When severe injuries occur in car accidents in Nevada, one of the more common and often debilitating issues involves a broken femur. This weight-bearing bone in the leg can become easily crushed in high-impact crashes, sometimes necessitating months or years of medical treatment.
How high-impact crashes cause femur injuries
The femur is a major bone in both thighs, running from the hip to the knee. Because it is such a large bone, a significant amount of impact must occur in car accidents to break it. In addition to bone breakage, substantial injuries to surrounding blood vessels, muscles and ligaments usually accompany a femur fracture. These associated problems can be even more concerning than the breakage itself. If a compound fracture occurs, where the bone protrudes from the skin, a high risk of infection is also possible. Femoral fractures can either be complete or partial.
Three types of femoral fractures are common. These are:
- Femoral neck, usually referred to as a hip fracture
- Anywhere along the femoral shaft
- Distal end, usually referred to as a knee fracture
Pedestrians and motorcyclists have the most risk
Victims riding motorcycles or walking on the street are most at risk for femur injuries because they have little protection from crashes, unlike those in cars or SUVs, where the shells of the vehicles absorb some of the impact. The height and angle at which cars frequently strike victims in these two groups also make femur and other personal injuries more severe. Victims should seek immediate medical help when femur injuries occur, as they can die from excessive blood loss.
If multiple injuries occur, victims may need additional assistance. You may file a claim in court seeking further compensation from the person who caused the accident to help pay for medical and living costs, lost wages and more.