Wrist Injuries After a Dallas Car Accident: What Victims Need to Know

A wrist injury after a car accident can be painful, frustrating, and more serious than it first appears. Many people leave a crash thinking they only have soreness, swelling, or a minor sprain, only to later discover that they suffered a fracture, ligament tear, tendon injury, nerve injury, or cartilage damage.

Wrist injuries are common after Dallas car accidents because drivers and passengers often brace for impact. In the seconds before a crash, a person may grip the steering wheel tightly, press their hands against the dashboard, or throw their hands forward to protect themselves. The force of impact can bend, twist, crush, or hyperextend the wrist.

Even a seemingly minor wrist injury can create major problems. Your wrist is involved in almost everything you do: driving, working, typing, lifting, dressing, cooking, cleaning, exercising, and caring for children. When the wrist does not heal properly, the injury can lead to chronic pain, weakness, stiffness, reduced grip strength, arthritis, and long-term limitations.

At The Wooley Law Firm, Dallas car accident lawyer Andrew J. Wooley represents injured crash victims with wrist injuries ranging from sprains and soft tissue injuries to serious fractures and surgical injuries. These claims may involve emergency room treatment, x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, orthopedic care, hand specialists, casting, bracing, injections, surgery, physical therapy, occupational therapy, lost wages, pain, impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Before accepting a settlement from an insurance company, it is important to fully understand the nature of your wrist injury, your future medical needs, and how the injury may affect your work and daily life.

If you suffered a wrist injury in a Dallas car accident, call The Wooley Law Firm at 214-699-6524 or contact us through our website for a free case evaluation.

Why Wrist Injuries After a Car Accident Should Be Taken Seriously

Insurance companies often try to minimize wrist injury claims. They may argue that the injury is “just a sprain,” that the x-ray was normal, or that the pain should have resolved quickly. However, wrist injuries can be complex. A normal x-ray does not always rule out a serious injury.

Some wrist fractures are difficult to see on early imaging. Ligament tears, TFCC injuries, tendon injuries, cartilage damage, and nerve problems may require additional testing, follow-up evaluation, or advanced imaging. In some cases, wrist pain that seems minor at first can turn into a condition that requires surgery.

Car accident victims should be cautious before settling too quickly. Once a settlement is signed, the insurance company will usually not pay more money if the wrist injury later requires injections, surgery, therapy, or additional treatment.

Common Causes of Wrist Injuries in Dallas Car Accidents

Wrist injuries can happen in many types of motor vehicle collisions. Common causes include:

• Bracing against the steering wheel before impact

• Gripping the steering wheel tightly during a crash

• Airbag deployment forcefully striking the hand or wrist

• The wrist hitting the dashboard, door, window, or center console

• Falling or being thrown inside the vehicle

• Twisting of the wrist during a rollover crash

• Crush injuries in severe collisions

• Pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle, and truck accidents

• Rideshare, delivery vehicle, and commercial vehicle crashes

A wrist injury does not have to involve a broken bone to be serious. Ligament tears, cartilage injuries, tendon injuries, and nerve damage can cause lasting pain and disability.

Symptoms of a Wrist Injury After a Car Accident

Wrist injury symptoms may appear immediately after the crash or worsen over the next several days. Common symptoms include:

• Wrist pain

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Tenderness

• Stiffness

• Weakness

• Reduced grip strength

• Pain when lifting or carrying objects

• Pain when typing, writing, or using a phone

• Numbness or tingling

• Clicking, popping, or catching

• Difficulty bending or rotating the wrist

• Pain that worsens with movement

• Visible deformity

• Inability to bear weight through the hand

• Pain that radiates into the hand, thumb, or forearm

Any of these symptoms should be taken seriously. A crash victim may need medical evaluation, diagnostic imaging, orthopedic care, a hand specialist, splinting, casting, therapy, injections, or surgery.

Wrist Sprains After a Car Accident

A wrist sprain occurs when the ligaments in the wrist are stretched or torn. This can happen when the wrist is forced backward, twisted, or compressed during a crash. Although insurance companies may treat sprains as minor injuries, some wrist sprains can be serious and long-lasting.

Symptoms of a wrist sprain may include:

• Pain

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Tenderness

• Weakness

• Pain with movement

• Reduced range of motion

• Difficulty gripping objects

Mild sprains may improve with rest, bracing, ice, medication, and therapy. More serious sprains may involve ligament tearing and require further evaluation. If pain continues, a doctor may recommend an MRI or referral to an orthopedic specialist.

Wrist Fractures After a Dallas Car Accident

A wrist fracture is one of the most common serious wrist injuries after a car accident. A fracture can happen when the wrist strikes part of the vehicle, when the hand is forced against the steering wheel, or when a person braces for impact.

Common wrist fractures after a crash may include:

• Distal radius fracture

• Scaphoid fracture

• Ulna fracture

• Carpal bone fracture

• Comminuted fracture

• Displaced fracture

• Intra-articular fracture involving the joint surface

Symptoms of a wrist fracture may include:

• Severe pain

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Tenderness

• Difficulty moving the wrist

• Visible deformity

• Pain with gripping

• Numbness or tingling

• Inability to use the hand normally

Some wrist fractures can be treated with a splint or cast. More serious fractures may require surgery with plates, screws, pins, or other hardware. Even after the bone heals, a victim may need physical therapy or occupational therapy to restore strength and motion.

A wrist fracture can also lead to long-term problems, including stiffness, weakness, arthritis, nerve irritation, and permanent loss of function.

Scaphoid Fractures After a Car Accident

The scaphoid is a small bone near the base of the thumb. Scaphoid fractures are important because they can be difficult to diagnose early and may not always appear clearly on initial x-rays.

A scaphoid fracture may occur when the wrist is forced backward during a crash or when a person braces against the steering wheel or dashboard.

Symptoms may include:

• Pain near the base of the thumb

• Tenderness in the “snuffbox” area of the wrist

• Swelling

• Pain with gripping

• Pain when moving the thumb or wrist

• Weakness

Scaphoid fractures can be serious because this bone has a limited blood supply. If the injury is missed or not treated properly, the bone may not heal correctly. In some cases, surgery may be required.

Distal Radius Fractures After a Car Accident

The radius is one of the major bones in the forearm. A distal radius fracture occurs near the wrist and can happen when the wrist absorbs force during a collision.

Symptoms of a distal radius fracture may include:

• Pain near the wrist

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Visible deformity

• Difficulty rotating the wrist or forearm

• Pain with gripping

• Weakness

• Numbness or tingling

Treatment depends on the severity of the fracture. Some fractures are treated with casting. Others require surgery to realign and stabilize the bone. Recovery can take months, especially if the fracture affects the joint surface or requires hardware.

TFCC Tears After a Car Accident

The triangular fibrocartilage complex, commonly called the TFCC, is a structure on the small-finger side of the wrist that helps stabilize the wrist and allows smooth rotation of the forearm. A TFCC tear can occur when the wrist is twisted, compressed, or forcefully bent during a crash.

Symptoms of a TFCC tear may include:

• Pain on the pinky side of the wrist

• Clicking or popping

• Weak grip

• Pain with twisting motions

• Pain when turning a doorknob

• Pain when lifting objects

• Wrist instability

• Swelling

TFCC injuries are often frustrating because they may not be obvious on x-rays. A doctor may order an MRI or refer the patient to a hand and wrist specialist. Treatment may include bracing, medication, therapy, injections, or surgery.

Ligament Injuries in the Wrist

The wrist contains many small bones and ligaments that work together to provide movement and stability. A car accident can tear or stretch these ligaments, causing pain, instability, and weakness.

One serious ligament injury is a scapholunate ligament tear. This injury can cause long-term wrist instability and may lead to arthritis if untreated.

Symptoms of wrist ligament injuries may include:

• Deep wrist pain

• Clicking or clunking

• Weak grip

• Pain with push-ups or lifting

• Swelling

• Reduced motion

• Feeling that the wrist is unstable

These injuries may require advanced imaging and specialist evaluation. Some ligament injuries heal with conservative care, while others may require surgery.

Tendon Injuries After a Car Accident

Tendons connect muscles to bones and allow the wrist, hand, and fingers to move. A car accident can strain, inflame, or tear tendons in the wrist and hand.

Symptoms of tendon injury may include:

• Pain with movement

• Weakness

• Swelling

• Difficulty moving the wrist or fingers

• Tenderness along the tendon

• Clicking or snapping sensation

• Loss of strength

Treatment may involve rest, bracing, medication, therapy, injections, or surgery depending on the severity of the injury.

Nerve Injuries, Numbness, and Tingling After a Crash

Wrist trauma can irritate or injure nerves that travel into the hand. Some crash victims experience numbness, tingling, burning pain, weakness, or changes in sensation after a wrist injury.

Symptoms may involve:

• Thumb

• Index finger

• Middle finger

• Ring finger

• Pinky finger

• Palm

• Wrist

• Forearm

Nerve symptoms should not be ignored. They may indicate swelling, compression, carpal tunnel symptoms, ulnar nerve irritation, or another injury. A doctor may recommend nerve testing, imaging, bracing, therapy, injections, or surgery.

Airbag Wrist Injuries

Airbags can save lives, but the force of deployment can also cause hand and wrist injuries. A driver’s hands are often on the steering wheel when the airbag deploys. The sudden force can bend the wrist backward, strike the hand, or cause burns, bruising, sprains, fractures, or ligament injuries.

Airbag-related wrist injuries may involve:

• Bruising

• Burns or abrasions

• Sprains

• Fractures

• Tendon irritation

• Nerve symptoms

• Hand injuries

• Thumb injuries

Even if the airbag prevented a more severe injury, the wrist injury may still require medical treatment and should be included in the car accident claim.

How Wrist Injuries Are Diagnosed After a Car Accident

A wrist injury may require several forms of medical evaluation. Depending on the symptoms, a doctor may recommend:

• Physical examination

• X-rays

• MRI

• CT scan

• Orthopedic referral

• Hand specialist referral

• Range-of-motion testing

• Grip strength testing

• Nerve testing

• Follow-up imaging

• Surgical consultation

It is important for car accident victims to explain how the injury happened, when the pain started, whether symptoms have worsened, and how the wrist injury affects daily activities and work.

Treatment for Wrist Injuries After a Dallas Car Accident

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury. Common treatment may include:

• Rest

• Ice

• Compression

• Elevation

• Anti-inflammatory medication

• Pain medication

• Wrist brace

• Splint

• Cast

• Physical therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Steroid injections

• Orthopedic care

• Hand specialist care

• Arthroscopic surgery

• Open reduction internal fixation surgery

• Ligament repair

• Tendon repair

• Hardware placement

• Long-term rehabilitation

Some injuries improve with conservative treatment. Others require surgery and ongoing therapy. Either way, the cost of treatment and the impact on the victim’s life should be considered before settling with the insurance company.

How a Wrist Injury Can Affect Your Work and Daily Life

A wrist injury can interfere with almost every part of daily life. Even a non-dominant wrist injury can make routine tasks difficult. A dominant-hand wrist injury can be especially limiting.

Wrist injuries may affect your ability to:

• Type

• Write

• Drive

• Lift objects

• Carry groceries

• Cook

• Clean

• Dress

• Bathe

• Exercise

• Work with tools

• Perform manual labor

• Care for children

• Use a phone

• Sleep comfortably

For workers who use their hands, wrists, or arms throughout the day, a wrist injury can create serious wage loss and job limitations. This may include construction workers, delivery drivers, nurses, dental assistants, office workers, warehouse workers, mechanics, restaurant workers, hairstylists, and many others.

Compensation for a Wrist Injury After a Dallas Car Accident

A wrist injury claim may include compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Depending on the case, damages may include:

• Emergency room bills

• Urgent care bills

• Doctor visits

• Orthopedic treatment

• Hand specialist treatment

• X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans

• Physical therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Injections

• Surgery

• Future medical expenses

• Lost wages

• Loss of earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Physical impairment

• Mental anguish

• Disfigurement from surgery or scarring

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Out-of-pocket expenses

A serious wrist injury can affect more than medical bills. It can limit independence, work, household responsibilities, hobbies, sports, exercise, and the ability to live normally.

Why You Should Not Settle Too Early After a Wrist Injury

Insurance companies may contact you quickly after a Dallas car accident and offer a settlement before you know the full extent of your wrist injury. This can be risky.

Before resolving your claim, you should know the answers to important questions:

• Do you need an MRI or CT scan?

• Have you seen an orthopedic doctor or hand specialist?

• Is there a fracture that was missed on early imaging?

• Is there a ligament tear or TFCC tear?

• Is surgery recommended?

• Will you need future treatment?

• Are you still having pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness?

• Can you return to work?

• Is your grip strength reduced?

• Can you type, write, lift, drive, and perform daily tasks normally?

• Do you have permanent impairment?

• Have all medical bills been obtained?

• Have future medical expenses been evaluated?

Once you accept a settlement, you generally cannot reopen the claim later because your wrist injury became worse or required surgery. A Dallas car accident lawyer can help evaluate the claim before the insurance company pushes you into a low settlement.

How The Wooley Law Firm Helps Dallas Car Accident Victims

The Wooley Law Firm helps injured car accident victims pursue compensation after serious wrist injuries. Depending on the facts of the case, we may help by:

• Investigating the crash

• Reviewing the police report

• Identifying all insurance coverage

• Communicating with the insurance company

• Gathering medical records and bills

• Documenting lost wages

• Evaluating future medical expenses

• Reviewing orthopedic and hand specialist recommendations

• Calculating pain, impairment, and loss of enjoyment damages

• Negotiating with the insurance company

• Filing a lawsuit when necessary

Insurance companies are not on your side after a wreck. Their goal is to pay as little as possible. Before giving a recorded statement, signing paperwork, or accepting a settlement, speak with a Dallas car accident lawyer who can protect your rights.

Dallas Car Accident Wrist Injury Lawyer

If you suffered a wrist injury in a car accident in Dallas, Fort Worth, or anywhere in North Texas, The Wooley Law Firm may be able to help. Andrew J. Wooley represents car accident victims with minor and severe wrist injuries and helps them pursue full compensation, including surgical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Call 214-699-6524 or contact us through our website for a free case evaluation.

You don’t pay unless we win.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wrist Injuries After a Car Accident

Can a car accident cause a broken wrist?

Yes. A car accident can cause a broken wrist when the hand or wrist strikes part of the vehicle, braces against the steering wheel, or absorbs force during impact. Wrist fractures may require casting, bracing, therapy, or surgery.

Can a car accident cause a wrist sprain?

Yes. A crash can force the wrist to bend or twist in an unnatural way, causing a sprain. Some sprains are minor, but others involve serious ligament damage.

What if my wrist x-ray was normal but I still have pain?

A normal x-ray does not always rule out a serious wrist injury. Some fractures, ligament tears, TFCC injuries, tendon injuries, and cartilage injuries may require MRI, CT scan, or specialist evaluation.

What is a TFCC tear?

A TFCC tear is an injury to cartilage and stabilizing tissue on the small-finger side of the wrist. It can cause pain, clicking, weakness, and difficulty twisting or gripping.

Can airbag deployment injure my wrist?

Yes. Airbag deployment can injure the wrist, hand, thumb, and forearm. The force can cause bruising, burns, sprains, fractures, ligament injuries, or nerve symptoms.

Should I settle my car accident claim before my wrist treatment is finished?

It is usually risky to settle before you understand the full extent of your wrist injury. If you later need injections, surgery, therapy, or future treatment, the insurance company may not have to pay more after a settlement is signed.

What compensation can I recover for a wrist injury after a Dallas car accident?

Compensation may include medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, physical impairment, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Important Note

Andrew J. Wooley is not a healthcare provider. He is an attorney who primarily practices personal injury law. If you have questions about a wrist injury, medical treatment, symptoms, or your overall health, you should contact a qualified healthcare provider.

For more information about your rights after a wreck, visit our Dallas Car Accident Lawyer page.