Motorcycle accidents
Causes of Broken Wrists on Motorcycles
When a motorcycle rider crashes into something, the bike is stopped fairly quickly leaving the rider to propel forward. Depending on the circumstances, when this happens, the wrists are especially vulnerable to breaks and sprains. This is because the rider often grips the handle bars tightly to prepare for the crash, and the force of the body coming into the handle bars can cause the wrists to break. Also, the rider is often ejected from the bike over the handle bars and breaks their wrist bracing themselves against whatever they hit. This can cause severe injury to one’s wrist. In other types of ejectment, such as a broadside or laying the bike down, wrists can be broken when the rider braces themselves from the impact of the ground.Type of Wrist Fractures
There are 10 bones that make up the wrist, and anyone can be broken. However, there are common types of wrist fractures. Wrist fractures are put into two broad categories: stable and unstable. A stable fracture is one where the bone largely remains in place and will typically not require surgery. A non-stable fracture means that the bone has moved out of place and will have to me surgically restored with pins and screws.Distal Radius Fracture
This is the most common type of wrist fracture. The radius, along with the ulna, is one of two bones that make up the forearm. Distal means the portion that meets the wrist bones and is considered part of the wrist. This is the bone on the thumb side of the wrist and bears 80 percent of the weight and force when someone falls with an outstretched hand. Recovery time for this type of fracture can be 3 to 6 months depending on the severity of the break.Scaphoid Fracture
A scaphoid fracture is a break in one of the eight small bones that make up the wrist. These injuries are common in motorcycle accidents and happen when the person braces themselves while bending their wrist. Carpal bones have poor blood circulation, and a break can take up to 4 to 6 months to heal.Distal Ulnar Fracture
This is a break in the other forearm bone (ulnar) and to the distal region next to the wrist. Though it’s a forearm bone, like the distal radius, it’s considered part of the wrist. A break in this bone is rare, but when it occurs, it can be serious and complicated due to the fibrocartilage complex. Treatment can be extensive and take many months to heal.Compensation Damages for Broken Wrists From Motorcycle Crash
Most people realize that when you are injured through someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation which includes things like medical bills and disability. However, there are many categories of damages that one can seek under California’s tort laws:- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages, past and future
- Permanent Disability
- Permanent scarring/disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life (unable to ride again)
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
