This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Ruben Davidoff following our comprehensive editorial guidelines Ruben Davidoff ,the Founding Partner, has 30+ years of legal experience as a New York personal injury attorney.

A broken arm is one of the most painful and disruptive injuries you can suffer in a car accident. You might lose the ability to work, care for your family, or even perform everyday tasks like brushing your teeth or making food. These injuries are more than just painful, as they often lead to costly medical bills, lost wages, and long recovery periods.
Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we help accident victims who suffer broken bones and other serious injuries. If your arm was broken in a car crash, we are here to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Whether the injury happened in a rear-end accident or a serious collision, our team of queens car accident lawyers can help you understand your legal rights and guide you through the next steps. You don’t have to face this alone. We’re here to make sure your voice is heard.
Table of Contents
Why Broken Arms Are Common in Car Accidents
A broken arm is one of the most common car accident injuries. The force of the crash, along with how people react during the moment of impact, often causes the arms to take a hit. Whether from the steering wheel, airbag, or door, the arm is often in harm’s way.
Force of Impact During Collisions
When a car accident happens, the human body experiences an intense and sudden force that it simply isn’t built to handle. The energy created during a crash moves through the car and into your body, often causing bones to break.
Arms are especially vulnerable because they are usually extended toward the steering wheel, dashboard, or nearby surfaces at the time of the crash. Whether the motor vehicle collision happens at a slow speed in traffic or during a high-speed impact, the shock that travels through your limbs can be enough to cause a painful bone fracture.
In many auto accident situations, the driver’s or passenger’s arm absorbs the brunt of the blow, leading to breaks that require long healing times, costly medical treatment, and sometimes surgery. This type of injury is one of the more common car accident injuries, especially in queens personal injury cases where road conditions or driver behavior lead to sudden, unexpected crashes.
Bracing for Impact With Arms or Hands
In the moments before a car crash, most people react without thinking by throwing their arms in front of them to protect their head, chest, or face. This instinctive reaction, while understandable, often puts the arms directly in the path of harm.
Whether you're the driver or a passenger, trying to shield yourself with your arms means you’re placing your bones and joints between your body and a hard surface, such as the steering wheel, airbag, door, or dashboard. This results in a high risk of broken bones, particularly in the wrists, elbows, and forearms.
The act of bracing for impact may even lead to multiple fractures depending on the force of the collision. In some car accident cases, people suffer both a broken arm and other serious injuries, such as soft tissue injuries or even traumatic brain injuries, especially if their head is thrown forward after the initial blow. These injuries often lead to major medical bills and lost wages, which is why it's so important to work with an experienced car accident attorney to protect your rights.
Airbag Deployment or Door Frame Trauma
Airbags are designed to reduce the risk of severe injuries during a car accident, but they can also cause damage, especially to your arms. When an airbag deploys, it does so with explosive force in a split second.
If your arm is near the airbag, or across the steering wheel at the time of impact, that force can be enough to break bones or seriously strain the joints. In addition to the airbag, the structure of the car itself poses risks. Arms are often pinned or crushed against the door frame or window in side-impact crashes, such as t bone accidents, which are all too common at intersections in New York.
This type of trauma often leads to compound fractures, where the bone breaks through the skin, and can sometimes cause long-term problems like nerve damage or limited mobility. At Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we often help accident victims injured by airbags or door impacts file a strong car accident claim to get fair compensation for their pain, suffering, and future medical expenses.
Types of Arm Fractures Caused by Car Accidents

The impact of a car accident can affect different parts of the arm depending on how your body was positioned at the time of the crash. Some fractures are more complex than others, but all can lead to pain, limited movement, and long recovery times.
A few of the most common types of fractures we see in car accident cases are:
Radius and Ulna (Forearm) Fractures
The forearm contains two bones (the radius and the ulna) and both are commonly fractured in car crash situations. These injuries typically happen when someone grips the steering wheel tightly or throws their arms out to shield themselves during the impact.
If the collision is forceful enough, one or both of these bones may break completely. These types of fractures can severely limit your ability to rotate or lift your arm, making basic tasks difficult. In some car accident cases, patients need metal plates or rods to hold the bones in place while they heal.
Humerus (Upper Arm) Fractures
The humerus bone runs from your shoulder to your elbow and can break when the arm is slammed against the car door or crushed in a T-bone accident. Upper arm fractures are very painful and may cause visible swelling or sagging in the shoulder area.
These injuries can also lead to nerve damage or limited shoulder movement if not treated properly. A broken humerus may require surgery and extensive physical therapy, especially when the injury results from a high-speed auto accident or head on collision.
Wrist and Elbow Breaks
The wrist and elbow are delicate joints made up of many small bones, and they are often fractured in car accident injuries. These breaks can happen when your hand is slammed against the dashboard, door, or airbag during the crash.
Wrist injuries may cause stiffness and make it difficult to grip or lift objects, while elbow fractures can restrict arm movement for a long time. These types of injuries are serious and may require surgery, casting, and months of rehab to restore motion and reduce pain.
Compound vs. Hairline Fractures
Type of Fracture | Description | Severity | Typical Treatment | Legal Importance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Compound Fracture | The bone breaks completely and pierces through the skin, often causing bleeding and a visible wound. These injuries are common in violent motor vehicle accidents and usually result in emergency surgery. | High | Surgery, hospitalization, metal implants, and long-term physical therapy. | Strong evidence in a personal injury lawsuit due to the clear severity and high medical bills. |
Hairline Fracture | A thin crack in the bone that may not be obvious right away. These often occur during lower-impact crashes or when stress is placed on the bone while bracing. | Low to Medium | Rest, immobilization, follow-up imaging, and sometimes therapy. | Still valuable in a car accident claim, especially if it limits work or daily tasks. |
Symptoms and Treatment of a Broken Arm
After a car accident, a broken arm might be obvious, or it could take time to show symptoms. Either way, getting fast and proper care is critical. Delaying treatment can lead to serious issues, including nerve damage and long-term pain.
Here are the signs to watch for and the treatments often used in car accident cases:
Pain, Swelling, and Loss of Movement
One of the first and most common signs of a broken bone is sharp, intense pain. This pain often starts immediately after the auto accident and can worsen with any movement. Swelling may follow quickly, and in some cases, bruising appears near the area.
If the arm looks misshapen or you're unable to move it normally, you could be dealing with a serious fracture. Some accident victims also report a tingling feeling or numbness, especially if the injury is near a joint like the elbow or wrist. These symptoms are signs that the injury is more than a minor bruise and likely requires urgent care from a doctor.
Need for Imaging: X-rays or CT Scans
To confirm the injury and understand how bad it is, doctors will typically order X-rays or sometimes CT scans. These tests are crucial for spotting fractures that might not be visible on the surface, like hairline fractures or breaks near joints. Imaging can also show whether any nearby tissues or nerves were damaged during the crash.
In some serious car accident situations, multiple scans may be needed to monitor healing or check for additional injuries like soft tissue injuries or spinal cord injuries. Without this step, it's easy to miss a break that could get worse over time.
Casts, Surgery, and Physical Therapy
The treatment plan depends on how severe the fracture is. For simple breaks, a cast or sling might be enough to keep the arm stable while it heals. But if the bone is badly misaligned, crushed, or has broken through the skin (as seen in a compound fracture) then surgery may be necessary. I
n those cases, doctors often use plates, rods, or screws to hold the bone in place. After the bone begins to heal, physical therapy helps restore strength and flexibility. Many personal injury victims require months of rehab, which adds to medical expenses and time away from work. These costs should be included in your car accident claim.
Long-Term Complications Like Nerve Damage or Stiffness
Even after treatment, some people experience lasting problems. You may notice your arm doesn’t move the same as before or feels weak after activity. In more severe cases, nerves near the injury may be damaged, leading to numbness or even permanent loss of function in certain parts of the hand or arm.
Stiffness is another common issue, especially if rehab is delayed or the injury was close to a joint. These long-term complications can seriously affect your ability to work or care for yourself and should be discussed with your queens car accident attorney when pursuing a personal injury claim. They’re a key part of calculating fair compensation for your suffering and long-term limitations.
How a Lawyer Can Help With Your Broken Arm Injury Claim

After a car crash, it can be hard to deal with the pain, paperwork, and pressure from the insurance company, especially when you’re hurt. An experienced car accident lawyer can handle the legal side of things while you focus on healing.
From building your personal injury claim to fighting for fair compensation, legal help can make all the difference.
Gather Evidence and Medical Documentation
To build a strong case, your lawyer will collect every piece of important evidence. This includes the accident scene photos, your medical records, doctor notes, imaging results, and any police reports. All of this helps show how serious your personal injury is.
Your car accident attorney will also talk with you about how the car crash has affected your daily life; things like missing work, needing help at home, or changes in mobility.
Work With Orthopedic and Rehab Specialists
In broken arm injury cases, working closely with the right medical experts is key. A good lawyer can connect you with orthopedic doctors, physical therapists, and specialists who understand broken bones and how they heal.
Their input can prove the full extent of your injuries and the treatment needed. This helps show the real cost of medical expenses, therapy, and even future care.
Negotiate With Insurance or Take the Case to Court
Insurance companies often try to settle claims fast and for less money than you deserve. Your lawyer knows the tactics they use and won’t let them pressure you. They’ll speak directly with the adjusters, push for a fair settlement, and take the case to court if needed.
Having someone on your side who knows the legal process helps protect your rights and keeps you from being taken advantage of.
Fight for Maximum Compensation
A skilled attorney will work to recover maximum compensation for your injury. This includes not just medical bills, but also lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term problems caused by your broken arm.
If your injury affects your work or daily life in a major way, your lawyer will make sure that’s factored into your claim. Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers focuses on giving each case personal attention and building strong claims that help clients move forward.
FAQs
1. What should I do after a car accident caused by a negligent driver?
First, make sure you are safe and seek medical help if needed. Then, call the police so they can create a report. If possible, take photos of the car crash scene, injuries, and property damage. After that, contact Queens personal injury attorneys to learn your rights and see if you can file a car accident lawsuit.
2. Can I still file a claim if the other driver didn’t have insurance?
Yes, in some cases. If the other driver's insurance company won’t cover the damages, your own insurance might help. A skilled auto accident lawyer can look at your policy and help you understand all your options to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
3. What types of compensation can I recover after a car crash?
You may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering. In serious cases like wrongful death claims or long-term injury, you may also be entitled to money for future losses. A trusted law firm can help calculate what your case is worth.
4. How do New York traffic laws affect my personal injury claim?
Traffic laws in New York play a big role in determining fault. If the negligent driver broke any laws like running a red light or speeding, it can help your Queens car accident case. These details can also impact how much the insurance claim pays out. A knowledgeable car crash attorney will know how to use this in your favor.
5. What if the accident involved drunk or distracted driving?
Drunk driving accidents and distracted driving crashes are very serious. If the other driver was under the influence or texting, it strengthens your case. New York personal injury lawyers often handle these claims and know how to prove the other driver was at fault. You may be able to pursue compensation beyond the usual limits due to reckless behavior.
Contact Our Queens Car Accident Broken Arm Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you suffered a broken arm in a car crash, you don’t have to go through the recovery process alone. Medical care is expensive. Missing work can make things worse. The Queens personal injury attorneys at Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers are ready to help. Our team understands how a Queens car accident case can affect your life, your family, and your future.
We know how to handle insurance claim delays and how to deal with the other driver’s insurance company. We also understand how traffic laws, distracted driving, or a negligent driver can be key to building a strong case. Whether your injury was caused by drunk driving accidents, speeding, or reckless turns, we fight to help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain.
Contact our law firm today to schedule your free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win. Let us help you move forward.






