How do car accidents cause broken bones?
The force of a crash can break bones in the arms, wrists, legs, hips, ribs, collarbone, face or skull. Some fractures heal with a cast; others need surgery with plates, screws or rods.
Recovery often takes months and may affect your ability to work, drive or care for your family.
What are the symptoms of broken bones?
Signs of a fracture include severe pain, swelling, bruising, deformity and trouble moving or bearing weight.
- Severe pain at the injury site
- Swelling and bruising
- Visible deformity
- Inability to move or put weight on a limb
- Numbness or tingling
- Pain when breathing (possible rib fracture)
Small fractures — like hairline or stress fractures in the wrist, foot or ribs — can be missed at first. If pain does not improve, ask about follow-up imaging.
Read more about delayed pain after a car accident.
Why does documenting treatment matter for a claim?
Fractures usually show on imaging, but the full impact on your life needs documenting too.
- Keep imaging reports, surgical records and therapy notes.
- Track missed work and any changes to your job duties.
- Note activities you can no longer do during recovery.
- Ask your doctor about expected future treatment.
How is broken bones usually treated?
Treatment may include immobilization, surgery, pain management and physical therapy. Some fractures lead to long-term stiffness or arthritis.
Claims often wait until you reach maximum medical improvement, so the full cost of the injury is known. See how long settlements take.