Car accidents are some of the most common causes of personal injury-related broken bones. Along with fractures, these collisions can lead to additional significant injuries, such as lacerations, bruising, nerve damage, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord damage. Some of the most common broken bones that car accident victims suffer from include the following.
Arm fractures: During a car accident, you may instinctively brace yourself for impact by shielding your face with your arm. This action can lead to your arm colliding with the steering wheel or dashboard, leading to a break.
Rib fractures: These are some of the most common injuries sustained in a car accident due to the safety mechanisms we have in our vehicles. The impact of the collision combined with the force between your body and the seatbelt or airbag can lead to a broken bone.
Hip fractures: Injuries to the hips are another common car accident injury. This may occur due to the force of the body against the seatbelt, or damage sustained in the crash itself, especially if the other vehicle collided with the side of your car.
Clavicle or collarbone fractures: Our seatbelts may also play a role in clavicle fractures during a car accident, but this bone is much more fragile than others. As a result, it is susceptible to fracturing during a crash.
Wrist fractures: Our wrist bones are also some of the most fragile in our bodies, and you may suffer a fracture to this area during a car accident. For example, bracing your face with your arm before impact can lead to a broken wrist.
Facial and skull fractures: Our face and head are vulnerable areas of the body, and you may experience damage to this area during a collision. For example, your face may slam against the windshield if you were not wearing a seatbelt, or you may hit your head on the steering wheel with great force. Damage to the skull can result in traumatic brain injury as well.
Back fractures: It is very common to experience some damage to your back during a car accident, especially to your disks. These are common injuries in head-on collisions and rear-end crashes.
Leg fractures: You may experience a broken femur, tibia, or fibula during the course of a car accident. Although these bones are some of the strongest in the body, a high-impact collision or a crumpling car can easily snap these areas.