A wrist fracture is an often overlooked yet incredibly painful injury that can happen in Spokane car accidents. Still, they are incredibly common, especially when the force of the impact causes the your hand or arm to be thrown forward and make contact with a hard surface, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or window.
Any type of fracture in a car accident can result in health issues that last well after the initial accident. That’s why it’s important to understand the recovery process, both physically and legally.
Experienced Spokane Car Accident Lawyers
If you or someone you care about suffers injuries in a car accident in Spokane, it can lead to significant medical expenses and other losses. In such circumstances, seeking legal assistance can be essential to your recovery.
Our skilled Spokane car accident lawyers at CCD Law has been providing clients with vital legal assistance and advice since 1948. Contact us today to set up a free initial consultation and take the first step towards taking control of your recovery.
What You Should Know About Wrist Fractures
A wrist fracture is not only incredibly painful, but given its placement on the body and various tendons and muscles, it’s essential to the function of your arms and hands. This means that suffering a wrist fracture has the potential to be life-changing. More to the point, there are specific types of wrist fractures that can be more impactful. The type of wrist fracture that happens to you in a car accident depends on various factors, like:
- The location of the break
- The direction and force of the impact
- Your age and health
Some common types of wrist fractures that can happen in a car accident include:
- Colles fracture – This is the most common type of wrist fracture and occurs when the radius bone in the forearm breaks at the wrist joint. This type of fracture often happens when the hand hits a hard surface with the palm facing upwards.
- Smith fracture – The opposite of a Colles fracture, a Smith fracture occurs when the radius bone breaks at the wrist joint with the palm facing downwards. This type of fracture may occur when the hand hits a hard surface with the palm facing downwards.
- Scaphoid fracture – This is a type of fracture that involves the scaphoid bone, which is a small bone in the wrist. It often occurs when the wrist is twisted, and it can be challenging to diagnose.
- Triquetral fracture – Sometimes, a car accident causes a fracture of the triquetral bone in the wrist. It may occur when the wrist is twisted or bent, and it can be challenging to diagnose.
Regardless of the type of wrist fracture that happens, it’s essential for you to get medical attention as soon as possible to diagnose and treat the fracture properly.
Most fractures, at minimum require surgery and other treatment, which makes getting medical help as soon as you can even more important. Generally speaking, there are a number of different treatment optiosn depending on the type and severity of the fracture. Usually, this includes:
- The first step typically involves immobilizing the affected wrist to prevent further injury, which may involve wearing a cast or splint for a few weeks.
- Pain management is also an important aspect of treatment for a wrist fracture, and over-the-counter pain relievers or stronger medications may be prescribed.
- Physical therapy may be recommended after the immobilization period to help restore strength and flexibility to the wrist.
- If your wrist fracture is severe enough, you’ll likely have to have surgery to repair it.
- Follow-up care is also crucial, and regular appointments with a doctor may be required to monitor the healing process and make sure that the treatment plan is effective.
Wrist Fractures and Car Accidents in Spokane
When you consider the nature of a wrist fracture, it’s fairly easy to see how they are so common in a car accident. No two car accidents are alike, but the sudden impact can cause your body to be jolted forward or sideways, often resulting in your hands or arms hitting a hard surface like the dashboard, steering wheel, or window. This, in turn, can lead to a fracture or break in your wrist.
With that said, certain types of car accidents are more likely to result in a wrist fracture, such as:
- Head-on collisions – A head-on collision can cause the hands and wrists to be violently thrown against the steering wheel, dashboard or any of the car’s other hard surfaces. When this impact happens, wrist fractures are a common outcome.
- T-bone collisions – T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, can cause your hands and wrists to be twisted or bent unnaturally, often leading to scaphoid or other wrist fractures.
- Rollover accidents – In a rollover accident, hands and wrists can be forcefully impacted against the roof of the vehicle or other objects inside the car. Other times, you can be thrown out of the vehicle, where you could impact the ground at force, which frequently results in wrist fractures.
It’s worth noting that wrist fractures can occur in any type of car accident, depending on the force of the impact and the position of the hands and wrists at the time of the collision. In the end, your recovery will depend not just on the medical care you receive, but also on the legal options available to you.
What is the Claims Process For a Spokane Car Accident?
Recovering from a wrist fracture often involves seeking compensation for your injuries and losses. The most straightforward way to do this is to file a claim for damages against the person responsible for causing your accident and injuries.
In such a situation, seeking legal guidance from our experienced Spokane car accident lawyers can be beneficial. We can provide you with a clear understanding of your legal rights and assess who was at fault for the accident. With our expertise, we can represent you in your claim for damages. Still, the claims process for a car accident in Spokane generally involves several steps:
- Typically, the first step is to report the accident to the police and the insurance company. You’ll want to try to provide as much information as possible regarding the location, time, and nature of the accident.
- Next, gather evidence to support your claim. This includes photographs of the accident scene, witness contact information, and relevant medical records.
- The next step is to file a claim with the insurance company. This can be a somewhat challenging process, but our experienced team can help you navigate this. After providing all the information and evidence you have, the insurance company will investigate the accident and offer a settlement.
- In the event that the insurance company provides an low settlement amount, our team can help you negotiate with them. But if an agreement cannot be reached, you may need to file a lawsuit.
- Filing a lawsuit allows you to recover certain damages from the person responsible for the accident. Usually, these include:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
By taking following this process, you can protect your legal rights and seek compensation for your damages after your car accident. That said, what you’re ultiamtely able to recover depends on the circumstances of your accident and the evidence you have.
Let Our Spokane Car Accident Lawyers Work For You
When you or a loved one have suffered a wrist fracture in a Spokane car accident, you need legal guidance and support that you can trust. Since 1948, CCD Law has provided trusted legal guidance and support to clients throughout the Spokane area. We can help you navigate the challenging recovery process, making sure you get the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait to get the help you need, contact us today for a free consultation.
