Wrist and Hand Injuries from Car Accidents
Hand and wrist injuries are common consequences of car accidents, often caused by the force of the impact. Like other auto accident injuries, hand and wrist injuries can be very serious and significantly impact the quality of the victim’s life.
The symptoms of hand injuries are often immediate, and may include pain, swelling and bruising. Wrist and hand injuries are typically diagnosed with x-rays and treated like similar orthopedic injuries. The bones will be set and immobilized, allowing them time to heal. Some hand fractures can be realigned without using a surgical incision, while others will need surgical intervention. Pins, wires and plates may also be used to treat a hand injury to secure bone fragments together when the bone is fractured in multiple places. Physical therapy may also be recommended to ensure a full recovery from a broken wrist or hand.
Types of Hand & Wrist Injuries
Blunt force trauma and broken car parts, such as glass or metal debris, can harm your hand and wrist during a motor vehicle collision. Common injuries include but are not limited to:
- Fractures: The trauma of the crash can often cause broken bones to the hand and wrist. A broken wrist, for instance, is one of the most common injuries sustained after a car accident. A scaphoid fracture, which is the breaking of the small bone in the wrist, is another common injury.
- Joint Dislocation: There are multiple joints in your hand that may become dislocated after a severe car accident. If it is not properly treated right away, it may result in permanent damage to the hand.
- Puncture Wounds: Car wreck debris can pierce parts of the hand or wrist, potentially causing serious harm. These wounds need to be treated properly to reduce the risk of infection.
- Amputations: In severe cases where parts of the hand are crushed or catastrophically damaged in car crashes, the victims may sustain finger or hand amputations.
- Ligament Injuries: Ligaments can be severely damaged in the event of an auto accident. Ligament injuries impact the movement of the hand and wrist.
Hand injuries in car accidents can result in costly medical bills from treatment procedures and physical therapy. Furthermore, while a hand or wrist heals, the victim may need time away from work, resulting in lost wages. In serious cases, the car accident victim may not be able to perform the work they used to carry out due to the damage done to their hand or wrist, thereby suffering a loss of earning capacity. If you or a loved one has sustained an injury in a car accident, you may be able to recover compensation for these and other losses resulting from the car crash.
Speak with an Auto Injury Attorney Today
Contact our office to speak with one of our skilled auto accident attorneys about your case. This case evaluation is offered to you at no cost. Simply call 212-736-5300 or email us for a FREE legal consultation.
We have recovered substantial verdicts and settlements on behalf of New York auto accident victims, including a $2.8 million auto accident settlement for a pedestrian who suffered a left thumb fracture, among other injuries, when a vehicle turned over and rolled onto the sidewalk.
Other notable results for car crash victims who suffered hand and wrist injuries include:
- $2,750,000 settlement for a pedestrian who suffered a triangular fibrocartilage tear and radioulnar joint dislocation to her left wrist among other injuries after an auto accident
- $2,550,000 recovery for four women who were involved in a car crash. One of them sustained a left wrist fracture while another suffered from laceration with foreign bodies in the left hand.
- $2,250,000 in compensation for a car crash victim who suffered multiple fractures, including a wrist fracture that needed surgical repair
- $1,650,000 settlement for a driver who sustained a fractured hand, which required open reduction and internal fixation
- $1,281,000 settlement for a car passenger who suffered a metacarpal fracture in his right (dominant) hand after a vehicle collision
For a full list of our motor vehicle accident results, visit our Auto Accident Verdicts & Settlements section of our site. Call 212-736-5300 to speak with an attorney today.