Did You Suffer a Broken Wrist From a Car Accident?
A car accident can leave victims with a wide range of injuries. Some may not be immediately apparent. One common injury that can go unrecognized after a crash is a broken wrist.
The forces created during a car accident can lead to severe impacts, jolts, or sudden movements of the wrist. These forces can cause the wrist bones to fracture. Fractures may occur from direct trauma to the wrist, such as hitting the steering wheel or dashboard, or indirect trauma transmitted through the arm during the collision.
What are the different types of wrist fractures?
The wrist is a complex joint composed of eight small carpal bones. These bones, along with the two bones of the forearm (the radius and ulna), form the wrist joint. Ligaments and tendons connect these bones, enabling a wide range of movements necessary for everyday activities.
Types of wrist fractures include:
- Colles fracture: This is the most common type of wrist fracture, characterized by a break in the distal radius bone near the wrist joint. These fractures often result from falling on an outstretched hand during an accident.
- Smith’s fracture: This occurs when the distal radius bone is broken in the opposite direction, toward the palm. This can happen due to forced flexion of the wrist during impact.
- Scaphoid fracture: The scaphoid bone is one of the carpal bones located on the thumb side of the wrist. A scaphoid fracture can occur due to the force transmitted through the wrist during a car accident.
- Barton’s fracture: This is a more severe injury involving the dislocation of the wrist joint and the fracture of the radius or ulna bones.
Symptoms of a broken wrist
Recognizing the signs of a wrist fracture after a car accident is important. For example:
- Intense pain and swelling at the site of the injury are typical signs of a wrist fracture.
- The injured area may exhibit bruising and discoloration due to blood vessel damage.
- Difficulty moving the wrist or gripping objects may indicate a fracture.
- A visibly misaligned wrist or a bent appearance may indicate a severe fracture.
- The injured area may be sensitive to touch or pressure.
It can also be easy to overlook a wrist fracture. The body releases adrenaline in response to a crash, and pain may be masked. There can be a delayed onset of pain. You could have multiple injuries and not realize you have a broken wrist. Also, wrist fractures can vary in severity and symptoms.
That’s why it’s a good idea to always get medical attention if you’ve been involved in a crash. Then, you should talk to an experienced car accident lawyer to review your potential legal options.
An attorney can help you recover compensation
Treatment for a wrist fracture may include casting or splinting, surgery, physical therapy, and medication. You may also have to miss time from work, resulting in lost income.
If you suffered a wrist fracture or another injury in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, you deserve financial compensation. But the claims process can be complicated. Negligent drivers deny doing anything wrong. And insurance companies will try to pay you as little as possible.
The experienced car accident attorneys at Burns, Bryant, Cox, Rockefeller & Durkin, P.A. in New Hampshire are ready to fight for you. We build strong cases that insurance companies can’t ignore. To see how we can help with your potential legal case, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
