An accident victim may experience a number of arm injuries as the result of a car accident in Indianapolis. Some injuries can result in long-term or permanent disability or chronic pain. Compensation in an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit may address associated damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages.
The value of an accident claim or lawsuit will depend on the nature of a victim’s injuries. Potential injuries include:
- Fractures/broken bones
- Scarring
- Tissue damage
- Elbow injuries
- Joint dislocation
- Muscular sprains and strains
- Amputation
Arm fractures are an especially common type of accident injury. Below is an overview of what an accident victim should know following an arm fracture suffered in a car crash.
Types of Arm Fractures
Physicians use a number of classifications to identify the nature and severity of a bone fracture. The primary categories include:
- Displaced (the bone breaks in two or more parts with the ends out of alignment)
- Non-displaced (bone maintains proper alignment despite breakage)
- Open (the broken bone protrudes through the skin – this also is commonly referred to as a compound fracture – and the bone may be visible or not, but there remains an open wound and risk of infection)
- Closed (the skin remains intact)
Other common categorizations of fractures, according to WebMD, include:
- Impacted/buckle fracture (the ends of the broken bone are forced into one another – most commonly seen with child victims)
- Greenstick fracture (an incomplete fracture in which the bone bends but does not break entirely – this also is most common in children.)
- Comminuted fracture (results in a fragmentation of bone)
- Transverse fracture (a break occurring at a right angle to the bone)
The nature of the fracture will impact the necessary diagnostic tools and course of treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of an Arm Fracture
An accident victim may hear a “snap” or cracking sound at the moment of trauma. This could be an indication of an arm fracture. Other signs and symptoms include:
- Pain that increases with movement
- Stiffness
- Bruising or discoloration of the skin
- Visible manifestations of injury (such as an open wound, bleeding at the injury site, or bending at an unnatural or unusual angle)
- Swelling
- Mobility limitation
- Being unable to turn/rotate the arm
Minor fractures may not be immediately apparent. A delay in treatment for any fracture can impede healing and contribute to long-term or chronic pain.
The Costs and Complications of an Arm Fracture
Effective and prompt treatment can minimize the long-term impact of an arm fracture. Even so, a victim may miss days, weeks or even months of income during the course of recovery. Some victims may never regain full mobility or strength of the affected area. Chronic pain is a concern for certain patients.
Medical treatment may be costly, particularly if physical therapy and surgery are required. Learn about potential compensation by ordering our free accident guide. Call Hensley Legal Group at (317) 472-3333 to schedule a free case evaluation about an Indiana car accident case.