Motor Vehicle Accident Bone Fracture Lawsuits In Michigan
Bone fractures can change almost every part of your life. What seems like a simple injury at first can turn into a long recovery with surgeries, physical therapy, lost income, and lasting physical limits. Many people find that a fracture affects more than just the injured area. It can make it hard to work, care for family, drive, exercise, sleep well, or keep up with daily routines. Michigan law lets you seek compensation if someone else’s negligence caused your injury, but showing the full impact often takes careful planning and solid proof.
We help people across Michigan who have suffered broken bones in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, as well as pedestrian, bicycle, and slip and fall incidents. Insurance companies often undervalue these claims, thinking bones always heal and life goes back to normal. Sadly, that’s not always true. Many people still have pain, less movement, and other problems long after the injury. Knowing your rights under Michigan law can help you protect your health and your finances.
Bone Fractures Often Have Long-Term Consequences
Many people don’t realize how serious a broken bone can be. Some fractures heal in a few weeks, but others need months or even years of treatment before you recover as much as possible. Some breaks never fully heal and can leave lasting physical limits.
Serious fractures often need surgery. Doctors might use plates, screws, rods, or pins to hold the bone in place. Sometimes, more than one surgery is needed if there are problems or if the hardware has to be removed later. Even after surgery, people usually spend months in physical therapy to regain strength and movement.
Long-term problems are common too. Some people get arthritis near the injury, while others have ongoing pain, stiffness, nerve issues, or less movement. These problems can make daily life harder and affect your ability to work.
We make sure these long-term effects are included when we review your claim, because the real impact of a broken bone goes far beyond the first hospital visit.
Common Accidents That Cause Bone Fracture Injuries In Michigan
Car accidents are still one of the main reasons people get serious fractures in Michigan. Even crashes at low speeds can break bones in your arms, wrists, ribs, shoulders, ankles, or knees. High-speed crashes often cause several broken bones and very serious injuries.
Motorcyclists and pedestrians are at higher risk because they have little protection in a crash. A pedestrian hit by a car can have many broken bones. Motorcyclists often break their legs, hips, arms, or pelvis if they are thrown from their bikes.
Slip and fall accidents also cause many broken bones. Property owners must keep their spaces safe in certain situations. Hazards like broken stairs, slippery floors, uneven pavement, or poor lighting can lead to falls that break hips, wrists, ankles, or even cause spinal injuries.
Every accident requires an independent investigation because identifying who was responsible is often the foundation of a successful injury claim.
Michigan No-Fault Benefits Can Help After A Car Accident
Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Act, MCL 500.3101, provides important protections for people injured in motor vehicle accidents. Personal Injury Protection benefits, commonly called PIP benefits, may provide coverage for medical expenses, wage loss benefits, replacement services, and attendant care regardless of who caused the collision.
These benefits are especially important if you need surgery, a hospital stay, physical therapy, or ongoing care for a broken bone. If you have a serious leg fracture, you might not be able to work for months, so wage loss benefits can be a big help.
Unfortunately, insurance disputes frequently arise. Carriers may question whether additional therapy is necessary or whether future treatment should be covered. In some situations, insurers argue that a person’s recovery should have progressed faster than it actually has.
We help clients build strong medical evidence that demonstrates why ongoing care remains necessary. The more severe the fracture, the more important comprehensive documentation becomes.
When You Can Sue For Pain And Suffering Damages
Michigan law places limitations on when someone can pursue pain and suffering damages after a motor vehicle accident. Under MCL 500.3135, an injured person generally must establish death, permanent serious disfigurement, or a serious impairment of body function.
Many fractures qualify because they interfere with important body functions and substantially affect a person’s normal life. The courts look beyond the diagnosis itself and instead examine how the injury changes a person’s daily activities.
For example, a fractured ankle may have a different impact on an office worker than it would on a construction worker, nurse, firefighter, or warehouse employee. A person whose career depends on physical mobility may suffer much greater consequences from the same injury.
Insurance companies often fight these claims aggressively because pain and suffering damages can represent a substantial portion of the case value. Building a strong claim requires demonstrating exactly how the injury has disrupted the person’s life.
Comparative Fault Can Reduce Compensation
Michigan follows a modified comparative fault system under MCL 600.2959. This means an injured person’s compensation may be reduced if they share responsibility for causing the accident.
Insurance companies frequently attempt to shift blame whenever possible. In a car accident, they may argue that an injured driver was speeding, distracted, or failed to react appropriately before the collision. In a slip and fall case, they may argue that the person was not paying attention to their surroundings.
Even when some responsibility exists, compensation may still be available. However, any damages awarded may be reduced according to the person’s percentage of fault. If an injured person is found more than 50 percent responsible, they may be barred from recovering non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
This is one reason why preserving evidence early is so important. Witness statements, photographs, surveillance footage, and accident reports can help protect against unfair fault allegations.
The Value Of A Bone Fracture Claim Depends On Many Factors
There is no standard settlement amount for a broken bone injury in Michigan. Every case is unique because every injury affects people differently.
We evaluate factors such as the type of fracture, the number of surgeries required, future treatment needs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, permanent limitations, and the overall effect on daily life. Younger individuals may face decades of future complications, while older adults may experience more difficult recoveries and additional medical risks.
We also examine emotional losses. Serious injuries can lead to frustration, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. A person who once enjoyed an active lifestyle may struggle emotionally when they can no longer participate in the activities they love. Building a complete picture of these losses helps ensure all damages are properly considered.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bone Fractuce Claims In Michigan
Can A Bone Fracture Be Considered A Serious Injury In Michigan?
Yes. Many fractures qualify as serious injuries under Michigan law. The analysis focuses on how the injury affects an important body function and how it impacts your ability to live your normal life. Surgical procedures, long recovery periods, permanent limitations, and ongoing pain can strengthen these claims.
What Types Of Fractured Bones Lead To The Largest Claims?
Hip fractures, spinal fractures, pelvic fractures, compound fractures, multiple fractures, and injuries requiring surgery often involve substantial damage. However, even smaller fractures can become significant cases if they prevent someone from working or cause lasting limitations.
Will Michigan No-Fault Insurance Pay For My Medical Treatment?
Michigan’s No-Fault law under MCL 500.3101 may provide Personal Injury Protection benefits that cover medical expenses and other economic losses after a motor vehicle accident. Insurance disputes sometimes arise regarding ongoing treatment, making proper documentation extremely important.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Needed Surgery?
Yes. Surgical intervention often increases the overall value of a claim because it demonstrates the severity of the injury and frequently results in longer recovery periods, higher medical expenses, and greater physical limitations.
What If I Already Had Arthritis Before The Accident?
Pre-existing conditions do not automatically prevent recovery. If the accident worsened an existing condition or accelerated its progression, you may still be entitled to compensation. Medical records often become important in distinguishing between pre-existing issues and new injuries.
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. Certain insurance deadlines may arise much sooner, particularly with No-Fault benefits, which is why it is important to act promptly.
Talk To Ravid & Associates, P.C. About Your Michigan Bone Fracture Injury Claim
A bone fracture can create lasting physical, emotional, and financial challenges. We work to build strong cases that fully account for both immediate and future damages while holding negligent parties accountable for the harm they caused. Our goal is to help injury victims pursue compensation that truly reflects how these injuries have changed their lives.
If you suffered a broken bone because of someone else’s negligence, contact our Detroit accident injury lawyers at Ravid & Associates, P.C. today by calling (248) 948-9696 to receive your free consultation. We represent injury victims in Detroit and throughout the entire state of Michigan from our office locations in Southfield, Michigan. Let us help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
