Broken Femur After a Car Accident in Texas? We’re Here to Help You Recover.
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In Texas — especially in busy cities like Houston — car crashes cause serious injuries every day. In fact, each year hundreds of thousands of people are injured in Texas crashes, and many suffer broken bones. If you suffered a broken or fractured femur in a Texas car accident, you’re likely in pain, facing a long recovery, and wondering about your legal options. A femur fracture is one of the most serious broken leg injuries and often requires extensive treatment. You may be asking: What is the average compensation for a broken femur after a car accident? How long will recovery take? Who will pay my medical bills? The Adley Law Firm can help. Our Houston personal injury attorneys serve clients across Texas, working on a contingency fee basis (so you pay nothing unless we win) and offering free consultations. Hablamos español – we speak Spanish and are ready to assist in your preferred language.
Average Payout for a Broken Femur in a Car Accident
Broken femur car accident settlements can vary widely. There is no single “standard” payout, because every case depends on the circumstances. However, broken femur injuries tend to result in higher compensation than many other broken bone injuries due to the severity and long recovery involved. The average settlement for a broken femur injury in Texas can be around $50,000 to $175,000. A relatively minor fracture with straightforward treatment might settle toward the lower end (five figures), while a severe broken femur case with complications can reach six figures or even seven figures in rare instances.
It’s important to understand that these figures are ballpark ranges, not guarantees. Every case is unique. Settlement value depends on factors like who was at fault, how much insurance is available, how serious your injury is, and the impact on your life. For example, a settlement for a broken femur requiring a rod and screws (surgery) will generally be higher than a settlement for a broken femur that healed with just a cast.
Your Legal Rights After a Broken Femur Car Accident in Texas
Suffering a broken femur in a crash is painful and disruptive, but you do have legal rights. Texas is an “at-fault” state for car accidents, meaning that the driver or party responsible for the crash is liable for the damages. If another driver’s negligence caused your accident – for example, they were speeding, texting, intoxicated, or violated a traffic law – then you have the right to pursue a claim against that driver (and their insurance company) to recover compensation for your losses. This includes reimbursement for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses, as well as money for your pain and suffering. In a recent year, there were over 15,000 crashes in Texas involving serious injuries, with nearly 18,752 people sustaining a serious injury. If you are one of these injured victims, Texas law allows you to seek justice and financial recovery from the at-fault party.
Key legal rights and principles for Texas car accident victims with broken femurs include:
- The Right to Compensation for Damages: You are entitled to claim damages for all losses resulting from the accident. This typically includes:
- Medical expenses: Emergency room care, hospitalization, surgery (such as rod and screw fixation for your femur), medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy, follow-up doctor visits, and any future medical needs related to the injury.
- Lost income: Wages lost while you cannot work during recovery, and if the injury affects your long-term earning capacity (for example, if you cannot return to the same job or have permanent limitations, this loss of earning capacity should be compensated).
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, and mental anguish endured due to the broken femur and the recovery process. A femur fracture is extremely painful and often entails a long recovery period (typically 4 to 6 months or more), so pain and suffering damages can be significant.
- Physical impairment and scarring: If your injury causes any lasting impairment (for instance, difficulty walking, a limp, or reduced mobility) or noticeable scars from surgery, you may receive compensation for the loss of quality of life and disfigurement.
- Other expenses: Any out-of-pocket costs incurred because of the accident and injury, such as transportation to medical appointments, the cost of hiring help for household chores or childcare you cannot do while injured, home modifications (e.g. installing a wheelchair ramp if needed), etc.
- Right to pursue a claim or lawsuit: You have the right to file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Texas law requires drivers to carry liability insurance (at least $30,000 per injured person in a crash, which is the minimum coverage). If the driver who hit you has insurance, their policy should cover your injury up to the policy limits. If your damages exceed those limits or the driver was uninsured, you may turn to your own policy (for example, if you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage) or file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. An experienced attorney can help identify all available sources of compensation.
- Texas comparative fault rules: Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule (sometimes called the “51% bar”). This means you can still recover compensation even if you were at fault for the accident, as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault (perhaps you were slightly speeding) and the other driver was 80% at fault, you could recover 80% of your total damages. If you are found 51% or more responsible, you cannot recover anything from the other party. Insurance companies often try to pin some blame on the victim to reduce payouts, so having a lawyer to defend your rights under these rules is important.
- Evidence and proving negligence: To enforce your rights, you (or your lawyer) will need to prove that the other party was negligent and caused your injury. This involves gathering evidence such as the police accident report, witness statements, photographs of the scene and vehicle damage, any available video footage, and expert analysis if needed (for example, an accident reconstruction if fault is disputed). Fortunately, a broken femur from a high-impact crash is strong evidence of a severe collision; pairing that with evidence of the other driver’s wrongdoing (like citations for traffic violations) will support your claim.
- Statute of limitations: Texas law imposes a time limit for taking legal action. In most car accident injury cases (including broken femur injuries), you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you fail to file within this statute of limitations, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation through the courts. (There are very limited exceptions, such as if the victim is a minor, but do not rely on exceptions – it’s best to act promptly.) This is why it’s crucial to consult an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and not let the deadline slip by.
Factors That Affect Broken Femur Settlement Amounts
Every broken femur car accident claim is different. Several important factors will influence the settlement amount for your broken femur case. Understanding these factors can help you and your attorney evaluate the potential value of your claim:
- Clear liability vs. disputed fault: If it is clear that another party was 100% at fault for the accident (for example, you were hit while stopped at a red light by a drunk driver), your case for compensation is strong. However, if fault is disputed or both parties share some blame, it can reduce the settlement value. As noted above, Texas law will reduce your compensation by your share of fault, and if there’s a risk a jury might find you significantly at fault, the insurance company may offer less. Establishing clear negligence on the other driver’s part with solid evidence (police report, witness testimony, etc.) will help maximize your settlement.
- Insurance coverage limits: The amount of available insurance coverage is a practical limit on recovery in many cases. The at-fault driver’s liability insurance will only pay up to its policy limits. Texas drivers are required to have at least $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, but many carry higher limits (such as $100,000 or more) or have umbrella policies. If your damages exceed the other driver’s limits, recovering more may require tapping other sources: the at-fault driver’s personal assets (which is often not feasible), or your own underinsured motorist coverage if you have it. A high policy limit generally allows a higher settlement. Conversely, if the at-fault driver has only minimum coverage and no assets, it could cap what you realistically recover (though your attorney can help explore options).
- Severity of the fracture: The nature of your broken femur injury will heavily influence value. A simple (closed) fracture that is clean and aligns well might be serious, but an open (compound) fracture or a comminuted fracture (bone shattered into pieces) is even more severe. Multiple fractures (e.g. femur plus other bones broken) also increase a case’s value. Generally, the more severe and traumatic the injury, the higher the compensation, because pain is greater, recovery is longer, and the risk of complications (infection, permanent impairment) is higher. Insurance companies and juries often correlate serious injuries with higher awards.
- Medical treatment required: The type and extent of treatment you undergo will directly impact your claim’s value. A broken femur often requires emergency surgery known as ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation) where surgeons realign the bone and secure it with hardware (such as a metal rod or nail in the bone and screws or plates). This is an invasive procedure with significant costs. Cases involving surgery (especially multiple surgeries) typically settle for more than cases that only require nonsurgical treatment (casting, traction, etc.). The need for a rod and screws not only increases medical bills but also indicates a more serious injury, which comes with greater pain and risk. Extensive physical therapy or rehabilitation needs after surgery will also raise the value of the claim. All medical bills (past and expected future) are part of your damages, so higher medical costs = higher potential settlement.
- Recovery time and long-term effects: A broken femur is a major injury that can take many months to heal. Recovery commonly takes around 4 to 6 months for the bone to mend, and in some cases even longer if there are complications. During this time, you may be non-weight-bearing on that leg, require mobility aids (wheelchair, crutches), and be unable to work. If your recovery is prolonged or if you experience long-term effects (like chronic pain, arthritis in the knee/hip, muscle weakness, or a slight permanent limp), these factors increase your pain and suffering and potentially reduce your earning capacity. Settlements will account for the length and difficulty of your recovery and any permanent disabilities. Someone who makes a full recovery in 4 months may receive less than someone who has lasting issues or a year-long recovery.
- Impact on your work and daily life: The settlement should reflect how the injury affected your life. If you are an active worker and you had to miss six months of work, that lost income (and possibly lost promotion opportunities or use of sick leave) is a significant damage. If you cannot return to the same job (for instance, if your job is physically demanding and the injury prevents you from heavy labor), you may claim loss of earning capacity for the future. Even outside of work, think about activities you missed: if you could not take care of your children, do household tasks, or had to quit hobbies (like sports or even simple activities like driving for a period of time), these life impacts factor into pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life. The more dramatically your life was disrupted
- Impact on your work and daily life: The settlement should reflect how the injury affected your day-to-day life. If you had to miss work for an extended period (or can’t return to your prior job at all), that loss of income and opportunity will increase your claim’s value. Likewise, if the broken femur has prevented you from performing daily activities or hobbies – for example, if you couldn’t care for your children, drive, or participate in sports or exercise for months – those lifestyle impacts translate into higher pain and suffering damages. The more dramatically your life was disrupted, the greater the compensation tends to be for those intangible losses. Someone who misses only a couple of weeks of work and recovers fully may receive less than someone who is out for many months and experiences ongoing limitations.
- Your health and pre-existing conditions: Your overall health at the time of the crash can also play a role. If you have any pre-existing conditions or prior injuries (for instance, osteoporosis or a previous leg injury), the insurance company might argue that your bone was fragile or that part of your disability was pre-existing rather than caused entirely by the accident. While such arguments can complicate the case, under Texas law you are still entitled to recover for the aggravation or worsening of any pre-existing condition. An accident can turn a manageable condition into a serious problem – and you deserve compensation for that. An experienced attorney will help counter any attempts by the insurer to unfairly reduce your claim due to your medical history.
These are some of the main factors that affect broken femur car accident settlement amounts. Every case has many variables, and insurance adjusters will look at all the details. Because so many factors are in play, it’s wise to get a personalized case evaluation. A knowledgeable Texas personal injury lawyer can analyze how these factors apply to your situation and give you an idea of your claim’s potential value. In the next section, we discuss how Adley Law Firm can assist you with this process and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
How Adley Law Firm Can Help
Dealing with a serious injury claim on your own can be overwhelming. This is where the Adley Law Firm comes in. Our firm, based in Houston, Texas, has extensive experience representing car accident victims with severe injuries like broken femurs. We understand the immense challenges you’re facing – from physical pain and mounting medical bills to lost income and insurance company tactics. Our job is to take the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.
Experience with serious injuries: We have handled cases involving broken bones and other catastrophic injuries. We know how to properly value a broken femur claim, including accounting for future medical needs and lifelong impacts. Our attorneys will gather all the evidence needed to build a compelling case that proves the other driver’s fault and demonstrates the full extent of your damages. We work with medical experts, review your records, and, if needed, consult economists or life-care planners to calculate future costs associated with your injury.
Negotiation and litigation: Adley Law Firm will deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. Insurers often pressure accident victims to settle quickly for a low amount – especially when they see someone with high medical bills and lost wages. We won’t let them take advantage of you. Our lawyers are skilled negotiators who will push for a fair broken femur car accident settlement that fully compensates you. If the insurer won’t offer a fair amount, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and take the case to court. Our trial attorneys are aggressive advocates for our clients in front of Texas juries. Insurance companies know our reputation and that serious attorneys mean business, which often motivates them to offer a better settlement.
Statewide service – we are here for you anywhere in Texas: While our office is in Houston, we proudly serve clients all over Texas. Whether your crash happened in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, or a small town in Texas, we can help. We have the resources to investigate and handle cases statewide. Distance is not an issue – we can often arrange virtual meetings or travel as necessary to make sure every Texan has access to quality legal representation after a car accident.
No fee unless we win (contingency fee): We understand that after an accident, finances are tight. You may be unable to work and facing huge medical expenses. The last thing you need is to worry about how to pay for a lawyer. That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and absolutely no legal fees unless and until we recover money for you. Our payment is a percentage of the settlement or verdict, agreed upon in advance. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing. This arrangement allows high-quality legal help with no financial risk.
Free consultation and bilingual support: We offer a free initial consultation to evaluate your broken femur accident case. This is a no-obligation case review where we’ll listen to what happened, answer your questions, and explain your options. We’ll give you an honest assessment of your case’s strengths and potential value. Additionally, our team is bilingual. Se habla español – we speak Spanish and can assist clients in either English or Spanish. We believe language should not be a barrier to justice. Our staff will make sure you or your loved one fully understand the legal process in your preferred language.
At Adley Law Firm, our mission is to advocate for injured Texans and secure the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. We handle the heavy lifting – investigating the crash, dealing with insurance adjusters, filing paperwork, and fighting in court if required – while you focus on your recovery. With our experience, resources, and compassionate approach, you can trust that your case is in good hands.
