Tennessee auto accidents leave thousands of people injured every year. It is not uncommon for vehicle occupants to sustain some type of wrist injury during a motor vehicle crash. In severe cases, a wrist injury may take several months to heal.
If you or a loved one has suffered a wrist injury during a car accident, you may be to seek legal action against the negligent party. Contact a Knoxville car accident lawyer today to explore your legal options.
To find out if youre eligible to file a legal claim, complete the Free Case Review form.
Common Wrist Injuries
A humans wrist is a complex structure that consists of eight small bones called carpals. These bones support the carpal tunnel, which is a long tube that runs through the wrist. The carpal tunnel contains nerves and tendons and it is covered by the ligaments that hold it in place. Also, there are ligaments that support the wrist.
Oftentimes, passenger occupants will use their wrists to brace themselves for the impact of a collision.
Wrist Sprains
A sprain refers to any type of injury to the ligament. Wrist sprains are a common injury that people sustain. When the ligaments in the wrist are stretched, torn or forcefully bent, this will result in a sprain. Ligament injuries are divided into three grades. When the ligaments are stretched but not torn, this considered to be a grade 1 injury. Some Symptoms of a grade 1 injury include pain, swelling, bruising and discoloration.
Medical professionals will often recommend RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) for wrist sprains. Also, a doctor may immobilize the wrist with cast or sprint.
Torn Wrist Ligaments
When the wrist ligament is partially torn it is considered to be a grade 2 injury. A torn ligament can cause a patient to lose functions. When the wrist ligament is completely torn, it classified a grade 3 injury, the most severe type of injury. Occasionally, grade 3 injuries are associated with a fracture on the joint surface. When an individual has sustained a grade 3 injury, they may experience intense pain and swelling at the injury site. Physicians will often order an MRI to determine the severity of the wrist injury.
Patients will need surgery to treat a grade 3 injury. Upon completion of the surgery, a doctor will immobilize the wrist. In addition, the doctor will order physical therapy for the injury. Left untreated, the injury can cause arthritis and chronic instability.
Scaphoid Fracture
The smallest bone in the wrist and the one most likely to be fractured is the scaphoid. The scaphoid is located on the thumb side of the wrist, in the spot where the wrist bends. Typically, the individual will experience some pain and swelling after the scaphoid has been broken. Sometimes people will not realize that the scaphoid has been fractured, unless the wrist deformed. A scaphoid fracture is often mistaken for a sprain; thats why it is crucial for accident victims to seek medical attention after being involved in a collision.
In order to determine if the bone has been broken, a doctor will order an X-ray. It is not uncommon for the fracture not to show up right away on the X-ray. In these cases, the doctor may immobilize the wrist for up two weeks. After two weeks has gone by, a doctor will order a new X-ray to see if the scaphoid has been fractured.
The location of the injury will determine what type of treatment that the doctor orders. If the fracture occurs close to the thumb, it will heal in a couple of weeks. During this time, a patients wrist may be put into a cast. However, if the fracture occurs in the middle of the bone or close to the forearm, the healing process tends to be more difficult. This area of the bone does not get good blood supply, which affects its ability to heal. These types of injuries usually require surgical treatment. After the surgery, a patient will need to be fitted with a splint or a cast. On average, it takes six months to recover from this injury. In some cases, patients will never regain their full strength or range of motion, even with physical therapy.
Knoxville Car Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has suffered some type of wrist injury during a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and property damage. Contact an experienced auto accident attorney to explore your legal options.
At Greg Coleman Law, we believe that all injury victims deserve access to legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. Thats why our personal injury attorneys do not charge a fee unless we receive a favorable outcome for your claim, whether its a settlement or a jury verdict.
Our attorneys provide legal services to injured individuals in Knoxville and the surrounding communities.
To speak with an attorney in regards to your injury, fill out the contact form on the right.
