Arm Injuries from Car Accidents
cartwrightlaw - October 24, 2023 -
Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of serious injuries worldwide, and have the potential to cause devastating consequences for those involved.
Common injuries that people associate with car crashes include whiplash, concussion, spinal cord injuries, and arm and elbow injuries. Arms and elbows are often exposed and vulnerable during a collision, as they receive little protection from seat belts and airbags.
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, our experienced car accident attorneys at The Cartwright Law Firm can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about our comprehensive legal services.
Common Arm Injuries from Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause serious arm injuries that can have long-term effects on an individual’s quality of life. Some common injuries that can occur in such accidents include bone fractures, torn ligaments, dislocated joints, rotator cuff injuries, and soft tissue injuries.
Bone Fractures
Bone fractures can occur in the arms, wrists, and hands, and can be simple or compound. Simple fractures can usually be treated with a cast, while compound fractures may require surgery. Recovery time for a fracture can vary but can take several weeks or months, and can result in a loss of mobility and disruption to daily activities.
- Clavicle fracture: a break in the collarbone.
- Scapula fracture: a break in the shoulder blade.
- Humerus fracture: a break in the upper arm bone.
- Forearm fracture: a break in one or both of the bones in the forearm, the ulna and radius, located between the elbow and wrist.
Torn Ligaments & Nerve Damage
Torn ligaments can occur when the force of a collision causes the ligaments in the arm, forearm, or hand to tear partially or entirely away from the bone. This can cause pain, swelling, and discomfort, and can take weeks or months to heal.
- Elbow sprain: a tear in one of the three elbow ligaments that causes pain and swelling and can lead to long-term damage if left untreated.
- Rotator cuff tear: a tear in the muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, which can cause pain, weakness, and a limited range of motion.
- Brachial plexus injury: a stretch or tear in the nerves that send signals from the spinal cord to the shoulders and arms, which can cause weakness, numbness, and tingling sensations.
- Ulnar nerve entrapment and median nerve entrapment: two of the most common nerve injuries that occur in car accidents, they can cause severe pain, weakness, and numbness in the hand and arm.
Joint Dislocation
Dislocated joints, a shift in the bones in the shoulder or elbow socket, are also common in car accidents and can cause severe swelling, pain, and a reduced range of motion in the affected arm.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries such as muscle strains and contusions can occur in car accidents.
- Muscle strain: a tear or stretch in the upper arm muscles, such as the bicep and tricep, that causes swelling and pain
- Bruises and scratches on the arms
How Arm Injuries Occur from Car Accidents
In the event of a collision, an individual’s arms are often used as a shield to protect the torso and head. The instant impact of a collision can lead to hyperextension of the arm, which stretches the ligaments and tendons beyond their normal range. This can result in sprains, tears, or ruptures in the soft tissues of the arm.
Moreover, the force of the impact can cause fractures in the arm bones. These fractures can range in severity from hairline cracks to complete breaks. Injuries to the joints, such as the elbow, can also occur due to the sudden impact of a car accident.
The elbow joint is particularly susceptible to injury because it is located at the end of the arm, where it is more exposed to impact. Damage to the joint can result in injury to the soft tissue, ligaments, and tendons, leading to pain and stiffness in the arm. Overall, the incidence of arm injuries in car accidents is high, and their impact can be long-lasting and damaging.
Can Whiplash Cause Arm Pain?
Whiplash is a type of neck injury that involves damage to the soft tissues of the neck, including muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. While the pain is generally localized to the neck area, it is not uncommon for individuals suffering from whiplash to experience arm pain as well.
This arm pain is caused by damage to the brachial plexus, a bundle of nerves that runs through the neck and branches out into the shoulder and arm. When the brachial plexus is overstretched, it can lead to pain and numbness in the arms, wrists, and hands. With proper care and attention, most individuals with whiplash-related arm pain can make a full recovery.
The Importance of Medical Treatment
After a car accident, seeking medical attention is crucial, even if you believe that you do not have serious injuries. Certain injuries may not exhibit symptoms immediately. Arm pain can be a symptom of a more serious injury, such as a fracture or nerve damage. Delaying medical treatment may worsen your condition and delay your recovery. Seeking immediate medical attention also helps in the accurate diagnosis of injuries and the determination of their severity.
Additionally, seeking medical treatment serves as evidence for the validity of your personal injury claim. Medical records provide factual proof of the injuries sustained and the treatments received. Therefore, it is vital to seek medical treatment after a car accident to ensure not only your physical well-being but also your legal protection.
Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys
At The Cartwright Law Firm, we understand how overwhelming it can be to sustain arm pain or injury as a result of a car accident. Our personal injury attorneys are committed to helping our clients seek restitution for their injuries so they can focus on their recovery without the added stress of medical bills and lost wages.
With years of experience in personal injury claims, our car accident attorneys have the knowledge and skills to seek optimal compensation in your case. Contact our personal injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation.
Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of serious injuries worldwide, and have the potential to cause devastating consequences for those involved.
Common injuries that people associate with car crashes include whiplash, concussion, spinal cord injuries, and arm and elbow injuries. Arms and elbows are often exposed and vulnerable during a collision, as they receive little protection from seat belts and airbags.
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, our experienced car accident attorneys at The Cartwright Law Firm can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about our comprehensive legal services.
Common Arm Injuries from Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause serious arm injuries that can have long-term effects on an individual’s quality of life. Some common injuries that can occur in such accidents include bone fractures, torn ligaments, dislocated joints, rotator cuff injuries, and soft tissue injuries.
Bone Fractures
Bone fractures can occur in the arms, wrists, and hands, and can be simple or compound. Simple fractures can usually be treated with a cast, while compound fractures may require surgery. Recovery time for a fracture can vary but can take several weeks or months, and can result in a loss of mobility and disruption to daily activities.
- Clavicle fracture: a break in the collarbone.
- Scapula fracture: a break in the shoulder blade.
- Humerus fracture: a break in the upper arm bone.
- Forearm fracture: a break in one or both of the bones in the forearm, the ulna and radius, located between the elbow and wrist.
Torn Ligaments & Nerve Damage
Torn ligaments can occur when the force of a collision causes the ligaments in the arm, forearm, or hand to tear partially or entirely away from the bone. This can cause pain, swelling, and discomfort, and can take weeks or months to heal.
- Elbow sprain: a tear in one of the three elbow ligaments that causes pain and swelling and can lead to long-term damage if left untreated.
- Rotator cuff tear: a tear in the muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, which can cause pain, weakness, and a limited range of motion.
- Brachial plexus injury: a stretch or tear in the nerves that send signals from the spinal cord to the shoulders and arms, which can cause weakness, numbness, and tingling sensations.
- Ulnar nerve entrapment and median nerve entrapment: two of the most common nerve injuries that occur in car accidents, they can cause severe pain, weakness, and numbness in the hand and arm.
Joint Dislocation
Dislocated joints, a shift in the bones in the shoulder or elbow socket, are also common in car accidents and can cause severe swelling, pain, and a reduced range of motion in the affected arm.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries such as muscle strains and contusions can occur in car accidents.
- Muscle strain: a tear or stretch in the upper arm muscles, such as the bicep and tricep, that causes swelling and pain
- Bruises and scratches on the arms
How Arm Injuries Occur from Car Accidents
In the event of a collision, an individual’s arms are often used as a shield to protect the torso and head. The instant impact of a collision can lead to hyperextension of the arm, which stretches the ligaments and tendons beyond their normal range. This can result in sprains, tears, or ruptures in the soft tissues of the arm.
Moreover, the force of the impact can cause fractures in the arm bones. These fractures can range in severity from hairline cracks to complete breaks. Injuries to the joints, such as the elbow, can also occur due to the sudden impact of a car accident.
The elbow joint is particularly susceptible to injury because it is located at the end of the arm, where it is more exposed to impact. Damage to the joint can result in injury to the soft tissue, ligaments, and tendons, leading to pain and stiffness in the arm. Overall, the incidence of arm injuries in car accidents is high, and their impact can be long-lasting and damaging.
Can Whiplash Cause Arm Pain?
Whiplash is a type of neck injury that involves damage to the soft tissues of the neck, including muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. While the pain is generally localized to the neck area, it is not uncommon for individuals suffering from whiplash to experience arm pain as well.
This arm pain is caused by damage to the brachial plexus, a bundle of nerves that runs through the neck and branches out into the shoulder and arm. When the brachial plexus is overstretched, it can lead to pain and numbness in the arms, wrists, and hands. With proper care and attention, most individuals with whiplash-related arm pain can make a full recovery.
The Importance of Medical Treatment
After a car accident, seeking medical attention is crucial, even if you believe that you do not have serious injuries. Certain injuries may not exhibit symptoms immediately. Arm pain can be a symptom of a more serious injury, such as a fracture or nerve damage. Delaying medical treatment may worsen your condition and delay your recovery. Seeking immediate medical attention also helps in the accurate diagnosis of injuries and the determination of their severity.
Additionally, seeking medical treatment serves as evidence for the validity of your personal injury claim. Medical records provide factual proof of the injuries sustained and the treatments received. Therefore, it is vital to seek medical treatment after a car accident to ensure not only your physical well-being but also your legal protection.
Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys
At The Cartwright Law Firm, we understand how overwhelming it can be to sustain arm pain or injury as a result of a car accident. Our personal injury attorneys are committed to helping our clients seek restitution for their injuries so they can focus on their recovery without the added stress of medical bills and lost wages.
With years of experience in personal injury claims, our car accident attorneys have the knowledge and skills to seek optimal compensation in your case. Contact our personal injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation.
“Our successful case results are a reflection of the values and virtues we believe in and uphold at Cartwright Law Firm. Nothing stops us from pursuing justice on behalf of those who need it.
Robert E. Cartwright Jr.
Founder and Managing Partner