Car Accident Hand and Arm Injuries
You use your hands and arms countless times for crucial daily tasks and activities. If your hand or arm gets injured in a car accident, the person responsible for the crash may be required to pay for your related physical, emotional and financial losses. Hiring a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles to represent you can help you get fair compensation for painful arm and hand injuries.
Common Hand and Arm Injuries From Automobile Accidents
The forces of an automobile accident, even at a low speed, can be enough to cause damage to the hands and arms. The shoulders, elbows, forearms, wrists and hands could suffer injuries from direct trauma in a crash, such as contact with the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield. If a victim tries to brace for impact, this can direct more energy to vulnerable areas, such as the wrists and elbow joints.
Common car accident hand and arm injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Wrist fractures
- Broken fingers
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Torn ligaments
- Bruising and contusions
- Nerve damage
- Joint injuries
- Dislocations
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Burn injuries
- Finger, hand or arm amputations
The signs and symptoms of a hand or arm injury after a car accident can include pain, swelling, bruising and a loss of mobility in the affected area. If you notice pain in your arms after a crash, this could also be a sign of a whiplash injury. Whiplash is a soft-tissue neck injury that can cause symptoms such as pain, tingling or numbness in the shoulders and arms.
How to Seek Compensation for Hand and Arm Injuries After a Car Crash in California
If you get involved in an automobile accident in California that results in arm or hand injuries, the steps that you take next are important. What you do after the crash can make or break your claim. Here’s what to do:
- Call 911 immediately to report the wreck. Request a copy of your police report.
- Do not admit fault for the accident to the other driver or the police.
- Go to the nearest hospital for prompt medical treatment.
- If you are diagnosed with hand or arm injuries, keep copies of your medical records and bills.
- Take photographs of the scene of the car crash before you leave.
- Speak to eyewitnesses and write down their contact information.
- Document your hand and arm injuries as they heal with an injury journal and photographs.
- Contact your car insurance company to notify them of the crash.
- File a claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver in pursuit of financial benefits.
- Consult with an attorney about the value of your injury claim before accepting a settlement from an insurance company.
In California, the person or party at fault for a motor vehicle collision must pay for the crash under the state’s insurance laws. It is up to you or your attorney to prove that someone else is at fault for your hand and arm injuries before that party will be required to pay for your losses.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Establishing an arm or hand injury claim after a car accident in California may require assistance from an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can investigate your crash to determine fault and collect evidence of another driver’s negligence, such as speeding or distracted driving. Then, your lawyer can file a claim with the correct insurance company and pursue fair compensation for your arm or hand injuries. Contact Rose, Klein & Marias, LLP today to start your case with a free legal consultation.