Recently, a woman suffered a serious broken pelvis in a vehicular collision. An intoxicated driver who was operating his SUV with a blood alcohol concentration of .172%, over double the legal limit of .08%, struck her vehicle at a high speed. The victim suffered from excruciating pain due to the inebriated driver’s negligence. Authorities arrested the culprit and charged him with drunk driving, following too closely, endangerment, and causing bodily harm due to his drinking. 

Although the authorities are holding the drunk driver criminally liable, the victim can also hold him financially responsible by filing a claim or lawsuit. 

Car accidents can cause many injuries, and sadly, pelvis injuries are common and often require extensive treatments, including surgery. If you suffer from a broken pelvis caused by another driver, you shouldn’t be responsible for paying for your own pricey medical treatments. Fortunately, you have every right to file a claim or lawsuit to recover compensation for your damages. 

Types of Pelvic Fractures

Every year, almost 800,000 victims suffer from catastrophic pelvic fractures caused by car accidents. The reason why serious pelvic injuries are common is because drivers and passengers sit just above the car frame’s cross-section, and this part of the vehicle takes the brunt of the impact when two vehicles collide.  

There are two types of pelvic fractures: a stable fracture and an unstable fracture. A stable fracture occurs when there is a break in one or more of the three bones that make up the pelvis, but the bones remain in their normal position and alignment. Treatment for a stable pelvic fracture typically involves rest, pain management, and physical therapy to help victims regain strength and mobility in the affected area. In most cases, stable pelvic fractures can heal without the need for surgery.

Unfortunately, unstable fractures can be incredibly serious. These breaks happen when one or more of the three pelvic bones break and are knocked out of their normal position. These are common in vehicular collisions because the force of impact is great enough to knock a pelvic bone out of alignment. Treatment for an unstable pelvic fracture typically involves immediate medical attention, which may include stabilizing the victim’s condition and providing pain relief, followed by surgical intervention to reposition and stabilize the broken bones. In some cases, those suffering from an unstable fracture may require additional physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain full function and mobility in the affected area.

Pelvic Injury Symptoms

Those who suffer from a broken pelvis may experience various symptoms depending on the severity of their condition and the location of the fracture. These symptoms may include:

• Severe pain in the pelvic region
• Swelling or bruising
• Difficulty standing or walking
• Inability to bear weight on the affected side of the pelvis
• Decreased range of motion in the hip or lower back
• Hip or lower back stiffness
• Tingling or numbness in the groin area
• Visible deformity or misalignment of the pelvic bones
• Abdominal pain or tenderness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty urinating or having bowel movements

If you suspect that you have a pelvic fracture, you need to seek medical attention immediately to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Seeking Compensation After an Indiana Car Accident

Receiving medical treatment for a broken pelvis can be a costly and often lengthy process. The initial diagnosis and treatment may involve emergency care, imaging tests, pain management, and stabilization of the fracture, all of which can add up quickly. Additionally, you may be unable to work while you recover, making your injuries all the more costly.

For that reason, it’s crucial to file a car accident claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver. In order to recover compensation, you’ll need to prove that the other driver was responsible and that you suffered losses as a direct result.

Proving Another Driver Was At Fault For a Car Accident

Proving that another driver was at fault can be a complex process. First, you need to gather as much evidence as possible from the scene of the accident, including photos of the damage and the surrounding area as well as eyewitness statements. It’s important to write down eyewitness’s contact information in case you or your lawyer need to contact them at a later time to build your case. 

You can also use the crash’s accident report as evidence. When an officer arrives at the scene, they will make initial assessments about who was at fault. Additionally, if the other driver was arrested, you can use that as evidence against them. For example, the woman who was severely injured recently will likely have an airtight case against the negligent driver, considering the police charged him with drunk driving as well as other charges indicating that he was at fault. 

Finally, you can use video evidence if any nearby cameras, such as security cameras and dashboard cams, captured what occurred. Gathering this invaluable evidence can be challenging though, and you may need a car accident lawyer to subpoena the footage. 

Proving That You Suffered Losses

In addition to proving that another driver was at fault, you need to prove that the crash caused you to sustain damages. This can include property damage, past and future medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more. 

You can prove that you suffered losses through your medical bills, doctor’s notes, car repair receipts, and any out-of-pocket expenses. You may also need to provide documentation of lost wages or income and any other financial losses you incurred as a result of the accident. 

When applicable, you’ll need to prove that the accident impacted your mental and emotional well-being, which falls under pain and suffering damages. You can show that you sustained emotional and mental trauma through statements from your family, friends, and therapist. 

Did You Suffer From a Broken Pelvis Injury? Contact an Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyer

Recovering damages after suffering from a broken pelvis can be challenging, and you need to do everything you can to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your wreck. Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone — you can contact an Indianapolis car accident personal injury attorney to help you prove your claim and maximize your compensation. 

For experienced legal support after a broken pelvis accident, contact Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery Attorneys at Law. Call us today at 1-800-265-9881 or schedule a FREE case review online here.