Collarbone Fractures: Common Yet Serious Florida Car Accident Injuries
There’s no question that seat belts save lives, but sometimes they can also cause injuries during Florida car accidents. While it is the law that all occupants wear seat belts and seat belts do prevent the majority of serious injuries in crashes, many people don’t realize that seat belts can cause shoulder injuries.
While any shoulder injury is way better than being ejected from a car in a collision, shoulder injuries can still be serious and quite painful. One such seat belt shoulder-related injury that occurs in a car accident is a broken collarbone.
Shockingly, the collarbone, also known as the clavicle, is the most commonly broken bone in the human body. When it breaks, it can cause serious shoulder pain and be accompanied by bruising and a visible bump or deformity of the shoulder.
How Does the Collarbone Break in a Car Accident?
When a direct blow to the chest and shoulder occurs in a collision, or a seat belt locks up to prevent a motorist from flying forward during a crash, enough force can cause a collarbone to break. When a broken collarbone is the result of a crash, an injured victim needs to be evaluated for other possible injuries, such as nerve injuries, blood vessel injuries, and rib injuries.
When high-impact crashes occur, it is always wise to have a doctor perform a detailed examination of the chest, neck, and head to determine if any other injuries occurred. If a broken collarbone is the only injury a car accident victim sustained, he or she may need immobilization or surgery.
Types of Broken Collarbone Treatments
If the collarbone is minimally fractured, a person will not have to undergo surgery. Instead, treatment may include a sling for immobilization, and a person should be restricted from lifting with the injured arm. Someone can heal from an injury of this nature within six weeks to three months. However, if the injury is more severe, surgery may be required. For example, when multiple fractures occur or significant shortening of the bone happens, a surgeon will use plate and screw surgical treatment to help the collarbone heal. When surgery occurs, it can take four to six months or longer before an injured person can return to normal.
Are There Any Complications of Broken Collarbone Treatments?
Sometimes broken bones don’t heal in perfect position, range of motion may be limited, or persistent pain may occur in the shoulder. If the bone fails to align properly or heal correctly, surgery may be needed.
When car accident victims suffer broken collarbones and serious shoulder injuries, they need to be compensated adequately. To learn about your rights and collecting just compensation following a Fort Lauderdale car crash that caused your broken clavicle, contact the Law Offices of David Benenfeld at 954-677-0155. We will provide you with a free consultation to answer your questions and inform you about your rights.
