Nerve Damage from a Displaced Wrist Fracture
The injuries that people sustain in car accidents can be extremely severe. Some of these injuries could also leave people with permanent complications that could impact their ability to perform daily activities. Recently published by Driver Knowledge, some statistics regarding car accidents include:
- About 10 people are killed every day in an accident involving distracted driving.
- Around 20 percent of all car accidents involve a distracted driver.
- More than 40 percent of people say that they have been in a car when a driver was on the cell phone and suffered a “near-miss” accident.
- Driving a vehicle while using a cell phone removes a significant amount of focus from the road, leading to a higher chance of having an accident.
This information shows how dangerous it is to drive while distracted. In some cases, distracted driving can result in serious injuries, such as bone fractures, which can lead to severe complications.
A Fracture of the Wrist: The Radius and The Ulna
The wrist is one of the most commonly broken bones in the body. When people are about to suffer an impact, such as in a car accident, most people will reflexively extend their hands in front of them to protect themselves. While this protects their chest and their abdomen, it also exposes their arms to suffering a serious injury. Some of the symptoms of a wrist fracture include:
- Pain and swelling around the wrist.
- A significant loss in the range of motion of the wrist.
- Bruising or bleeding, especially in the case of an open fracture.
- Possible shooting pains or numbness down the forearms.
This last symptom is concerning for a serious complication of a wrist fracture. It could be a sign of nerve damage.
Nerve Damage Following a Wrist Fracture
Numerous, delicate nerves run through the wrist. These nerves power the motor and sensory function of the hand and fingers. If these nerves are damaged, people could lose the function of the nerves. The nerve damage results from a fragment of the radius or ulna that slices through these nerves. People may experience numbness along their arm or hands. They could also find that they are not able to move their fingers, making it hard to eat, type, or write. In some cases, these nerves can be repaired surgically if identified early. In other situations, the damage could be permanent.
Watch YouTube Video: Treatments for a Pinched Nerve in the Wrist. This video provides treatment options for a pinched nerve following a wrist injury.
Contacting a Lawyer
When someone has suffered nerve damage in a car accident, this can lead to permanent complications. In some cases, the nerve damage could be so severe that people lose the ability to use the limb effectively. This can lead to numerous logistical problems, such as:
- High medical bills that accompany a chronic disability.
- The trouble with mobility, such as the ability to walk, run, or drive.
- Issues retaining employment or finishing school.
- Problems related to insurance coverage.
It is easy to see how these issues would create serious problems for a family already dealing with the stress of a severe accident. For this reason, it is vital to meet with a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. Make sure to go over all of the options available because you could be deserving of financial compensation.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident injury lawyer in Sacramento. Nerve damage can develop after a bone fracture and could potentially last a lifetime. If you have developed complications due to injuries from a car crash, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/Nerve Damage from a Displaced Wrist Fracture.
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