Multiple Fractures and Orthopedic Injuries After a Dallas-Fort Worth Truck Wreck

A collision with an 18-wheeler can break several bones and damage multiple joints in a single impact.

A truck-wreck victim may suffer fractures to the ribs, pelvis, spine, arms, legs, hands, feet, shoulders, or face at the same time. The same collision may also tear ligaments, damage cartilage, injure nerves and blood vessels, or crush the soft tissue surrounding the broken bones.

These are not always injuries that heal after a few weeks in a cast.

Multiple fractures may require emergency surgery, metal plates, screws, rods, external fixation devices, bone grafts, joint reconstruction, and months of physical rehabilitation. Some victims are left with chronic pain, arthritis, weakness, reduced mobility, permanent work restrictions, or the need for future joint-replacement surgery.

A fracture is a partial or complete break in a bone. Motor-vehicle crashes are a recognized cause of traumatic fractures, and high-energy collisions may cause several serious injuries simultaneously.

If you or someone you love suffered multiple broken bones or serious orthopedic injuries after an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or commercial-vehicle wreck in Dallas-Fort Worth, your claim may involve much more than the bills from the first hospitalization.

You may be facing repeated operations, months away from work, reduced earning capacity, permanent physical impairment, and uncertainty about whether you will regain your prior strength and mobility.

The Wooley Law Firm represents people seriously injured in wrecks involving:

• 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers

• Semi-trucks

• Flatbed trucks

• Box trucks

• Delivery trucks and vans

• Tanker trucks

• Dump trucks

• Construction vehicles

• Garbage and sanitation trucks

• Buses and other commercial vehicles

Learn more about how we handle serious truck-wreck cases on our 18-wheeler and truck accident lawyer page.

Call 214-699-6524 for a free consultation. You do not pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Why Truck Wrecks Cause Multiple Broken Bones

Passenger vehicles are not designed to withstand the full force of a collision with a large commercial truck.

During an 18-wheeler wreck, a victim may experience:

• Direct impact from the truck

• Passenger-compartment intrusion

• Crushing between vehicles

• Repeated impacts during a pileup

• Sudden acceleration and deceleration

• Twisting and rotational forces

• Ejection from the vehicle

• Contact with the steering wheel, dashboard, doors, or windows

• Falling or shifting cargo

• Roof collapse during a rollover

High-energy motor-vehicle collisions can cause complex fractures and may injure surrounding nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs.

A person may suffer several separate fractures during the same crash. For example, a driver may sustain broken ribs from the seat belt, a fractured wrist from bracing against the steering wheel, and a fractured leg when the dashboard collapses inward.

What Is an Orthopedic Injury?

Orthopedic injuries affect the bones, joints, cartilage, muscles, tendons, ligaments, or related structures of the musculoskeletal system.

After a truck wreck, orthopedic injuries may include:

• Bone fractures

• Joint dislocations

• Ligament tears

• Tendon injuries

• Cartilage damage

• Joint instability

• Muscle injuries

• Nerve damage

• Crush injuries

• Traumatic arthritis

• Loss of range of motion

Some injuries can be treated with immobilization and therapy. Others require surgery and may result in permanent limitations.

Common Types of Fractures After an 18-Wheeler Wreck

Doctors classify fractures based on the location, direction, severity, and condition of the surrounding tissue.

Closed Fractures

A closed fracture occurs when the bone breaks but does not penetrate the skin.

Although the skin remains intact, the victim may still have severe internal damage, including:

• Bleeding

• Muscle injuries

• Nerve damage

• Blood-vessel damage

• Joint involvement

Open or Compound Fractures

An open fracture occurs when the broken bone or injury creates an open wound through the skin.

Open fractures carry an increased risk of contamination, infection, delayed healing, and additional surgery.

Treatment may require:

• Emergency wound cleaning

• Antibiotics

• Removal of damaged tissue

• Fracture stabilization

• Repeated surgeries

• Skin grafts

• Bone grafts

Comminuted Fractures

A comminuted fracture occurs when the bone breaks into multiple pieces.

These injuries are common in high-energy trauma and may be difficult to stabilize. A comminuted fracture is generally defined as a bone broken into two or more fragments.

Treatment may require plates, screws, rods, external fixation, or bone grafting.

Displaced Fractures

A displaced fracture occurs when the broken ends of the bone move out of their normal alignment.

Doctors may need to reposition the bone through:

• Closed reduction

• Open surgical reduction

• Internal fixation

• External fixation

Nondisplaced Fractures

A nondisplaced fracture occurs when the bone breaks but remains substantially aligned.

These fractures may still require immobilization and follow-up imaging to ensure they heal correctly.

Compression Fractures

A compression fracture occurs when a bone collapses under pressure. These fractures may affect the vertebrae of the spine.

High-energy thoracic and lumbar spinal fractures caused by motor-vehicle collisions generally require urgent medical evaluation.

Fracture-Dislocations

A fracture-dislocation involves both a broken bone and a joint that has moved out of its normal position.

These injuries may damage:

• Ligaments

• Tendons

• Cartilage

• Nerves

• Blood vessels

They frequently require surgical repair.

Pelvic Fractures After a Truck Wreck

A pelvic fracture is one of the most dangerous orthopedic injuries that can occur during a high-energy collision.

The pelvis forms a ring at the base of the spine and surrounds major blood vessels, nerves, and organs. Most pelvic fractures are caused by significant trauma, including motor-vehicle crashes. Because of the nearby blood vessels and organs, pelvic fractures may cause extensive internal bleeding and other life-threatening injuries.

Symptoms may include:

• Severe pelvic or hip pain

• Difficulty standing

• Inability to walk

• Abdominal pain

• Groin pain

• Leg-length differences

• Numbness

• Weakness

• Blood in the urine

• Dizziness from blood loss

A pelvic fracture may be stable or unstable.

An unstable pelvic fracture may require:

• Blood transfusions

• Emergency stabilization

• External fixation

• Plates and screws

• Vascular procedures

• Multiple surgeries

• Extended rehabilitation

Associated injuries may involve the bladder, bowel, urethra, nerves, or blood vessels.

Learn more about internal organ injuries after a Dallas-Fort Worth truck wreck.

Hip and Acetabular Fractures

The acetabulum is the socket portion of the hip joint. A high-energy impact can drive the top of the femur into the socket and fracture the surrounding bone.

Hip and acetabular fractures may cause:

• Severe hip or groin pain

• Inability to bear weight

• Joint instability

• Cartilage damage

• Nerve injuries

• Reduced range of motion

Treatment may involve:

• Surgical fixation

• Plates and screws

• Restricted weight-bearing

• Physical therapy

• Future hip replacement

Even when the fracture heals, damage to the joint cartilage may increase the risk of post-traumatic arthritis.

Femur Fractures

The femur, or thigh bone, is one of the strongest bones in the body. Breaking it generally requires substantial force.

A truck collision may fracture:

• The femoral shaft

• The upper femur near the hip

• The lower femur near the knee

Symptoms may include:

• Severe pain

• Visible deformity

• Swelling

• Shortening of the leg

• Inability to stand

• Significant blood loss

Treatment may require:

• Intramedullary rods

• Plates and screws

• External fixation

• Bone grafting

• Extended rehabilitation

A femur fracture may also be accompanied by knee, hip, nerve, or blood-vessel injuries.

Tibia and Fibula Fractures

The tibia and fibula are the two primary bones of the lower leg.

They may fracture when:

• The dashboard collapses onto the legs

• The vehicle is struck from the side

• The victim is pinned inside the car

• A pedestrian or motorcyclist is struck by the truck

• The leg is twisted during a rollover

A tibia fracture may involve the knee joint, ankle joint, or shaft of the bone.

Open tibia fractures can be particularly serious because the bone has limited soft-tissue coverage, increasing the risk of infection and wound-healing complications.

Treatment may require:

• Intramedullary rods

• Plates and screws

• External fixation

• Skin grafts

• Reconstructive surgery

• Bone grafting

Knee Fractures and Ligament Injuries

The knee may strike the dashboard or twist violently during a truck wreck.

Potential injuries include:

• Patella fractures

• Tibial plateau fractures

• Distal femur fractures

• ACL tears

• PCL tears

• MCL or LCL tears

• Meniscus tears

• Cartilage damage

• Knee dislocations

A tibial plateau fracture affects the upper surface of the shin bone where it forms part of the knee joint.

Because these fractures involve the joint surface, they may lead to:

• Instability

• Reduced motion

• Chronic pain

• Post-traumatic arthritis

• Future knee replacement

A knee dislocation may also damage major blood vessels and nerves, making it a medical emergency.

Ankle and Foot Fractures

The feet and ankles are vulnerable when the floorboard, pedals, or dashboard collapse inward.

Possible injuries include:

• Ankle fractures

• Talus fractures

• Calcaneus or heel fractures

• Midfoot fractures

• Metatarsal fractures

• Toe fractures

• Lisfranc injuries

• Tendon and ligament damage

These injuries can affect balance, gait, standing tolerance, and the ability to walk on uneven surfaces.

A person with a serious foot or ankle injury may have difficulty returning to work that requires prolonged standing, climbing, driving, or carrying heavy objects.

Shoulder Fractures and Dislocations

The shoulder may be injured when the occupant braces for impact, strikes the door, or is thrown against the seat belt.

Potential injuries include:

• Clavicle fractures

• Scapula fractures

• Proximal humerus fractures

• Shoulder dislocations

• Rotator-cuff tears

• Labral injuries

• Nerve damage

Scapular fractures are often associated with high-energy trauma, such as high-speed motor-vehicle collisions, and may occur with simultaneous chest injuries.

Shoulder injuries may interfere with:

• Lifting

• Reaching

• Dressing

• Driving

• Sleeping

• Performing overhead work

Treatment may involve immobilization, surgery, physical therapy, and future procedures.

Clavicle Fractures

The clavicle, or collarbone, can fracture when the shoulder strikes the vehicle interior or the seat belt applies force across the upper chest.

Clavicle fractures may occur during high-energy events, including motor-vehicle accidents.

Symptoms may include:

• Shoulder pain

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Visible deformity

• Difficulty lifting the arm

• Grinding or movement at the fracture site

Some clavicle fractures heal without surgery. Others require plates and screws because of displacement, shortening, skin pressure, or associated injuries.

Humerus Fractures

The humerus is the bone of the upper arm.

A fracture may occur near:

• The shoulder

• The middle of the arm

• The elbow

Humerus fractures may be associated with radial-nerve injuries, causing weakness, numbness, or difficulty lifting the wrist and fingers.

Treatment may involve:

• A sling or brace

• Plates and screws

• Intramedullary fixation

• Physical therapy

• Nerve monitoring

Radius and Ulna Fractures

The radius and ulna form the forearm.

A truck-wreck victim may fracture one or both bones while bracing against the steering wheel, dashboard, or door.

Symptoms may include:

• Severe forearm pain

• Swelling

• Visible deformity

• Numbness

• Weakness

• Reduced wrist or elbow movement

Complex fractures may require surgical fixation.

Learn more about radius and ulna fractures after a Dallas car accident.

Wrist and Hand Fractures

A victim may instinctively place their hands on the steering wheel, dashboard, or seat in an attempt to brace for impact.

Potential injuries include:

• Distal radius fractures

• Scaphoid fractures

• Metacarpal fractures

• Finger fractures

• Joint dislocations

• Tendon injuries

• Nerve damage

Hand and wrist injuries may interfere with:

• Typing

• Writing

• Gripping

• Driving

• Cooking

• Dressing

• Tool use

• Returning to skilled employment

Even a relatively small fracture can create substantial limitations when it affects the dominant hand.

Rib and Sternum Fractures

Rib fractures may result from seat-belt force, airbag deployment, steering-wheel impact, or crushing of the chest.

Symptoms may include:

• Chest pain

• Pain while breathing

• Pain with coughing

• Tenderness

• Difficulty sleeping

• Shortness of breath

Multiple rib fractures can interfere with effective breathing and increase the risk of lung complications.

Broken ribs may also damage the lungs, spleen, liver, or other nearby structures.

Learn more about rib fractures after a Dallas car accident.

Spinal Fractures

A truck wreck may fracture vertebrae in the neck, upper back, or lower back.

Possible injuries include:

• Compression fractures

• Burst fractures

• Fracture-dislocations

• Transverse-process fractures

• Spinous-process fractures

High-energy spinal fractures may be associated with nerve or spinal cord damage and require urgent evaluation.

Symptoms may include:

• Severe neck or back pain

• Muscle spasms

• Weakness

• Numbness

• Tingling

• Difficulty walking

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• Paralysis

Learn more about serious back and neck injuries after a Dallas-Fort Worth truck wreck and spinal cord injuries and paralysis.

Facial Fractures

Truck collisions may fracture the:

• Nose

• Jaw

• Cheekbones

• Eye sockets

• Forehead

• Midface

Facial fractures may affect vision, breathing, speaking, chewing, and appearance.

Treatment may involve plates, screws, dental reconstruction, eye surgery, or plastic surgery.

Learn more about facial injuries, scarring, and disfigurement after a truck wreck.

What Are Orthopedic Soft-Tissue Injuries?

A serious truck wreck can cause major orthopedic damage even when a particular body part is not fractured.

Soft-tissue injuries may include:

• Torn ligaments

• Torn tendons

• Meniscus tears

• Labral tears

• Rotator-cuff injuries

• Cartilage damage

• Muscle tears

• Joint-capsule injuries

These injuries may cause instability, weakness, locking, clicking, reduced range of motion, and chronic pain.

An insurance company may refer to an injury as “soft tissue” in an attempt to make it sound minor. However, a torn ligament or tendon may require surgery and result in permanent functional limitations.

Emergency Warning Signs After a Truck Wreck

A victim should seek emergency medical attention for:

• Visible deformity

• Bone protruding through the skin

• Severe swelling

• Uncontrolled bleeding

• Loss of pulse

• Pale, blue, or cold skin

• Numbness

• Paralysis

• Inability to move the limb

• Severe pelvic or spinal pain

• Difficulty breathing

• Dizziness or fainting

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• Increasing pain that seems out of proportion to the injury

Fractures associated with high-energy trauma may occur with other life-threatening injuries and require prompt evaluation.

How Doctors Diagnose Multiple Fractures

A seriously injured truck-wreck victim may be evaluated by trauma surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, vascular surgeons, and other specialists.

The evaluation may include:

Physical Examination

Doctors may assess:

• Pain and tenderness

• Deformity

• Swelling

• Movement

• Sensation

• Strength

• Pulses and circulation

• Skin condition

• Joint stability

X-Rays

X-rays are commonly used to identify broken bones, displacement, joint involvement, and alignment.

CT Scans

CT scans may be used for:

• Pelvic fractures

• Spinal fractures

• Joint fractures

• Complex injuries

• Preoperative planning

MRI Scans

MRI imaging may reveal:

• Ligament tears

• Tendon damage

• Cartilage injuries

• Nerve compression

• Spinal cord damage

• Muscle injuries

Vascular Testing

When blood-vessel damage is suspected, doctors may use ultrasound, CT angiography, or other vascular studies.

Repeated imaging may be necessary as swelling decreases or previously hidden fractures become more apparent.

Treatment for Multiple Fractures

Treatment depends on:

• The bones involved

• Whether the fractures are displaced

• Whether the skin is open

• Joint involvement

• Nerve or blood-vessel damage

• Infection risk

• The victim’s overall condition

Possible treatment includes:

• Splints

• Casts

• Braces

• Closed reduction

• Surgery

• Internal fixation

• External fixation

• Bone grafts

• Joint reconstruction

• Wound treatment

• Antibiotics

• Physical therapy

• Occupational therapy

The three broad fracture-treatment approaches include casting, closed or open reduction, and surgical fixation. Complicated fractures may require rods, screws, pins, or plates to hold the bone in proper alignment.

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation

Open reduction and internal fixation is a surgical procedure used to realign and stabilize a fracture.

The surgeon may use:

• Plates

• Screws

• Rods

• Pins

• Wires

• Cages

The hardware may remain in the body permanently unless it causes problems or must later be removed.

Complicated fractures that cannot be properly aligned with casting may require internal fixation.

External Fixation

An external fixator uses pins or wires placed into the bone and connected to a frame outside the body.

External fixation may be used when:

• The victim has extensive swelling

• The skin and tissue are badly damaged

• The fracture is open

• Temporary stabilization is needed

• The patient has multiple life-threatening injuries

The device may remain in place until the fracture is ready for permanent surgical repair.

Bone Grafts

A bone graft may be needed when:

• Bone is missing

• The fracture has a gap

• Healing is delayed

• The bone fails to unite

• Reconstruction requires additional support

Bone graft material may come from the patient, a donor source, or a synthetic substitute.

Bone grafting may be necessary when a fracture results in significant bone loss or when a gap remains between the broken ends.

Delayed Union and Nonunion

A delayed union occurs when a fracture takes longer than expected to heal.

A nonunion occurs when the bone fails to heal together.

Contributing factors may include:

• Severe tissue damage

• Poor blood flow

• Infection

• Bone loss

• Smoking

• Open fractures

• Significant displacement

• Medical conditions affecting healing

Treatment may require:

• Additional surgery

• Revision of hardware

• Bone grafting

• Electrical bone stimulation

• Longer periods without weight-bearing

A delayed union or nonunion can substantially extend the recovery period and time away from work.

Malunion

A malunion occurs when the bone heals in the wrong position.

This may cause:

• Limb-length differences

• Visible deformity

• Abnormal gait

• Joint stress

• Reduced mobility

• Chronic pain

Corrective surgery may be required to realign the bone.

Infection After an Open Fracture

Open fractures may expose the bone and tissue to bacteria, dirt, road debris, glass, fuel, or other contaminants.

An infection may cause:

• Pain

• Redness

• Swelling

• Drainage

• Fever

• Failure of the bone to heal

• Tissue death

Treatment may require:

• Antibiotics

• Repeated debridement

• Removal of infected hardware

• Revision surgery

• Bone grafting

• Skin or muscle flaps

• Amputation in extreme cases

Post-Traumatic Arthritis

A fracture involving a joint may damage the smooth cartilage that allows the joint to move.

Over time, the victim may develop:

• Pain

• Stiffness

• Swelling

• Grinding

• Reduced motion

• Difficulty walking or lifting

Post-traumatic arthritis may affect the:

• Hip

• Knee

• Ankle

• Shoulder

• Elbow

• Wrist

A person may eventually need injections, arthroscopic surgery, joint reconstruction, or joint replacement.

Nerve and Blood-Vessel Damage

Broken or displaced bone fragments may compress, stretch, or tear nearby nerves and blood vessels.

Nerve damage may cause:

• Numbness

• Tingling

• Burning pain

• Weakness

• Paralysis

• Loss of coordination

Blood-vessel injuries may cause:

• Internal bleeding

• Reduced circulation

• Pale or cold skin

• Tissue death

• Need for emergency vascular surgery

• Amputation

These complications may create permanent disability even when the fracture itself heals.

Compartment Syndrome After a Fracture

Bleeding and swelling inside a muscle compartment may increase pressure and restrict blood flow.

Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency that can cause permanent muscle and nerve damage if pressure is not promptly relieved.

Treatment may require an emergency fasciotomy.

Learn more about crush injuries, compartment syndrome, and rhabdomyolysis after a truck wreck.

Rehabilitation After Multiple Fractures

Recovery from multiple fractures may take months or years.

Rehabilitation may involve:

• Physical therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Strength training

• Range-of-motion exercises

• Gait training

• Balance training

• Hand therapy

• Work conditioning

• Pain management

• Assistive devices

Severe orthopedic injuries may require professional rehabilitation, braces, casts, or surgery before the person can return to normal activities.

A victim may have to relearn how to:

• Walk

• Climb stairs

• Drive

• Lift objects

• Use the hands

• Dress

• Bathe

• Cook

• Return to work

Weight-Bearing Restrictions

A doctor may prohibit or limit weight-bearing while a leg, foot, hip, or pelvic fracture heals.

Restrictions may include:

• Non-weight-bearing

• Toe-touch weight-bearing

• Partial weight-bearing

• Weight-bearing as tolerated

A victim may need:

• Crutches

• A walker

• A wheelchair

• A knee scooter

• Help from family members

These restrictions may make it impossible to drive, work, climb stairs, or live independently.

Chronic Pain After Orthopedic Trauma

Even after the bones heal, a victim may continue experiencing pain because of:

• Joint damage

• Nerve injuries

• Scar tissue

• Surgical hardware

• Muscle weakness

• Altered gait

• Arthritis

• Tendon or ligament damage

Chronic pain can interfere with:

• Sleep

• Work

• Concentration

• Exercise

• Parenting

• Relationships

• Emotional health

The need for future pain management should be considered when supported by the medical evidence.

Multiple Fractures and Amputation Risk

Severe fractures may be accompanied by:

• Extensive tissue destruction

• Loss of circulation

• Infection

• Nerve damage

• Bone loss

• Crush injuries

When doctors cannot restore circulation or control infection, amputation may become necessary.

Learn more about amputations and loss of limbs after a Dallas-Fort Worth truck wreck.

How Multiple Fractures Affect Employment

Orthopedic injuries may prevent a person from returning to the same occupation.

The effects may be especially significant for jobs involving:

• Standing

• Walking

• Lifting

• Carrying

• Climbing

• Driving

• Operating machinery

• Using tools

• Repetitive hand movements

• Working overhead

• Patient care

• Construction

• Warehouse labor

Employment losses may include:

• Missed wages

• Lost overtime

• Loss of benefits

• Reduced hours

• Light-duty work

• A lower-paying position

• Vocational retraining

• Early retirement

• Permanent inability to work

A claim may include past lost wages and future loss of earning capacity.

Physical Impairment After Multiple Fractures

Physical impairment concerns the loss of the ability to participate in normal life activities.

A victim may no longer be able to:

• Walk without pain

• Run

• Exercise

• Lift children

• Drive comfortably

• Perform household work

• Play sports

• Travel

• Use stairs

• Work with tools

• Participate in former hobbies

• Live without assistance

These losses are not fully reflected by medical bills.

The evidence should show what the person could do before the truck wreck and how the injuries changed those abilities.

Emotional Trauma After Orthopedic Injuries

A victim facing several surgeries, prolonged immobility, and uncertain recovery may experience:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Frustration

• Sleep problems

• Loss of confidence

• Fear of reinjury

• Post-traumatic stress

• Social withdrawal

Learn more about post-traumatic stress and emotional trauma after a Dallas-Fort Worth truck wreck.

Compensation for Multiple Fractures and Orthopedic Injuries

Depending on the evidence and circumstances, compensation may be available for:

• Ambulance transportation

• Emergency-room care

• Hospitalization

• Diagnostic imaging

• Orthopedic surgery

• Hardware and fixation

• Bone grafting

• Physical therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Rehabilitation

• Medication

• Future surgery

• Joint replacement

• Lost wages

• Loss of earning capacity

• Physical pain and suffering

• Mental anguish

• Physical impairment

• Disfigurement

• Assistive devices

• Home-care assistance

• Transportation expenses

• Out-of-pocket costs

• Property damage

A multiple-fracture claim should not be evaluated solely by adding up the current medical bills.

The claim may involve years of treatment, future surgery, permanent work restrictions, post-traumatic arthritis, chronic pain, and major changes to the victim’s daily life.

Read more about potential compensation in our guide to truck accident damages after a Dallas 18-wheeler wreck.

Preexisting Arthritis or Prior Orthopedic Injuries

Insurance companies may argue that pain or reduced mobility existed before the truck wreck.

The important questions may include:

• Did the victim have symptoms before the collision?

• Did the wreck cause new fractures?

• Did the collision aggravate an old injury?

• Did the person require new surgery or treatment?

• Was the victim able to work and perform normal activities before the crash?

• Did the wreck accelerate the need for joint replacement?

A preexisting condition does not automatically prevent recovery. The truck wreck may have caused a new injury or aggravated a prior condition.

How Insurance Companies Defend Multiple-Fracture Claims

Even when fractures are clearly visible on imaging, the trucking company’s insurer may attempt to reduce the claim.

The insurance company may argue that:

• The injured person caused or contributed to the wreck

• Some treatment was unnecessary

• The fractures healed completely

• Future surgery is speculative

• Pain comes from arthritis or prior injuries

• The victim can return to work

• Physical limitations are exaggerated

• The victim failed to follow medical recommendations

• Lost income is unsupported

The insurer may offer a settlement before doctors know whether the bones will heal properly, whether hardware will cause problems, or whether post-traumatic arthritis will require additional surgery.

A premature settlement may leave the victim responsible for future procedures and lost income.

Who May Be Responsible for the Truck Wreck?

A serious truck collision may involve multiple responsible parties.

The Truck Driver

A commercial driver may cause the collision through:

• Speeding

• Following too closely

• Fatigued driving

• Distracted driving

• Unsafe lane changes

• Failure to check blind spots

• Running a red light

• Driving while impaired

• Making an unsafe wide turn

• Failing to control speed

• Failing to maintain a proper lookout

The Trucking Company

A motor carrier may be responsible for its driver’s conduct and for its own unsafe practices.

Potential company negligence may include:

• Hiring an unqualified driver

• Inadequate training

• Negligent supervision

• Retaining an unsafe driver

• Pressuring drivers to meet unsafe schedules

• Failing to inspect or maintain the truck

• Ignoring safety violations

• Unsafe dispatch practices

• Failure to enforce fatigue policies

A Cargo Loader or Shipper

Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo may cause the truck to roll over, jackknife, lose control, or spill material into traffic.

Flatbed loads involving steel, pipe, lumber, machinery, and construction materials can cause devastating fractures and crush injuries.

Learn more about flatbed truck accidents, cargo securement, and liability.

A Maintenance or Repair Company

A maintenance provider may share responsibility when negligent inspection or repair contributes to:

• Brake failure

• Tire separation

• Steering failure

• Wheel detachment

• Trailer separation

• Mechanical breakdown

A Truck or Parts Manufacturer

A defective component may cause or worsen the wreck.

Potential defects may involve:

• Brakes

• Tires

• Steering systems

• Coupling devices

• Underride guards

• Trailer components

• Other safety equipment

Evidence That Should Be Preserved

The trucking company and its insurer may begin investigating while the injured person is still hospitalized or undergoing surgery.

Important evidence may include:

• Engine control module data

• Electronic logging-device records

• GPS and telematics data

• Dash-camera footage

• Driver-facing camera footage

• Dispatch communications

• Cellphone records

• Driver qualification files

• Training records

• Hours-of-service logs

• Drug and alcohol testing records

• Maintenance records

• Inspection reports

• Cargo-loading records

• Bills of lading

• Weight tickets

• Post-crash inspection materials

• Photographs and videos

• Surveillance footage

• Witness statements

• Police body-camera footage

• 911 recordings

• Physical vehicle evidence

Electronic information may be overwritten or lost unless prompt steps are taken to preserve it.

Learn more about the evidence that matters after a Texas 18-wheeler wreck and 18-wheeler black-box data after a Dallas-Fort Worth truck crash.

Medical Evidence Needed for an Orthopedic Injury Claim

Relevant evidence may include:

• Ambulance records

• Emergency-room records

• Trauma records

• X-rays

• CT scans

• MRI scans

• Operative reports

• Hardware records

• Physical-therapy records

• Occupational-therapy records

• Pain-management records

• Work restrictions

• Functional-capacity evaluations

• Future-surgery recommendations

• Joint-replacement recommendations

• Employment records

• Life-care plans

Photographs may document:

• Swelling

• Bruising

• External fixation devices

• Surgical incisions

• Casts and braces

• Scarring

• Mobility equipment

• Changes in gait or movement

The evidence should explain both the initial injuries and how those injuries are expected to affect the victim in the future.

What to Do After Suffering Multiple Fractures

Seek Emergency Medical Care

Multiple fractures may be accompanied by internal bleeding, nerve damage, or blood-vessel injuries.

Report Every Symptom

Tell medical providers about:

• Pain

• Numbness

• Weakness

• Swelling

• Loss of movement

• Cold or pale skin

• Chest or abdominal symptoms

• Difficulty walking

Follow Weight-Bearing and Activity Restrictions

Attempting too much activity too soon may interfere with healing or damage surgical repairs.

Attend Follow-Up Appointments

Follow recommendations from orthopedic surgeons, therapists, trauma specialists, and other providers.

Photograph the Injuries and Recovery

Document casts, braces, external fixation, scars, mobility devices, and changes in function.

Preserve Medical and Employment Records

Keep:

• Medical bills

• Imaging reports

• Operative records

• Prescription receipts

• Work restrictions

• Pay records

• Travel expenses

• Insurance correspondence

Avoid a Premature Settlement

Do not resolve the claim before understanding:

• Whether the bones have healed

• Whether more surgery is needed

• Whether arthritis is developing

• Whether hardware may require removal

• Whether the victim can return to work

• The extent of permanent impairment

Contact a Truck Wreck Lawyer Promptly

Early legal involvement can help preserve truck data, obtain video, investigate the carrier, and document the long-term effect of the injuries.

How The Wooley Law Firm Handles Multiple-Fracture Claims

A serious orthopedic case requires more than sending hospital bills to an insurance adjuster.

Depending on the facts, The Wooley Law Firm may:

• Investigate the collision

• Obtain the crash report

• Send evidence-preservation demands

• Secure electronic truck data

• Identify the driver and motor carrier

• Investigate cargo-loading companies

• Review driver qualification records

• Examine hours-of-service evidence

• Obtain maintenance and inspection records

• Locate witnesses

• Obtain available video footage

• Analyze orthopedic and surgical records

• Document future medical needs

• Calculate lost wages

• Evaluate reduced earning capacity

• Investigate available insurance coverage

• Consult qualified experts

• File suit when necessary

• Prepare the case for trial

The goal is to determine why the wreck happened, identify every responsible party, and demonstrate how the fractures and orthopedic injuries changed the victim’s health, work, mobility, and future.

Dallas-Fort Worth Multiple-Fracture and Orthopedic Injury Lawyer

The Wooley Law Firm represents seriously injured people throughout:

• Dallas

• Fort Worth

• Arlington

• Irving

• Garland

• Mesquite

• Richardson

• Plano

• Frisco

• McKinney

• Allen

• Denton

• Lewisville

• Carrollton

• Grand Prairie

• Grapevine

• Mansfield

• Keller

• Southlake

• North Texas

We also handle serious truck and commercial-vehicle injury cases throughout Texas.

If you or a loved one suffered multiple fractures, joint damage, orthopedic trauma, or the need for reconstructive surgery after an 18-wheeler wreck, call 214-699-6524.

You can also learn more by visiting our Dallas truck accident lawyer page.

Your consultation is free and confidential. You do not pay attorney’s fees unless we obtain a recovery for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Multiple Fractures

Can an 18-wheeler wreck cause several fractures at the same time?

Yes. A high-energy truck collision may cause multiple fractures and other serious injuries during the same impact.

What is a comminuted fracture?

A comminuted fracture occurs when a bone breaks into multiple fragments. These injuries may require surgical fixation and bone grafting.

What is an open or compound fracture?

An open fracture occurs when the broken bone or injury creates an open wound through the skin. These fractures have a greater risk of infection and may require emergency surgery and antibiotics.

Why are pelvic fractures dangerous?

Pelvic fractures may cause major internal bleeding and may injure nearby organs, nerves, and blood vessels. High-energy pelvic fractures require urgent evaluation.

Will I need surgery for a fracture?

Not every fracture requires surgery. Surgery may be needed when the fracture is displaced, unstable, open, involves a joint, damages surrounding structures, or cannot be properly aligned with a cast.

What is internal fixation?

Internal fixation uses plates, screws, rods, pins, or similar devices to hold broken bones in the correct position while they heal.

Can a fracture cause permanent arthritis?

Yes. A fracture that damages a joint surface may lead to post-traumatic arthritis, chronic pain, stiffness, and the possible need for future joint replacement.

What if the bone does not heal properly?

A delayed union, nonunion, or malunion may require additional surgery, new hardware, bone grafting, or other treatment.

Can I recover compensation for future joint-replacement surgery?

Future surgery may be included in a claim when supported by medical evidence showing that it is reasonably necessary because of the truck-wreck injuries.

Can I recover compensation if I cannot return to my former job?

A victim may be able to pursue lost wages and loss of earning capacity when multiple fractures or orthopedic limitations reduce the ability to perform prior work.

What if I had arthritis or an old fracture before the wreck?

A preexisting condition does not automatically prevent recovery. The issue may be whether the collision caused a new injury or aggravated the prior condition.

How long do I have to file a truck-accident claim in Texas?

Texas law imposes deadlines on personal-injury claims. Different or shorter notice requirements may apply when a government-owned truck or public entity is involved.

Truck data, video, and physical evidence may disappear long before the filing deadline, so the investigation should begin promptly.

How much does it cost to hire The Wooley Law Firm?

The Wooley Law Firm handles personal-injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. You pay no upfront attorney’s fee and owe no attorney’s fee unless the firm obtains a recovery for you.

Speak With a Dallas-Fort Worth Truck Wreck Lawyer

Multiple fractures can affect nearly every part of a person’s life.

You may be facing repeated surgeries, months without bearing weight, painful rehabilitation, permanent hardware, arthritis, reduced mobility, and an inability to return to your former work. Meanwhile, the trucking company and its insurer may already be collecting evidence and preparing to minimize your claim.

You deserve someone protecting your interests.

Call The Wooley Law Firm at 214-699-6524 for a free consultation about multiple fractures or orthopedic injuries caused by a Dallas-Fort Worth truck wreck.

You do not pay attorney’s fees unless we win.

Disclaimer:

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Multiple fractures, open fractures, spinal injuries, pelvic fractures, loss of circulation, and severe swelling may be medical emergencies. Call 911 or seek immediate medical care after a serious collision. Reading this article or contacting The Wooley Law Firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Legal deadlines may apply, so you should consult a qualified Texas attorney regarding your specific circumstances.