Hand and wrist pain can impact almost every aspect of your everyday life. If you are living with hand or arm pain after a traffic accident, you should see a doctor for an evaluation. You may need treatment to ensure you heal quickly and correctly.
If another driver caused your crash, you should not have to pay for your medical care or other related expenses out of your own pocket. You may be able to recover compensation through an insurance claim or by suing the negligent motorist.
What Causes Hand and Wrist Pain After an Accident?
Hand and wrist pain can occur because of many different types of injuries. Because accident victims were likely holding on to the steering wheel or their hands impacted other parts of the interior of the car during your crash, injuries are common.
These injuries may include:
- Lacerations and contusions to the hand and lower arm, including serious cuts from glass
- Fractures of the wrist, fingers, knuckles, or other bones
- Finger or wrist dislocations
- Tendon or ligament injuries, including sprains, strains, and tears
- Burns
You will likely need medical imaging to rule out or diagnose many of these injuries. This could include an X-ray to see the bones and recognize fractures or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look at the soft tissues and supporting structures. This likely means that a walk-in clinic or urgent care facility will not be able to diagnose your injury.
What Treatment Will I Undergo for My Hand or Wrist Injury?
The treatment necessary for your injury will depend on the diagnosis and severity of it. You may need to see an orthopedic surgeon or a hand specialist in addition to the doctor who diagnosed you. It is vital to restore the full function of your hand and wrist if possible.
For minor injuries, using conservative treatment such as splinting, ice, rest, and elevation may be enough to allow it to heal on its own. However, more severe injuries may call for surgery, physical and occupational therapy, rehabilitation, prescription pain management, and more.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 537-8185
Hand and Wrist Injuries Affect Many Parts of Your Everyday Life
Hand and wrist injuries affect almost every job. Even if you work in an office and sit behind a desk most of the time, it may be difficult to work during the days and weeks that your lower arm is in a splint. It can also impact your quality of life and ability to complete self-care tasks.
You may need help with bathing, brushing your hair, dressing, and other activities until your full range of motion and strength return. You may also need to hire someone to cover the chores you usually handle at home, including:
- Cleaning
- Cooking
- Mowing the lawn
- Driving and running errands
- Completing tasks with children, such as changing diapers
- Caring for pets
Your doctor will likely limit your recreational activities while your hand and wrist heal. You do not want to reinjure them by falling or having another accident that causes further damage.
Recovering Damages for Your Collision Injuries
Even relatively minor injuries to your hand and wrist can cause you to face time away from work, limitations in your everyday life, and more. If another driver caused your collision and injuries in a state with fault-based auto accident laws, you could likely hold them responsible for expenses and losses that include:
- Your medical care
- Future related medical needs
- Lost wages and other income
- Property damages
- Related expenses
- Pain and suffering
You can recover these damages through an insurance settlement or personal injury lawsuit. This requires:
- Investigating what happened
- Identifying the liable parties
- Gathering evidence to support your allegations
- Valuing your damages
- Filing the claim
- Negotiating for a fair settlement
- Suing if necessary
- Going to trial
Most cases do not end in litigation. Instead, they settle with the insurance company and avoid court. If you do need to sue, there are deadlines. There may also be exceptions that extend or shorten these deadlines. Generally, you have:
- Two years in Alabama, Ala. Code § 6-2-38
- Three years in Arkansas, Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105
- One year in Louisiana, La. Civ. Code Art. 3492
- Three years in Mississippi, Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49
Working with a car accident lawyer from our firm can make this process much less stressful for you. They will handle your case and answer your questions. Most work is based on contingency, meaning your family will not pay attorney’s fees unless you recover compensation.
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Let Us Help You Seek Compensation Based on Your Expenses and Losses
At the Morris Bart law firm, our team of attorneys provides complimentary case reviews and consultations for those injured in traffic accidents across the areas we serve. This includes Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama. We have 15 locations where we can meet with you, or we can meet with you in your home or at the hospital.
You can reach our contingency fee firm by dialing (800) 537-8185 now. Get started today with your free assessment with our team.
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