The arms often absorb the force when a crash throws the body forward or sideways. Bracing against a steering wheel, striking a door, or being jolted by a seatbelt can cause arm injuries from car accidents that are painful and slow to heal. Everyday tasks like driving, lifting, or even sleeping can become difficult when the arm is injured.
For a free consultation and to speak with a representative, please call Bensinger Legal Services at (419) 455-1410 or reach out to us online. We are here to assist you.
Here are five types of car accident arm injuries and how they affect people after a crash.
1. Fractures (Broken Bones)
An arm can break when slammed against the steering wheel, door, or window during a crash. The pain is usually sharp and immediate, often followed by swelling and bruising. Sometimes, the arm appears bent or out of place. A cast is generally needed; more complicated breaks can require surgery with pins or plates. Healing takes months and often leaves the arm stiff or with a limited range of motion.
2. Dislocations
A dislocation happens when the force of a crash knocks the shoulder or elbow joint out of place. The joint may sit at an odd angle, and any attempt to move it can send a sharp wave of pain through the arm. Ligaments or tendons around the joint are often damaged as well, which makes healing harder. Resetting the joint brings relief, but it can remain unstable and more prone to future injury.
3. Ligament Tears
The sudden twisting and stretching in a collision can tear the strong bands of tissue that hold the arm together. In a split second, a crash can force elbows and wrists beyond their normal range of motion.
A torn ligament often causes swelling and a deep, aching pain that worsens with movement. Severe damage can leave the joint unstable, making it feel like it might give way during ordinary activity. Ligaments heal more slowly than other tissues, which makes recovery take longer.
4. Nerve Damage
The violent jolt of a crash can stretch, compress, or tear the nerves that run through the arm. These injuries often cause burning sensations, tingling, or numbness that spreads into the hand and fingers. Weakness or loss of coordination can follow, making movement difficult. Nerve damage can be unpredictable, sometimes improving over time but also leaving permanent changes in strength or sensation.
5. Soft Tissue Injuries
Muscles, tendons, and connective tissue in the arm can be stretched or torn in a crash. Swelling and stiffness often develop quickly, and pain can increase when lifting, gripping, or reaching overhead. Many people also notice elbow pain after a car accident, which may signal a sprain, strain, or deeper soft tissue injury.
Strains and sprains may sound minor compared to fractures, but they can take weeks to heal and often leave the arm weaker than before. Scar tissue sometimes builds up during recovery, limiting flexibility even after the soreness fades.
Protecting Your Health and Your Rights in Ohio After a Car Crash
After a crash, arm injuries are not always evident in the first few hours. Stiffness, swelling, or numbness can develop over time, which is why early medical attention matters. Getting evaluated creates a clear record that links your condition to the accident and helps prevent insurance companies from questioning whether the crash caused your injuries.
Ohio law gives you two years to file a personal injury claim from the accident date. Missing that deadline cuts off your chance to recover compensation. Under Ohio’s comparative negligence system, you can recover damages if you are less than 51% responsible for the crash, but your share of fault reduces the amount you receive.
Compensation in Ohio car accident cases often includes:
- Current and future medical bills—including hospital stays, surgeries, and follow-up treatment;
- Lost wages and loss of earning ability—when injuries keep you from working;
- Pain and suffering—from the physical and psychological pain of injuries;
- Rehabilitation costs—such as physical therapy or occupational therapy; and
- Long-term care or support services—if the injury leads to permanent limitations.
Insurance companies frequently try to downplay arm injuries from car accidents, treating them as temporary soreness instead of serious harm. Knowing how Ohio law applies to your situation can help you protect your recovery.
Get Help from Bensinger Legal Services
Attorney Aaron Bensinger has spent years representing injured people across Ohio. He understands how fractures, dislocations, ligament tears, nerve injuries, and soft tissue damage affect work, family life, and independence. His approach is hands-on: building strong cases, pushing back against insurance companies, and pursuing full compensation for his clients.
If you are dealing with arm pain after a car accident, you do not have to manage the medical bills, lost income, and stress on your own. Call (419) 455-1410 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.
Aaron L. Bensinger is an Ohio attorney serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service is his primary focus. As a partner at Balyeat, Leahy, Daley, Miller & Bensinger, LLC, Aaron happily works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
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