What Are The Warning Signs Of A Wrist Fracture After A Car Accident?

Identifying a broken wrist quickly is essential for timely and effective treatment

Car accidents are a leading cause of serious injuries, with Texas Department of Transportation data indicating that, on average, over 240,000 individuals suffer significant injuries in motor vehicle accidents each year within the state. Among these injuries, wrist fractures are particularly common due to the forces exerted during a collision.

If you suspect you have sustained a wrist fracture in a car accident, seeking medical attention is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. Prompt medical care not only facilitates better recovery but also documents your injury, which is essential if you're considering legal action for compensation.

Texas car accident attorney Coby L. Wooten of Coby L. Wooten, Attorney at Law, P.C. in Fort Worth emphasizes the importance of understanding these warning signs and taking immediate steps to address a potential wrist fracture. If your injury was caused by another driver's negligence, consulting with an experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal process to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other related expenses.

How common are wrist fractures in car wrecks?

According to the Yale School of Medicine, if you have a broken bone, there's a 10 percent chance it's a wrist fracture. When it comes to wrist fractures caused by auto accidents, traffic collisions consistently rank among the leading causes. In fact, one study identified motor vehicle crashes as one of the top four causes of wrist fractures.

This highlights how critical it is to seek prompt medical attention for wrist injuries following a crash. You could have sustained a wrist fracture without even realizing it, as symptoms may not always be immediately apparent. Ignoring or delaying treatment for a wrist fracture can lead to complications and prolonged recovery time. By seeking prompt medical attention, you can ensure proper diagnosis and timely treatment to facilitate a smoother road to recovery.

How do you break your wrist in a car accident?

Car accidents frequently lead to wrist fractures for several reasons. Some of the primary factors contributing to wrist fractures in car accidents include:

• The powerful impact of a motor vehicle collision can forcefully propel drivers and passengers into the dashboard or other parts of the car. This can result in the crushing of hands and arms, leading to wrist fractures and other broken bones.
• Airbags deploy rapidly and forcefully during a car wreck, often at speeds exceeding 200 mph within milliseconds. While airbags protect occupants, the force of deployment can cause bone fractures, particularly in the wrists, hands, arms, and face.
• Bracing for impact before a car accident, commonly known as a "fall on outstretched hand" (FOOSH), frequently results in wrist fractures. Although FOOSH injuries are often associated with falls, they can also occur in car accidents when occupants instinctively extend their arms to brace for impact.

Common types of wrist fractures

Wrist fractures caused by auto accidents can cover a wide range. Some of the most common types of broken wrist bones due to motor vehicle collisions include:

• Barton fracture – Compression fracture involving the radius bone, which is located in the radio-carpel joint in the wrist. Barton fractures often occur because the wrist is outstretched and pronated, which means the palm of the hand is facing downward.
• Colles fracture – This is a type of radius fracture involving the displacement of the wrist while the broken bone is also tilted upward. This is also a type of distal radius fracture, which is explained below.
• Distal radius fracture – Bone fracture involving the distal radius bone, the largest bone in the forearm and located near the wrist. There are two types of distal radius fractures – Colles fractures and Smith fractures, which are explained below.
• Scaphoid fracture – The scaphoid is the smallest bone in the wrist. Fractures involving the scaphoid bone are the most common type of wrist fracture and are often caused by the wrist hitting the steering wheel or another part of the car upon impact.
• Smith fracture – This is another type of distal radius fracture. Unlike a Colles fracture, the broken radius bone is titled downward when a Smith fracture occurs.

Wrist fracture symptoms

If you experience any of the following symptoms after a car accident, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention as you might have sustained a serious wrist fracture. Key symptoms to watch for include:

• Severe wrist pain: Look out for intense, possibly sharp pain in the wrist area. This could manifest as shooting pain or persistent discomfort that doesn't improve over time.
• Swelling: The wrist may swell significantly after the accident, making it visibly larger or more expanded than usual.
• Sensitivity and pain upon touch: The injured area may become extremely sensitive, with even light touches causing substantial pain.
• Visible deformity: One of the more alarming signs is if the bone in the wrist is protruding or if the wrist is bent in an unnatural direction.
• Mobility issues: Difficulty moving the wrist or a complete loss of mobility, indicating severe damage.

These symptoms not only suggest the presence of a fracture but could also indicate other complications that require prompt and comprehensive medical evaluation and treatment.

Diagnosing and treating a broken wrist

Physicians typically start with an X-ray of the wrist to diagnose a wrist fracture. Additional imaging tests like MRI scans or CT scans may also be conducted depending on the situation. A physical examination of the wrist is also a common part of the diagnostic process.

Once a wrist fracture is diagnosed, the treatment plan will vary based on the fracture's severity. Available treatments include:

• Casting: For many wrist fractures, immobilizing the wrist in a cast is a standard treatment to allow the bone to heal properly.
• Splinting: Sometimes, a splint may be used initially, especially if swelling is present. Splints can offer support and stability while allowing for some swelling.
• Surgery: Severe fractures may require surgical intervention to realign the bones. Surgery often involves the insertion of pins, screws, or rods to hold the fractured bones in place during healing.

Physical therapy is often recommended as part of the rehabilitation process once the wrist is sufficiently stabilized. This helps restore the injured wrist's range of motion, strength, and function.

These treatments can help to manage pain, promote healing, and restore function as effectively as possible, ensuring a smoother recovery for wrist fracture victims.

Pursuing an insurance claim for a broken wrist

Claims involving wrist fractures are complex because insurance companies often attempt to downplay the severity of the injury or shift blame onto the victim. They may dispute the cause of the fracture or argue that it existed before the accident, thereby minimizing their liability for compensation. Overcoming these obstacles often requires the knowledge and experience of a car accident attorney who knows how to deal with insurance company tactics to pay crash victims less.

Attorney Coby L. Wooten has years of experience handling complicated legal cases involving wrist fractures and other serious car accident injuries. He and his dedicated legal team can help you fight back against insurance company tactics and pursue the full compensation you deserve for your wrist fracture and related damages. To learn more, contact us today and schedule a free case evaluation. Our office is in Fort Worth, Texas, and we represent clients throughout Dallas-Fort Worth.

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