Whether serious crashes or simple fender benders, car accidents can cause a lot of personal stress and hassle. This can range from damage to your car to injuries to yourself. One common car accident injury is broken bones. Broken bones can lead to all sorts of complications and worries–from doctor visits to time away from work while you recover. Understanding whether you are entitled to any compensation for your injuries can be essential.

Read on to learn more about compensation for injuries incurred during an accident, determining liability, and how to put your best foot forward in your claim. Learn how to receive the top settlement for a broken arm.

Who Is Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery?

If you suffered a painful broken arm in an auto collision, the experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorneys at Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery aim to ease your struggles and get the highest settlement for a broken arm.

Our lawyers have specialized expertise in assessing injury claims just like yours to determine fair compensation and the top settlement amount. We work on contingency, meaning no payment unless your case succeeds, capping fees at only 25% so you retain more damages.

Our lead counsel, Donald Bucheri, is recognized among the top car accident attorneys nationally for strategic skills in winning settlements. He sticks with clients when other firms quit, fighting insurers relentlessly until clients are rightfully compensated.

The whole legal team compassionately battles for accident victims to recoup medical bills, lost income, and settlement amount for pain and suffering when not at fault. By selecting Poynter & Bucheri to litigate your broken arm injury claim, you gain savvy advocates to secure the maximum recovery so you can concentrate on healing.

To schedule an appointment, call our office at 1-800-265-9881, or you can request a free legal consultation here.

Why Are Arm Fractures Common in Car Accidents?

Arm fractures are one of the most frequent injuries sustained in auto collisions. When a vehicle suddenly stops due to impact with another vehicle or object, the upper body continues moving forward due to inertia. As drivers and passengers put out their hands to brace themselves, the force often ends up concentrated on the extended arm. This can easily overpower the structural integrity of the bones in the arm, resulting in fractures of the humerus, radius, ulna, or wrist bones.

Airbags are designed to prevent more life-threatening head and chest injuries in a car accident However, they deploy at extremely high speeds, up to 200 mph, which also exerts tremendous force on any limbs in the path. Airbags combined with forward momentum add up to appendages at high risk for bone breaks and other harm.

In addition to the driver and front passenger positions, backseat occupants in car accidents may throw out hands and arms to steady themselves when a car rapidly spins, skids, or changes direction due to impact. Again, the pressures involved frequently overwhelm arm strength, producing fractures. Similar dynamics are in play for rolls-over mishaps, where windowsills often get gripped.

Any auto mishap serious enough to injure bodies within highlights the need for immediate medical assessment. Visible damage like bleeding warrants the highest urgency. Bruising, swelling, pain, or difficulty moving injured areas also signal likely underlying trauma requiring medical treatment. For bone fractures specifically, quick immobilization and alignment not only aid relief but promote proper healing. Seeking legal counsel for accident injuries also assures the best recovery help and fairest outcome when not at fault.

Types of Broken Arm Bones

While all broken bones are painful, there are different levels of severity in the break itself.

The types of potential breaks are:

Hairline Fractures

This is a small fracture or multiple fractures, or sometimes severe bruising, of the bone. It’s crucial to recognize that hairline fractures, while often overlooked due to their minuscule nature, can have significant repercussions, potentially leading to chronic pain and suffering

Clean Break

No misalignment of the bone occurs in this type of fracture. It is the easiest type of fracture to heal.

From a legal standpoint, a clean break, although straightforward in clinical terms, demands careful consideration as it may significantly inhibit your daily routine and capacity to work, warranting fair and just compensation.

Displaced Fracture

This is when the break causes a gap between the two ends of the bone. Displaced fractures, where the bone ends are out of alignment, often require surgical intervention and can have a profound impact on your life, necessitating a vigorous pursuit of rightful compensation for your extensive recovery period.

Open or Compound Fracture

This type of break occurs when the bone breaks severely enough to penetrate the skin. 

A compound fracture, in which the bone pierces the skin, presents a critical case due to the high risk of infection and the complexity it introduces to the healing process, often necessitating prompt and comprehensive legal action to secure adequate compensation

Complete Fracture

This is a break where the bone separates into two or more pieces.

In the context of personal injury law, complete fractures, characterized by the bone being broken all the way through, not only demand considerable medical attention but also present substantial claims for compensation due to the severity of the injury and the lengthy rehabilitation that usually follows.

Is There a Difference Between a Broken Bone and a Fracture?

While the terms “fracture” and “broken bone” are often used interchangeably, there is a slight distinction. Bone fractures refer to any break in the continuity of a bone, whether it is cracked, splintered, or fully separated into pieces. This includes everything from tiny hairline cracks to compound fractures where bone fragments tear through the skin. So all broken bones can be classified as bone fractures.

The term “broken bone” is a bit more general and used to refer to more significant breaks versus minor cracks. For instance, if a fall left you with a tiny, barely visible fissure in your leg bone, you might say you fractured your leg. But if the broken leg snapped completely in half and required a cast, you would likely say you broke your wrist. So a “broken bone” implies one of the more serious types of bone fractures such as a complete, displaced, or compound fracture.

Simply put, a broken bone signifies a severe form of a fracture, so all broken bones, including broken ribs, are bone fractures, but not all bone fractures necessarily constitute a broken bone.

Common Symptoms of a Broken Arm Injury After a Car Crash

After a car accident, common symptoms that may indicate a broken arm include severe pain, swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the affected area. You may also experience difficulty moving your arm, accompanied by a noticeable deformity or misalignment of the bone. Numbness or tingling sensations, particularly in the fingers or hand, can also be signs of nerve damage associated with a broken arm.

If you notice any of these symptoms after a car accident, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention to assess the extent of your injury and receive appropriate medical treatment. Ignoring these symptoms or delaying medical care can worsen the injury and lead to complications in the healing process.

Medical Treatment for Broken Arm Injuries After a Car Accident

When arm bones shatter in vehicle crashes, prompt medical attention focuses first on stabilization and relief of pain. Setting and casting the broken pieces so healing can begin comes next. From there, recovery steps and medical treatment depend on the bone(s) involved and severity.

Minor upper arm fractures and lower arm fractures that don’t line up too awkwardly often heal fine in simply an arm cast. But surgery may become necessary to implant plates, screws, pins, or other hardware if the break proves more complex or compound (skin punctured). The goal is always restoring proper anatomical alignment so the limb regains pre-accident functionality.

No matter what bones break—be it the humerus, radius, ulna, upper arm bone, or those of the wrist and hand—a period of immobilization in a cast or splint typically runs 6 to 12 weeks. Therapy then reforms strength, flexibility, and skills like grasping. Assistive devices may be utilized temporarily if the arm seems slow to mend. Counseling occasionally helps overcome accident trauma interfering with progress.

Full recoveries are normally achieved in less serious hairline fractures thanks to excellent orthopedic treatments now available. Plates and rods inserted to bolster complex breaks get removed once their bracing purpose is served. In the very worst cases, though, damaged soft tissues or nerves surrounding severe bone injuries may cause lasting restrictions or impairments and require extensive medical intervention.

The after effects of arm fractures can impact normal activities for a while. Legal help not only eases that financial stress but apportions fault when injured by the negligent driving of others. Auto insurance and personal injury claims should pay for patient transports, ER visits, surgery, hospitalization, medications, casts, therapy, and other necessities to heal properly.

What Should You Do If You Break Your Arm in a Car Accident?

In order to make the best possible personal injury case for your compensation claim before the final settlement value of your personal injury case, there are a few key things to remember to do.

Document the Accident and Its Aftermath

This should include:

• Photos of the accident, if you are able to take them, can show how the accident happened
• Accident report, filed by the police on the scene
• Eyewitness statements that can corroborate how the accident occurred in case you need to prove you were not at fault or to prove that the other driver is liable
• Going to the doctor to have them assess your injuries, ask for an injury report or assessment 
• Any x-rays, or other documentation, of the break itself
• Bills from medical tests, appointments, etc
• Proof of any lost wages incurred due to the injury 

Consult With an Attorney

A personal injury lawyer can help you make the best possible claim, and will fight to ensure that you get a fair settlement value for your injury and the stress that it has caused. A personal injury attorney can help file paperwork correctly and in a timely fashion, talk to witnesses on your behalf, request documentation from police or doctors, and can argue your case in court if necessary.

What Medical Expenses Can Be Compensated After a Motor Vehicle Accident?

After a car accident, you can recover compensation for medical bills including:

• Doctor/specialist visits
• X-rays or other imaging
• Casts, slings, or other assistive equipment
• Pain medications
• Surgery
• Hospital stays
• Therapy visits

This is not an exhaustive list, but as mentioned above, depending on the severity of your break, you will likely need to be assessed by a doctor, have x-rays or an MRI done of the fracture or multiple fractures, be fitted for a cast and sling, and may require pain management medications for more severe injuries. In some extreme cases, surgery may even be needed to reset the bone or add metal pins to hold it in place. As you heal, you may also require things such as physical therapy. All of this can quickly become extremely costly.

If you are eligible to be compensated for the accident that caused the break, all of these costs can lead to compensation. In addition to this, if you lost wages at work due to needed time off for hospital stays, appointments, or physical therapy, then that may also be eligible for compensation. How much compensation for a broken arm that you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries as well as the strength of your case.

Who May Be Held Liable for Broken Arms After a Car Accident?

In cases of broken arm bone injuries resulting from a car accident, liability for the injuries may vary depending on the circumstances of the accident. Typically, if the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence or reckless behavior, they may be held liable for the injuries sustained. This could include situations where the other driver was speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, distracted while driving, or violated traffic laws.

Additionally, if car accidents were caused by a defective vehicle part or poor road conditions, the manufacturer of the vehicle or the entity responsible for maintaining the road may also be held liable.

Determining liability often involves a thorough investigation of the accident scene, witness statements, and analysis of relevant evidence to establish fault and pursue appropriate compensation for the injured party.

How Do I Prove That My Broken Arm Was Due to the Car Accident?

Proving that a broken arm occurred due to car accidents involves gathering evidence and documenting the sequence of events leading to the injury. Many of these pieces are outlined in other sections of this guide, but they are crucially important. First and foremost, seeking medical attention immediately after the accident is crucial, as medical records will serve as key evidence linking the injury to the car accident. Diagnostic tests such as X-rays and medical reports detailing the nature and extent of the arm injury are vital pieces of evidence.

Additionally, eyewitness accounts, police reports documenting the accident scene, photographs of the vehicles involved, and any visible other injuries, such as a possible broken leg, can help establish the connection between the car accident and the broken arm.

It’s essential to preserve any physical evidence related to the accident and injury, including damaged property or clothing, as they may provide valuable insights into the severity and cause of the collision. Collaborating with experienced legal professionals who specialize in personal injury cases involving car accidents can also help navigate the process of gathering evidence and building a strong case to establish liability and claim compensation for the injury.

What Will a Broken Arm Car Accident Case Look Like?

When an innocent driver or passenger suffers broken bones in a crash another motorist caused, contacting a personal injury attorney makes savvy next steps. Lawyers build injury lawsuits to recoup not just medical costs but income losses plus pain and suffering damages when someone else’s provable negligence led to shattering your arm and your chronic pain.

After thoroughly investigating accident causes and liability facts, your personal injury lawyer sends an official notice demanding the at-fault driver’s insurance company settle any property damage, cover all accident bills, and provide fair pain and suffering compensation up to insurance policy limits. Specific details of your serious injuries and recovery influence settlement amounts.

Early broken bone settlement talks often happen because insurers wish to avoid risky trials. Your lawyer will display your case with medical charts documenting surgical repairs, therapy progress, and impairment levels.

During litigation, you’ll likely undergo independent medical exams. The defense tries to avoid paying your medical bills by alleging preexisting conditions contributed to your arm injuries.

Smart steps plus legal support nets maximum recovery for broken arm cases. With quality counsel battling for your best interests, you concentrate solely on healing while they handle the legal complexities.

Average Settlement Amount for Accident Victims of Car Accidents

When a driver or passenger sustains a broken arm in an auto collision that wasn’t their fault, many wonder what their injury claim may be worth. The average settlement for a broken bone and other injuries will depend chiefly on severity. We explained some of the details of the types of broken bones above.

Here are some examples of an average settlement amount for each type:

Simple Transverse Breaks

These clean cracks across the width of an arm bone generally heal well after 6-8 weeks in a cast. If no surgery or complications develop, the average settlement ranges from $10,000-$30,000. Award factors consider the physical pain and suffering, temporary disability, and any lingering symptoms like occasional soreness after the cast comes off.

Comminuted Fractures

When crash forces shatter the arm bone into multiple fragments, surgery by an orthopedic surgeon to implant stabilizing hardware often follows. Healing and therapy now extend over 3-6 months with a higher risk of complications like infections or the metalware failing. The average settlement for a comminuted fracture is approximately $30,000-$75,000.

Compound Arm Fractures

The most serious injuries occur when fractured bone pieces tear through soft tissue and skin. Emergency surgery is required along with lengthy antibiotic treatments while exposed bone heightens the infection chance. Typical compound arm fracture settlements fall within $75,000-$150,000 depending on the medical procedures/rehab involved and if any permanent limb impairment remains.

The unique specifics of each case further modify average worth. Considerations like permanent nerve damage, unforeseen surgical risks, or emotional distress can significantly increase an injury claim’s settlement value. That’s why retaining an experienced personal injury lawyer ensures building the strongest argument for maximum compensation for your broken arm case.

Poynter & Bucheri | Get the Top Settlement for a Broken Arm

The trauma of an auto collision leading to broken arms launches a victim’s life on a difficult path to a broken bone settlement value that few anticipate. From ER visits to intricate surgeries, restrictive casts/therapy, and lost wages or livelihoods, it’s no wonder many seek compensation. Even eventual healing may leave chronic pain, reduced mobility, or complication risks. The monetary burdens alone can cause emotional distress. But you don’t have to tackle these severe injuries alone when irresponsible driving causes such hardship.

Our attorneys have successfully resolved countless broken arm injury claims securing a settlement for a broken bone for all justified medical bills, related medical expenses, and fair pain and suffering damages. We determine precise accident fault, prove negligence, and relentlessly pressure insurers to fully cover what victims endure. No one should struggle financially due to another’s provable actions. With our counsel fighting for your rightful compensation and beating the average settlement, you focus solely on mending your body and spirit.

Whether you’re seeking fair compensation for a fall accident, broken ribs, shoulder injury, broken leg, broken hip, soft tissue injury, slip and fall accident, other injuries, another personal injury claim, or simply want to know exactly what is your broken arm worth, Poynter & Bucheri is ready to serve you.

Our law firm has years of experience with car accidents, broken bone injuries, and personal injury compensation recovery. We strive to beat the average settlement. Based out of Indianapolis, we are proud to serve clients throughout Indiana and help each one recover compensation and the top settlement amount from the insurance company in a personal injury lawsuit.

To schedule an appointment, call our office at 1-800-265-9881, or you can request a free legal consultation here and see what your potential settlement value could be.

Here’s an example of a case our lawyers recently handled in court:

Our client was an elderly woman customer at a big box clothing store, where she tripped and fell over the threshold of the entrance. The client suffered a fractured hip and required multiple surgeries. Poynter & Bucheri named both the big box store and landlord as defendants. We hired an engineer to conduct an inspection and he found that the threshold was not in compliance with code. After sharing the report, settlement was reached with both defendants.