Broken bones are not uncommon in car accidents depending on the severity of the accident and whether or not you were wearing your seat belt. The shock and stress of a car accident may also prevent you from recognizing you have been injured right away, or you might think your injury isn’t as serious as it actually is. You have over 200 bones in your body, so if you find yourself searching for a “car accident doctor near me” then you want to find a specialist who can treat your broken bones safely and effectively.
Why Broken Bones Are Common in Car Accidents
A broken bone is a common occurrence in car accidents for a number of reasons. First, the force of the accident can cause your body to get shaken up and jostled around inside the car. While your seat belt works to prevent you from being ejected from the vehicle during an accident, it can’t protect your whole body from injury. Your head and neck are susceptible to getting shaken around, your arms may get flung around, and your legs could get pinned by the dashboard or steering wheel. All these are possibilities when you are in a serious car accident. If you suspect a broken bone after a car accident, don’t hesitate to visit a Jonesboro car accident doctor near you as soon as possible.
Types of Broken Bones
Some broken bones are more obvious than others. The most obvious broken bone is known as a compound fracture, where the broken bone actually punctures through the skin. If you suffer a compound fracture then you will likely receive medical attention at the scene of the accident. Other broken bones are not always so easy to detect right away. Damage to joints like the wrists and elbows might feel like a sprain at first, but a doctor will be able to determine if any bones were broken. A hairline fracture refers to a broken bone where what looks like a teeny tiny crack appears in your bone.
5 Most Commonly Broken Bones in Car Accidents
The type of car accident you were in and the severity can determine what type of broken bone is most likely to occur. Here are five of the most commonly broken bones in car accidents:
Collarbone
The collarbone, also known as the clavicle, is the perpendicular bone that connects your shoulder blade to the breastbone in the center of your chest. A collarbone injury is likely in a car accident when the force of the accident causes your upper body to strain forward against the seat belt. In a rear-end collision, the car that hits you from behind can cause such a strong force that your body involuntarily flies forward which can result in a seat belt injury to the collarbone area.
Wrist
A wrist injury is common with a car accident because of where your hands are typically located in the car. If you don’t see the car accident coming, then your arms may be extended and your hands gripping the steering wheel. The force of impact may cause send a strong jolt through your arms and put pressure on your wrists at the wheel. You can also injure your wrists by bracing yourself for impact. There are several bones that make up the wrist joint and all of them are susceptible to a fracture from a car accident.
Leg
It is possible to break your leg during a car accident, especially if there is damage to the front or side of the car you are in. Your legs could become pinned down if the structure of the car is compromised, which can put too much pressure on your leg bones. If you are in a car accident where the other vehicle hit the side of your car, the door frame or other part of the car could also hurt your leg.
Knee
A knee injury can occur with a car accident when the force of impact causes your knees to hit the dashboard or other part of the car. Similar to a leg injury, your knee joint can also be damaged by any damage done to the vehicle’s structure as well. Whether you are driving or a front seat passenger, your knees are susceptible to injury if they come into contact with the dashboard.
Vertebrae
Your spine is also susceptible to injury from a car accident, including fractures in your vertebrae. When the force of the accident stresses your muscles and tendons that support your back and neck, the vertebrae can become misaligned. Strong force and pressure can also cause damage like a fracture to one or more vertebrae.
If you suffered a broken bone in a car accident, visit AICA Orthopedics in Jonesboro to meet with our team of car accident doctors near you and get started on your treatment today!