5 Common Wrist and Hand Injuries in a Car Accident Involving a Bicyclist

Unfortunately, bike and car accidents often result in wrist and hand injuries. Here are some common injuries and what you can do to protect your legal rights.

When you fall off—or get thrown off—your bicycle, your first instinct may be to let go of the handlebars and extend your hands and arms to brace your fall. While it may seem like the right thing to do, it can also be a recipe for debilitating hand and arm injuries. 

Let’s consider some of the common hand and arm injuries you may suffer in a St. Louis bike and car accident and how they are generally treated. We’ll also share some helpful tips on how to ensure your legal rights are protected after an accident.

5 Common Injuries

1. Wrist Fractures

In most cases, this involves the fracture of the end (distal) portion of the forearm bone. Common symptoms of a fractured wrist include excruciating pain, numbness, swelling, stiffness, or immobility.

If left untreated, a wrist fracture can lead to permanent wrist deformity or nerve damage. Therefore, do not ignore even the slightest wrist discomfort after a bicycle accident. Your doctor will likely immobilize the injured wrist to promote bone alignment and healing or correct it using surgical treatment to fix a wrist fracture.

2. Scaphoid Fracture

When you extend your hands and arms to brace your fall, the small bone located at the base of the thumb (scaphoid) may get compressed, leading to a scaphoid fracture. A scaphoid fracture is often characterized by thumb immobility, swelling, and acute pain. 

It’s worth noting that this type of fracture may not be visible on x-rays right after the accident. As such, you may have to wait for at least seven days before it’s confirmed, then undergo cast or surgical treatment.

3. Finger Fractures

Your fingers are arguably one of the most vulnerable body parts in a car-on-bike collision. Most finger fractures occur when:

• The ligament and the bone that connect them to your hand separates
• When two pieces of broken bones are jammed together, leading to an impacted fracture
• When finger bones are sheared and split

If you have suffered a finger fracture, visit a hand specialist immediately to restore your finger motion and function.

4. Sprains

A fall from a bicycle can make the ligaments that hold your wrist bones together to be torn, leading to a sprain injury. The primary symptoms include pain and swelling. While the symptoms may go away on their own, the best option is to seek medical attention to rule out any serious complications and protect your claim.

5. Superficial Injuries

These include bruises, lacerations, or abrasions. They occur when the palm of your hand is rubbed and torn after it comes into contact with the rough surface of the road.

Pursuing Compensation

Hand injuries can be expensive to treat. And even after extensive treatment, there’s no guarantee that you will completely heal or recover. Even worse, some of these injuries can leave you with a lifelong disability. 

The good news is you can generally get compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses you’ve incurred due to your injuries. However, this doesn’t mean your compensation claim will be accepted automatically. You’ll be required to back your claim with solid evidence, showing that your injuries resulted from your accident. Insurance companies will typically fight back and try to minimize or deny your claim. This is why it’s crucial to speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney. Your attorney can help you file your claim, collect evidence and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. 

We Are Here to Help!

If you have suffered a hand or arm injury after a car and bike collision, you may be eligible for compensation. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. 24/7 for a free case evaluation. We have 25 years of experience protecting the rights of injured car accident victims and can help you understand what you are legally entitled to after an accident.