You were just driving through Hawthorne, maybe heading to work or picking up your kids. Out of nowhere, a car slammed into you. At first, you felt shaken but thought you’d walk it off. Then came the swelling… the throbbing… the severe pain that wouldn’t stop. Hours later, a doctor confirmed what you feared: you have a fracture.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most common fractures in car accidents, how they happen, what recovery may look like, and why early medical attention—alongside legal insight—can make a critical difference in your outcome.
Why Are Bone Fractures So Common in Car Accidents?
In a crash, the human body becomes a vulnerable target for violent forces. Whether it’s a rear-end collision, a side-impact crash, or a head-on impact, sudden deceleration causes your body to jerk or twist unnaturally. Victims often strike the dashboard, doorframe, or steering wheel, leading to broken bones and other serious accident injuries.
Common crash scenarios include:
- Rear-end collisions that fracture the ribs or cervical spine
- Head-on crashes that shatter wrists or femurs upon impact
- Side impacts, crushing arms or pelvis against the door
Types of Fractures You May Suffer
Not all fractures are the same; the healing time, treatment options, and long-term outlook will depend on the bone fracture you suffered. Here are the most common types seen after car accidents:
- Simple Fracture – Bone breaks cleanly without piercing the skin.
- Compound Fracture – Bone breaks through the skin, posing a serious infection risk.
- Comminuted Fracture – The bone shatters into three or more bone fragments; often seen in high-impact crashes.
- Transverse Fracture – A clean break straight across the bone, often requiring surgical stabilization.
- Oblique Fracture – A diagonal break, sometimes harder to align for healing.
- Hairline or Stress Fractures – Small cracks in the bone that may go unnoticed until symptoms worsen.
Most Common Fractures After a Car Accident
Some fractures are instantly obvious. Others emerge days later as swelling and limited motion set in. Here are the most common fractures in car accidents, and what they may mean for your recovery:
Rib Fractures
One of the most painful outcomes of a motor vehicle accident, rib fractures often result from seatbelt tension or impact with the steering wheel. Breathing, laughing, or even coughing becomes excruciating. While surgery is rare, internal injuries must be ruled out, and rest is essential.
Wrist & Arm Fractures
It’s instinctive to brace yourself with your hands during a crash. Unfortunately, that reflex often leads to compound fractures or hairline breaks in the forearm, wrist, or elbow. These injuries can affect daily living—from buttoning a shirt to lifting groceries—and may require casting or surgical plates.
Pelvic & Femur Fractures
Severe and immobilizing. These are common in head-on collisions and T-bone crashes. The femur is the strongest bone in the body. Fracturing requires intense force and often leads to long recovery times, rods, and physical therapy. Pelvic injuries can affect the bladder, spine, and mobility.
Facial & Jaw Fractures
The face is especially vulnerable during impact. Broken cheekbones, jaw, or eye sockets often result from hitting the dashboard or airbag. These injuries affect appearance and can impair breathing, speech, and eating, requiring medical and cosmetic surgery.
Each of these fracture types can create long-term challenges, severe pain, unexpected financial losses, and require a personalized recovery process. That’s why securing proper medical care and connecting with our Hawthorne car accident lawyer is essential—not just for healing, but for protecting your future.
Skull Fractures & Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Not all common fractures in car accidents are visible, especially when it comes to head injuries. One of the most dangerous outcomes is a skull fracture, which can cause a traumatic brain injury from a car crash, even if symptoms are delayed. Warning TBI signs like loss of consciousness, nausea, or confusion may seem temporary, but can point to more profound trauma.
These injuries often involve brain tissue damage, including axonal injury, which disrupts communication between brain cells over time. This leads to permanent brain damage, affecting memory, mood, coordination, and personality.
The Legal Side of Fractures: When to File a Personal Injury Claim
Even “minor” fractures can derail your life, causing hospital stays, loss of income, and painful recovery. Under California Civil Code § 1714(a), every driver owes a duty of care to others on the road. If they breached that duty and caused your injuries, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim.
California law allows victims to pursue compensation for economic losses (like medical bills or missed work) and non-economic damages such as emotional distress and reduced quality of life. However, under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you typically have only two years from the crash date to file your claim. Waiting too long could permanently ban you from this right.
Why Early Treatment Is Critical—Medically and Legally
After a crash, some injuries—like soft tissue injuries or hairline fractures—may not cause immediate, intense pain. But waiting to seek care can delay healing and weaken your legal position.
Seeing a health care provider promptly ensures your injuries are properly treated and documented. These early medical records are essential evidence in the legal process, helping connect your pain to the accident and blocking the insurance company from claiming your injuries and chronic pain are unrelated.
Whether it’s a fracture, sprain, or internal bruise, your healthcare provider’s documentation protects your recovery and your right to financial compensation.
Let Us Help You Heal and Recover What You Deserve
Car accidents don’t just leave physical scars—they threaten your income, peace of mind, and long-term health. At Farahi Law Firm Hawthorne, our personal injury lawyers understand the medical and financial strain crash victims face.
We fight to secure the maximum compensation for every treatment, setback, and hardship you are owed. Don’t face recovery alone. Contact Farahi Law Firm in Hawthorne for free and get The Medical Treatment You Need and the Money You Deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Common Fractures in Car Accidents and Your Legal Rights
Every case is different. Severe injuries or disputed liability may take longer. Early medical documentation, along with legal representation, reduces delays.
Delayed symptoms are common. As long as accident victims seek care soon after the crash, the connection can still be proven, especially with expert medical support.
Yes. California follows a comparative negligence rule. Even if you share blame, you can still recover fair compensation for medical costs, non-economic damages, and emotional distress.
