Over 3,000 motorcycle crashes with injuries occurred in 2017 in Los Angeles County. Of those, many were broken bones including broken wrists. An injury to a wrist can significantly alter a person’s life.

The motorcycle accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Steers & Associates believe that every biker is entitled to their share of the road, safely and enjoyably. Although riding a motorcycle comes with a heightened risk, it should not preclude our clients from participating in a riding pleasure they love. The lawyers in our firm are committed to upholding the rights of motorcyclists who have been injured by the negligence of another.

We provide free consultations to riders of all ages and walks of life who have had their lives disrupted by motorcycle accidents. If you have a wrist fracture or any other type of injury, contact us today for a free consultation.

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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

What If I’m Involved in a Motorcycle Accident?

Broken wrist injuries can be painful, debilitating and discouraging. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, do the following to protect yourself from physical as well as financial losses.

Stay calm/Be safe: A motorcycle rider is usually on the ground unprotected after a collision. If you can move and you think it’s safe to do so, get to a safe location to avoid a secondary collision.

Get Info/Pictures: Only if you are able, but if so, take pictures with your phone and get as much information as you can. Don’t rely on the authorities as they may not be on the top or their game that day.

Heal/Rehab: Get better and do what your doctors say.

Don’t talk about the Accident:  The insurance company or any of their lawyers or private investigators will often want to speak about the accident. Don’t talk to them until you speak to a professional. They only have their client’s best interest at fault, not yours.

Talk to an attorney: Even if you don’t think you need an attorney, speak to a motorcycle personal injury attorney to get unbiased advice and a case evaluation. Consultations are free, so it costs you only your time.

Choose the Right Attorney: If you do decide to get an attorney, find one that knows motorcycle personal injury law and has the experience skill to go against the resources of the big insurance companies and their attorneys.

 

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