 3 to 6 months of non-weight-bearing status. Hip fractures in older adults can require nursing facility care for 4 to 12 weeks. All of these costs — surgery, hospitalization, anesthesia, physical therapy, follow-up imaging, and any future hardware removal — are recoverable damages in your claim. Treatment at University of South Alabama Medical Center or Mobile Infirmary provides excellent documented records supporting your case.
Future Medical Costs in Fracture Cases
A fracture that heals improperly can cause post-traumatic arthritis at the injury site, requiring long-term pain management, injections, or eventually joint replacement surgery. Hardware complications may require additional surgery. Femur and hip fractures in older adults carry substantially elevated risk of future complications. A properly structured fracture claim anticipates these future costs. Simmons Law retains orthopedic experts to testify about the probability and cost of future treatment, ensuring your settlement accounts for care you have not yet received rather than just past bills.
Alabama Statute of Limitations: Act Before Two Years
Under Alabama Code § 6-2-38, you have two years from the date of your car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. With fracture cases, this deadline can sneak up on you — recovery is long, and it is tempting to focus on healing rather than legal action. But waiting too long forfeits your right to sue entirely. Contact Simmons Law as soon as possible after the accident, even before your fractures have fully healed. The firm can pursue your claim while you focus on recovery.
What Damages Can I Recover for Broken Bones?
Compensable damages for fractures from an Alabama car accident include: all medical expenses (ER, surgery, hospitalization, imaging, PT, and future care); lost wages for every day you could not work during recovery; loss of earning capacity if the fracture causes permanent functional limitations; pain and suffering for the significant physical pain of fractures and surgical recovery; disfigurement if surgical scarring is visible; and loss of enjoyment of life. Multiple fractures, open fractures requiring extensive surgery, and fractures with complications significantly increase the value of a claim.
Why Simmons Law for Your Fracture Case
At Simmons Law, Chris Simmons personally handles broken bone cases from initial consultation through resolution. The firm represents fracture victims in Mobile County and Baldwin County on contingency — no upfront fees, no payment unless you recover compensation. If the at-fault driver's insurer offers a lowball number, Simmons Law takes the case to trial at Mobile County Circuit Court, 205 Government Street. Call (251) 306-8333 to discuss your fracture case today.
