Hand and Finger Fractures After a Dallas Car Accident

A broken hand or broken finger after a Dallas car accident can affect nearly everything you do. Driving, typing, working, carrying groceries, opening a door, using a phone, cooking, exercising, and caring for your children can become painful or impossible.

Hand fractures can involve the carpal bones near the wrist, the metacarpal bones of the hand, or the phalanges that make up the fingers and thumb. Even a fracture involving a single finger can interfere with the function of the entire hand.

At The Wooley Law Firm, we have represented many clients with serious hand injuries, including hand and finger fractures, and recovered millions of dollars for clients suffering hand injuries. We understand that the value of a hand injury claim is not determined by the size of the broken bone—it depends on how the injury affects your work, independence, daily activities, pain, strength, dexterity, and future.

If another driver caused your Dallas car wreck and you suffered a broken hand, broken finger, or other serious injury, understanding the full extent of the injury before settling your claim can be critical.

Hand and Finger Bones Commonly Fractured in Car Accidents

The hand contains numerous small bones that work together to provide movement, grip strength, coordination, and fine motor control.

A serious car accident can fracture one bone or several bones at the same time.

Carpal Fractures

The carpal bones are the small bones located around the wrist and base of the hand.

A car accident may fracture a carpal bone when a driver or passenger:

• Braces against the steering wheel before impact

• Extends a hand toward the dashboard

• Falls or is thrown against part of the vehicle

• Suffers direct trauma to the wrist and hand

• Has the hand twisted violently during the collision

Carpal fractures may occur along with wrist injuries, ligament damage, nerve injuries, or other fractures.

Internal link: Link “wrist injuries after a Dallas car accident” to your existing Wrist Injuries After a Dallas Car Accident article.

Metacarpal Fractures

The metacarpals are the five long bones in the hand between the wrist and fingers.

Metacarpal fractures can result from direct impact, crushing forces, or force transmitted through the hand during a crash.

A person may experience:

• Severe hand pain

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Reduced grip strength

• Difficulty moving a finger

• Tenderness

• A visible change in the shape of the hand or knuckle

Some stable fractures may be treated without surgery, while fractures that are unstable, displaced, or cause a finger to become crooked may sometimes require surgical stabilization.

Phalange Fractures — Broken Fingers and Thumbs

The bones of the fingers and thumb are called phalanges.

Finger fractures are sometimes dismissed as minor injuries, but the fingers are essential for grip, coordination, typing, writing, lifting, and performing precise movements.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that a fractured finger can cause dysfunction affecting the entire hand.

A car accident may cause:

• Thumb fractures

• Index finger fractures

• Middle finger fractures

• Ring finger fractures

• Pinky finger fractures

• Multiple broken fingers

• Fractures involving finger joints

• Fractures accompanied by tendon or ligament damage

For someone who works with their hands, even a relatively small fracture can cause significant occupational problems.

How Car Accidents Cause Broken Hands and Fingers

Hand fractures can happen in almost any type of Dallas car wreck.

Gripping the Steering Wheel During Impact

Drivers often instinctively tighten their grip immediately before a collision.

When the steering wheel suddenly moves during impact, significant force can travel through the fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, and arms.

Bracing for the Collision

A driver or passenger may reach toward the dashboard, door, seat, or center console when they realize a crash is coming.

The hand can absorb tremendous force during the impact.

Airbag Deployment

Airbags deploy rapidly during certain collisions. Depending on the position of the hands and the circumstances of the crash, the force associated with the collision and airbag deployment may contribute to injuries involving the hand, wrist, fingers, or arm.

Crushing Injuries

Serious side-impact, rollover, and high-speed crashes may cause portions of the vehicle interior to collapse or shift.

A hand can become trapped between:

• The door and seat

• The steering wheel and dashboard

• Vehicle components

• A person's body and the interior of the vehicle

Crushing injuries may involve fractures as well as damage to nerves, tendons, ligaments, muscles, skin, and blood vessels.

Hand Striking the Interior of the Vehicle

During a collision, a person's hand may strike:

• The steering wheel

• Dashboard

• Door

• Window

• Center console

• Seat

• Other objects inside the vehicle

A direct blow can fracture one or more bones.

Symptoms of a Broken Hand or Finger After a Car Accident

Symptoms depend on the location and severity of the fracture.

Common symptoms can include:

• Pain

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Tenderness

• Difficulty gripping

• Weak grip strength

• Pain when moving the fingers

• Difficulty bending or straightening a finger

• A crooked or rotated finger

• Loss of normal knuckle appearance

• Numbness or tingling

• Reduced range of motion

Medical evaluation and imaging such as X-rays may be necessary to determine whether a bone is fractured and how the fracture should be treated.

Do not assume a painful or swollen finger is “just jammed” after a car wreck.

More Than a Broken Bone: Associated Hand Injuries

One reason hand fracture claims can become complicated is that the fracture may not be the only injury.

A serious collision may also cause:

• Tendon injuries

• Ligament tears

• Nerve damage

• Joint injuries

• Dislocations

• Nail-bed injuries

• Lacerations

• Crush injuries

• Wrist injuries

• Reduced sensation

• Loss of grip strength

Hand and wrist problems may also cause numbness, tingling, weakness, or difficulty holding objects. Your doctors may need to determine whether those symptoms originate in the hand itself or from an injury farther up the arm, shoulder, or neck.

Internal link: Link “arm pain, tingling, and numbness after a Dallas car wreck” to your existing article on radiating arm symptoms. Your current article discusses loss of grip strength, weakness, and hand numbness following collisions.

Diagnosing a Hand or Finger Fracture After a Dallas Car Wreck

A medical provider may examine:

• Where the hand hurts

• Swelling and bruising

• Finger alignment

• Range of motion

• Grip

• Sensation

• Circulation

• Stability of the injured finger or hand

X-rays are commonly used to diagnose fractures. More complicated injuries may require additional testing depending on the patient's symptoms and the suspected injury.

The Hand Society recommends medical evaluation and X-rays to diagnose hand fractures and determine appropriate treatment.

Treatment for Broken Hands and Fingers

Treatment depends on which bone is fractured, whether the fracture has moved out of position, whether a joint is involved, and whether other structures were damaged.

Treatment may include:

• Splinting

• Casting

• Immobilization

• Reduction of the fracture

• Orthopedic or hand-surgery evaluation

• Surgery

• Pins, screws, or plates

• Occupational therapy

• Hand therapy

• Range-of-motion exercises

More complicated or unstable fractures may require surgery. Following wrist and hand injuries, therapy may also be recommended to help restore motion and function.

Hand Surgery After a Car Accident

Some hand and finger fractures heal with immobilization. Others may require surgery.

Surgery may become necessary when:

• Bone fragments are significantly displaced

• A finger is unstable

• The finger is rotated or crooked

• The fracture involves an important joint

• Multiple bones are fractured

• The fracture is open

• Other structures have been seriously damaged

Surgical treatment can substantially increase the medical expenses, recovery period, time away from work, and overall impact of the injury.

A person may also need weeks or months of follow-up treatment and hand therapy.

Why Hand and Finger Fractures Can Be Worth More Than an Insurance Company Initially Claims

An insurance adjuster may look at a fracture and focus primarily on the medical bill.

That does not tell the entire story.

Your hands are involved in an enormous number of daily activities.

A hand injury may affect your ability to:

• Work

• Type

• Write

• Drive

• Lift

• Carry

• Cook

• Clean

• Exercise

• Play sports

• Use tools

• Care for children

• Perform personal hygiene

• Participate in hobbies

For mechanics, construction workers, electricians, plumbers, nurses, surgeons, dentists, hairstylists, musicians, warehouse workers, office workers, and many other professionals, reduced hand function can directly affect the ability to earn a living.

That functional loss may become an important part of a serious personal injury claim.

Compensation for a Hand or Finger Fracture After a Dallas Car Accident

When another driver's negligence causes a collision, an injured person may be able to pursue compensation for losses associated with the injury.

Depending on the facts, damages may include:

Medical Expenses

These may include emergency treatment, imaging, orthopedic treatment, surgery, medications, follow-up visits, and rehabilitation.

Future Medical Care

A serious fracture may require future treatment, additional procedures, therapy, injections, or follow-up medical care.

Lost Wages

If your hand injury prevents you from working during recovery, your claim may include lost income.

Loss of Earning Capacity

Permanent loss of strength, mobility, coordination, or dexterity can be particularly important when a person's occupation depends on using their hands.

Pain and Suffering

Hand fractures can cause significant pain during treatment and recovery.

Physical Impairment

A lasting inability to grip, lift, type, write, manipulate tools, participate in hobbies, or perform normal activities may support a physical-impairment claim depending on the circumstances.

Disfigurement

Surgical scars or visible deformities involving the hand or fingers may also become part of the claim in appropriate cases.

Every claim is different. The value depends on the nature of the fracture, treatment, future medical needs, lost income, long-term limitations, available insurance, liability evidence, and other circumstances.

We Have Recovered Millions for Clients With Hand Injuries

The Wooley Law Firm has represented many clients suffering serious hand injuries, including fractures, after accidents.

We understand how damaging a hand injury can be even when an insurance company attempts to characterize it as a small or isolated broken bone.

We have recovered millions of dollars for clients with hand injuries, including clients whose injuries affected their work and daily lives.

Our goal is to document not only the diagnosis but also what the injury actually means to the person living with it.

That can include investigating:

• The type and location of the fracture

• Whether surgery was required

• Medical expenses

• Future treatment

• Hand therapy

• Lost wages

• Loss of earning capacity

• Grip-strength limitations

• Reduced dexterity

• Pain

• Permanent impairment

• Effects on work and everyday activities

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.

Do Not Settle a Broken Hand Claim Too Early

Insurance companies sometimes make settlement offers before a person has completed treatment.

That can be risky with hand injuries.

You may not immediately know whether you will regain:

• Full range of motion

• Normal grip strength

• Finger dexterity

• Sensation

• Ability to work without pain

• Ability to perform repetitive tasks

Before resolving a claim, it is important to understand the injury, recommended treatment, medical expenses, and potential long-term limitations.

Your existing article about medical treatment after Dallas car wrecks also explains why understanding medical bills and treatment is important before settling a claim.

Internal link: Link “getting medical care after a Dallas car accident” to that article.

What Should I Do After a Dallas Car Accident If I Think My Hand Is Broken?

If you suffer hand or finger pain after a crash:

1. Get medical treatment. A medical examination can determine whether you have a fracture or another injury.

2. Photograph visible injuries. Swelling, bruising, casts, splints, scars, and surgical incisions can change over time.

3. Keep your medical records and bills.

4. Document work restrictions. Save doctor's notes and records showing missed work.

5. Keep track of daily limitations. Note activities that have become difficult because of your hand injury.

6. Be careful when speaking with the insurance company. Insurance adjusters may attempt to minimize injuries or obtain statements that reduce the value of a claim.

7. Do not sign a release until you understand what you are giving up.

Your existing insurance-adjuster article provides additional guidance on statements that can hurt an injury claim.

How a Dallas Car Accident Lawyer Can Help With a Hand Fracture Claim

A Dallas car accident attorney can investigate the collision and build evidence showing both how the crash occurred and how the injury has affected your life.

That may involve:

• Obtaining the crash report

• Locating witnesses

• Preserving photographs and video

• Reviewing insurance coverage

• Collecting medical records

• Documenting surgeries and rehabilitation

• Calculating lost income

• Evaluating future medical needs

• Documenting permanent impairment

• Negotiating with insurance companies

• Filing a lawsuit when necessary

The Wooley Law Firm represents people injured in serious Dallas car accidents and handles claims involving wrist and hand injuries.

Internal link: Link “Dallas car accident lawyer” to your Dallas Car Accident Lawyer practice page.

Talk to a Dallas Car Accident Lawyer About Your Broken Hand or Finger

A broken hand or broken finger may affect much more than your medical records. It may affect your ability to work, earn income, care for your family, drive, use a computer, lift objects, and live your normal life.

If you suffered a carpal fracture, metacarpal fracture, phalange fracture, broken hand, broken thumb, or broken finger in a Dallas car accident, The Wooley Law Firm can evaluate your claim and help you understand your options.

Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a car accident break your hand?

Yes. Hands can be fractured when they strike the steering wheel, dashboard, door, or other interior surface, or when force travels through the hand while a person braces for impact.

Can you break a finger in a car accident?

Yes. Car crashes can fracture one or more phalanges in the fingers or thumb. A finger fracture can affect the function of the entire hand.

What is a metacarpal fracture?

A metacarpal fracture is a break involving one of the five long bones between the wrist and fingers.

What is a phalange fracture?

A phalange fracture is a break involving one of the bones in a finger or thumb. The plural term is phalanges.

Can a broken hand require surgery?

Yes. Some displaced, unstable, rotated, or otherwise complicated hand fractures may require surgical stabilization.

How much is a broken hand car accident claim worth?

There is no automatic settlement amount. The potential value depends on factors such as the type of fracture, surgery, medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment, permanent impairment, pain, effects on employment, available insurance coverage, and liability.

Should I accept an insurance settlement while my hand is still healing?

Be cautious about settling before you understand your prognosis and future treatment. Once a claim is fully released, you generally cannot seek additional compensation from the released party simply because the injury later turns out to be worse than expected.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.