Broken Bone Injury Claims In Michigan
A broken bone might seem simple, but it can change your life in many ways. What starts as a fracture can lead to months of medical care, lost wages, physical therapy, and worries about what comes next. Many people do not realize how much a serious fracture can disrupt daily life until it happens to them. Everyday tasks like driving, working, climbing stairs, lifting, or caring for children can suddenly become hard or even impossible. Some fractures heal fully, but others leave lasting pain, permanent limits, or arthritis that shows up years later.
We help people in Detroit and across Michigan who have broken bones because someone else was careless. Whether your injury happened in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, as a pedestrian or cyclist, or from a slip and fall, Michigan law may let you seek compensation. Insurance companies often try to downplay these injuries, treating them as minor and short-term. We show how these injuries truly affect your life, so you can go after the compensation you deserve.
Broken Bone Injuries Are Often More Serious Than People Realize
When people hear “broken bone,” they often think a cast will fix everything in a few weeks. But for many, it is not that simple. Serious fractures can mean surgery, metal implants, months of rehab, and many doctor visits before you get back even part of your old abilities.
Some people suffer compound fractures, where the bone breaks through the skin. This raises the risk of infection and long-term problems. Others have crushed bones, displaced fractures, or breaks near joints that can change how they move forever. Older adults often face additional challenges, as healing takes longer and can lead to more health issues.
We often meet clients who thought they would heal quickly, but later found out their injuries would affect them for years. Broken bones can cause lasting pain, less strength, stiffness, arthritis, and limits that make work and daily life harder.
Common Accidents That Cause Broken Bone Injuries In Michigan
Car accidents are still a top cause of serious broken bones in Michigan. Even a crash at moderate speed puts a lot of stress on your body. Drivers often brace for impact, which can break arms, wrists, or shoulders. Legs, hips, ribs, and back bones are also at risk in bigger crashes.
Pedestrians and motorcyclists often get worse fractures because they do not have a vehicle to protect them. A person hit by a car might break several bones, and motorcycle riders often break their legs, arms, or pelvis if they are thrown from their bikes.
Slip-and-fall accidents can cause injuries, too. A fall might seem minor, but landing the wrong way can break a hip, wrist, or ankle. These injuries are especially tough for older adults, who often need a long time to recover and may face more health problems.
Regardless of how the accident occurred, establishing liability requires identifying who acted negligently and gathering evidence before it disappears.
Michigan No-Fault Benefits May Help Cover Certain Expenses
Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Act, MCL 500.3101, provides important protections for individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits may cover medical expenses, wage loss benefits, replacement services, and attendant care expenses, regardless of who caused the collision.
These benefits become extremely important when a fracture requires surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and extensive rehabilitation. A severe fracture can quickly generate substantial expenses, particularly if a person cannot return to work for several months.
Unfortunately, obtaining these benefits is not always easy. Insurance companies often question the necessity of certain treatments, dispute ongoing therapy, or challenge future medical recommendations. We regularly help clients address these disputes and present evidence demonstrating why continued treatment is medically necessary.
Prompt medical care also strengthens a claim because it creates a clear connection between the accident and the injury. Delays in treatment can create opportunities for insurers to argue that the fracture is unrelated or less severe than claimed.
When You Can Sue For Pain And Suffering In Michigan
Michigan’s No-Fault system does not automatically allow every accident victim to sue for pain and suffering damages. Under MCL 500.3135, an injured person generally must demonstrate that they suffered death, permanent serious disfigurement, or a serious impairment of body function.
Many broken bone injuries satisfy this legal threshold. The law considers whether the injury affects a vital body function and whether that impairment impairs the person’s ability to live their normal life. A fracture that requires surgery, prevents someone from working, or permanently limits mobility may qualify.
Insurance companies often argue about whether a fracture is serious enough. They might say the injury healed fine or that any lasting problems are not from the accident. That is why having detailed medical records, scans, surgery reports, and doctor opinions is so important to prove how serious the injury is.
We build your case by showing how the injury has changed your daily life, work, physical abilities, and future opportunities.
Comparative Fault Can Affect Your Compensation
Michigan follows a modified comparative fault system under MCL 600.2959. This means an injured person’s compensation can be reduced if they share responsibility for the accident.
For example, one driver might have been speeding while another ran a red light, so both share some blame. If a jury finds you were 20 percent at fault, your compensation would be reduced by that amount.
If an injured person is found more than 50 percent responsible, they may lose the ability to recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Because of this rule, insurance companies frequently try to shift blame onto injury victims whenever possible.
We often see insurers argue that someone was distracted, failed to react quickly enough, or contributed to the accident in some way. Early investigation, witness interviews, surveillance footage, and crash reconstruction can all become important in limiting unfair fault allegations.
Damages Available In A Michigan Broken Bone Injury Claim
The value of a broken bone injury claim extends far beyond the initial emergency room visit. Many victims face financial consequences for months or years after the accident.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include current and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, physical impairment, emotional distress, and permanent disability. Future damages are particularly important because some fractures lead to lifelong complications.
We also evaluate how the injury affects a person’s profession. Someone who works in construction, manufacturing, healthcare, or another physically demanding field may face substantial economic losses if they cannot return to their previous occupation.
Every case requires a thorough evaluation because two people with similar fractures may experience vastly different long-term outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Broken Bone Injury Claims In Michigan
Can A Broken Bone Really Lead To A Significant Personal Injury Case?
Yes. Some broken bone injuries become very significant cases because the financial and physical consequences can be extensive. Surgeries, rehabilitation, lost income, permanent restrictions, and chronic pain all increase the impact of these injuries. Insurance companies sometimes minimize fractures because they assume bones eventually heal, but many victims continue experiencing problems for years after the accident.
What Types Of Fractures Tend To Lead To Larger Claims?
Hip fractures, spinal fractures, pelvic fractures, compound fractures, multiple fractures, and fractures requiring surgery often involve more substantial damage. The severity of the injury, the amount of medical treatment required, and any permanent limitations all influence the value of the case.
Does Every Broken Bone Qualify For Pain And Suffering Damages In Michigan?
No. Under MCL 500.3135, an injury generally must qualify as a serious impairment of body function. The analysis focuses on how the injury affects your normal life. Many fractures satisfy this standard, but every situation must be evaluated individually.
What If I Needed Metal Plates, Screws, Or Rods?
Surgical hardware often indicates a more serious injury. In many cases, these devices remain in the body permanently. Some individuals experience discomfort, reduced mobility, or future complications associated with implanted hardware. These factors may increase the overall value of the claim.
How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit In Michigan?
Michigan generally imposes a three-year statute of limitations under MCL 600.5805 for personal injury lawsuits. However, certain insurance deadlines arise much sooner, especially for No-Fault benefits. Waiting too long can harm your case and may eliminate important legal rights.
Should I Hire A Lawyer If My Fracture Seems Straightforward?
Yes. Even seemingly straightforward fracture cases can become complicated when insurance companies dispute liability, treatment recommendations, or long-term damages. Early involvement often helps preserve evidence and protect your claim.
Talk To Ravid & Associates, P.C. About Your Michigan Broken Bone Injury Claim
A broken bone can affect your health, your income, and your future long after the initial accident. We work to identify every available source of compensation while building a case that fully reflects the impact these injuries have had on your life. Our goal is to help injured individuals protect their rights while holding negligent parties accountable.
If you suffered a broken bone because of someone else’s negligence, call Ravid & Associates, P.C. at (248) 948-9696 for a free consultation. We represent injury victims in Detroit and throughout Michigan from our Southfield office. Let us help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call our Detroit car accident attorneys at Ravid & Associates, P.C. today by calling (248) 948-9696 to receive your free consultation.
