St. Louis Car Accident Injury - Broken Arm Sustained in Auto Accident

By Christopher Hoffmann  Feb. 5, 2016 9:18a

Broken arm injuries are one of the most common types of personal injuries caused by falling. However, these injuries can also occur from car accidents if the impact of the crash exerts excessive force on the arm. Depending on the severity of the broken bone, it may heal quickly or take several months.

Causes and symptoms of car accidents

As we said, most arm injuries are caused by falls, but in car accidents, a broken arm injury can occur when the driver or passenger braces himself for the impending crash. The excessive force can cause the arm to twist, turn and suffer a break.

The moments immediately following a car accident can be quite overwhelming with all the pain, emergency room visits, damaged car and contacting the insurance company. Depending on the seriousness of the broken arm injury, the victim may experience the following symptoms:

• Limited Range of Motion
• Bruising
• Numbness
• Swelling
• Deformation
• Painful Movements
• Stiffness
• Scaring
• Tenderness

Types of Broken Arm Injuries

There are several bones in the arm, so there are different types of injuries that can occur, and cause a variety of symptoms ranging from temporary decrease in range of motion to hindering the individual's activities of daily living. Some of the most common types of broken arm injuries include:

• Closed Fracture
• Open Fracture
• Greenstick Fracture
• Comminuted Fracture
• Complete Fracture
• Buckle Fracture
• Stress Fracture
• Incomplete Fracture
• Colles' Fracture
• Displaced Fracture

The type of broken bone injury that the victim has suffered determines how long it will take to heal completely. Normally, open fractures are the most serious types, and take the longest to heal. Thankfully, most victims are able to experience full range of motion after the fracture has healed completely.

Treatment of a Broken Arm

The person who suffers a broken arm in a car accident should seek immediate medical attention. This will alleviate the pain and will also avoid further injury. Furthermore, your medical records would act as a piece of evidence in support of your claim for compensation. The treatment of a broken arm injury will depend on the type of injury and some injuries may take much longer to heal than others.

Common treatments for broken arm injuries include:

• Ice
• Immobilization
• Elevation
• Surgery
• Pain and anti-inflammatory medication
• Physical therapy

The treatments are intended at restoring the normal range of motion and help victims to perform their daily activities as they did prior to the injury.

If you or someone close to you has suffered a broken arm injury in a St. Louis car accident, you should understand that it may require a prolonged treatment including physical therapy. So, you should make sure you seek financial compensation that covers both your present and future medical expenses. Get help with your claim - contact a St. Louis car accident attorney for a free case evaluation! Call (314) 361-4242.