If you’ve been in a car accident in Texas and are experiencing wrist pain, you’re not alone. What might seem like a minor discomfort could actually be a sign of a more serious wrist injury that requires proper medical attention and possibly legal assistance to ensure you receive fair compensation for your car crash injuries.
At Keith & Lorfing, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that hand and wrist injuries from a vehicle accident can take. Our West Texas team is dedicated to helping accident victims manage both recovery and the complex legal process that follows.

Our experienced Abilene personal injury lawyer is standing by to evaluate your case and help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Is Wrist Pain After a Car Accident Serious?
While some might dismiss hand and wrist pain as minor compared to other injuries after a car accident, it should never be ignored. What appears to be simple soreness can actually be a bone fracture, ligament tear, or nerve damage that—if left untreated—could lead to:
- Chronic pain that interferes with daily activities
- Permanent loss of range of motion in your wrist
- Development of arthritis in the wrist or hand
- Inability to work or perform basic tasks
- Need for more invasive treatments or surgeries down the road
According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation, there were over 205,000 reported injuries from motor vehicle accidents in Texas in recent years, with hand or wrist injury among the most common but frequently overlooked injuries¹.
Common Causes of Hand and Wrist Injuries in Car Accidents
Getting to know the common cause of wrist pain can help both in prevention and in establishing liability for your personal injury claim. The most frequent causes in an auto accident include:
Gripping the Steering Wheel During Impact
When a collision is imminent, a driver’s natural instinct is to grip the steering wheel tightly and brace for impact. While this reaction is understandable, it can actually increase the risk of injury. The force of the crash is often transferred directly through the steering wheel, placing immense stress on the wrists, hands, and forearms.
This can lead to a range of injuries, including sprains, fractures, ligament damage, or nerve compression—especially in high-impact collisions. In some cases, the airbag deploying simultaneously can compound these injuries by jolting the hands and arms backward with great force.
Blunt Force Trauma Against Interior Surfaces
During a car accident, your hand or wrist may strike hard surfaces inside the vehicle, such as:
- Dashboard
- Steering wheel
- Door panels
- Window frames
- Center console
Twisting or Hyperextension During Collision
The violent motion of a vehicle accident can force your wrist beyond its normal range of motion, causing a wrist sprain, tears, or fracture. This is particularly common in:
- T-bone collisions where the side impact twists the steering wheel
- Rollover accidents where hands and wrists are violently moved in multiple directions
- Rear-end collisions where the sudden forward movement hyperextends the wrist or hand
Following Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore
Recognizing the warning signs of a serious wrist injury after a car accident can make the difference between a full recovery and long-term complications. Pay attention to these symptoms of wrist pain after a car accident:
Symptom | Possible Indication | Urgency Level |
---|---|---|
Swelling and bruising | Fracture or soft tissue injuries | Moderate to High |
Severe pain when moving | Possible wrist fracture or tear | High |
Tingling or numbness | Nerve compression or damage | High |
Inability to grip objects | Functional impairment | High |
Visible deformity | Broken wrist or dislocation | Emergency |
Delayed pain (24-72 hours) | Internal soft tissue injury | Moderate |
Delayed pain after a car accident is especially common and concerning. Many Texans don’t feel the full extent of their injuries after a car accident until days after the auto accident due to adrenaline and the delayed inflammatory response of the body.
If you experience worsening hand and wrist pain or your symptoms don’t improve within a few days, it’s essential to revisit your doctor. Untreated wrist injuries after a car accident can lead to complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a chronic condition that’s notoriously difficult to treat.

Most Common Hand and Wrist Injuries from Car Accidents
Knowing the anatomy of the hand and different types of hand and wrist injuries is important for proper treatment:
Bone Injuries
Scaphoid Fracture
The scaphoid is a small boat-shaped bone in your wrist that commonly breaks during accidents. This type of wrist fracture is particularly troublesome because the bone has a poor blood supply, making healing difficult and sometimes requiring surgery with pins or screws².
Distal Radius Fracture
This broken bone occurs at the end of the radius (one of the two arm bones) where it connects to the wrist. It’s one of the most common fractures in adults, particularly in high-impact car accidents. The Texas Medical Board reports that distal radius fractures often require a brace or surgical intervention depending on severity³.
Avulsion Fracture
This occurs when a small piece of bone attached to a tendon or ligament gets pulled away from the main bone during the sudden forces of a car crash.
Broken Phalanx
The small bones in your fingers (phalanges) can break when they impact hard surfaces during a car accident. These may require splinting or even surgical repair.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Wrist Sprain (Grades 1-3)
A sprain may vary in severity:
- Grade 1: Mild stretching of ligaments with minimal pain
- Grade 2: Partial tearing with moderate pain and some instability
- Grade 3: Complete tear with severe pain and significant instability
When a car accident causes your wrist to bend unnaturally, a sprain may result and require anything from rest to surgical intervention.
Ligament Tears
Tears in the ligaments that connect the bones in your wrist can lead to instability and, if not properly treated, may contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome or other chronic conditions requiring physical therapy.
Tendonitis
Inflammation of the tendons from acute trauma in a car accident can cause pain with movement and may require physical therapy for proper healing.
Surface Injuries
Bruises, cuts, and puncture wounds to the wrist or hand may seem minor but can lead to infection or nerve damage if not properly cleaned and treated.
Dislocations
Joint misalignment injuries occur when the bones that form a joint are forced out of position during a car accident. These cause severe pain and require immediate medical attention to prevent long-term damage to the joint and surrounding structures.
Our car accident lawyers have helped numerous West Texans receive fair compensation for wrist injuries. Contact our Abilene personal injury lawyer team today to discuss your case.
How Doctors Diagnose and Treat Wrist Injuries
When you seek medical attention for wrist pain after a car accident, healthcare providers typically use a combination of:
- Physical examination: Assessing range of motion, tenderness, and stability
- X-rays: Identifying fractures and dislocations
- MRI scans: Revealing soft tissue injuries like ligament tears
- CT scans: Providing detailed images of complex fractures
- Nerve conduction studies: Evaluating nerve damage
According to specialists at the University Medical Center in Lubbock, early and accurate diagnosis significantly improves outcomes for wrist injuries after a car accident⁴.
Treatment Options
Treatment for hand and wrist injuries varies based on the specific injury but may include:
Conservative treatments:
- Rest and activity modification
- Immobilization with a brace or cast
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy to restore strength and mobility
Surgical interventions:
- Internal fixation with pins, plates, or screws for a broken bone
- Ligament or tendon repair
- Joint reconstruction for severe damage
Recovery Timeline
Injury Type | Initial Recovery Phase | Full Recovery Estimate | Potential Long-Term Impacts |
---|---|---|---|
Mild Sprain (Grade 1) | 1-2 weeks with rest and ice | 2-4 weeks | Generally minimal if properly treated |
Moderate Sprain (Grade 2) | 3-6 weeks with immobilization | 6-8 weeks with therapy | Possible mild stiffness or weakness |
Severe Sprain (Grade 3) | 6-8 weeks with immobilization | 3-6 months with therapy | Potential long-term instability or weakness |
Distal Radius Fracture (Non-surgical) | 6-8 weeks in cast | 3-6 months for full function | Possible arthritis in later years |
Distal Radius Fracture (Surgical) | 2 weeks immobilized, then therapy | 6-12 months for full function | Potential stiffness, hardware issues |
Scaphoid Fracture | 8-12 weeks immobilized | 6-12 months | High risk of avascular necrosis if untreated |
TFCC Tear | 6-8 weeks immobilized | 3-6 months with therapy | Wrist instability, chronic pain |
Legal Insight: While most resources simply state that recovery varies, our team has worked with orthopedic specialists to create the comprehensive timeline above based on actual Texas car accident cases we’ve handled. This can help you better understand what to expect and plan accordingly for your wrist injury.

Why Prompt Medical Care Protects Your Health and Your Rights
Protecting Your Health
The most obvious reason to seek immediate care for wrist pain after a car accident is to prevent complications. Research from the Texas Orthopedic Association shows that patients who receive treatment within 72 hours of injury have significantly better outcomes than those who delay care⁵.
Untreated wrist injuries may:
- Result in malunion (bones healing in the wrong position)
- Lead to chronic instability
- Cause persistent chronic pain
- Develop into early-onset arthritis
- Decrease grip strength
- Limit range of motion in the wrist
Protecting Your Legal Rights
From a legal perspective, prompt medical attention creates a link between the accident and your injury claim, which is vital for your case. Insurance companies look for any reason to deny or minimize claims, and gaps in medical documentation are their favorite targets.
Medical records serve as powerful evidence that:
- Establishes the cause of wrist pain
- Documents the severity and progression of your injury
- Shows your commitment to recovery
- Helps quantify your medical bills and other damages
Our skilled attorneys are ready to fight for the full compensation you deserve for your wrist pain after a car accident. Contact our Car Accident Lawyer Abilene team today for a free consultation.
How Our Texas Car Accident Lawyer Can Help with a Wrist Injury Claim
At Keith & Lorfing, we take a comprehensive approach to helping car accident victims with wrist injuries. Our team brings over 500 trial experiences to the table, with deep roots in West Texas communities including Abilene, Lubbock, Midland, and San Angelo.
Investigating the Car Accident
Our team will:
- Collect and preserve evidence from the accident scene
- Obtain police reports and witness statements
- Analyze traffic camera footage when available
- Work with accident reconstruction experts when necessary
- Identify all potentially liable parties in your motor vehicle accident
We understand the complex nature of hand and wrist injuries after a car accident and will:
- Consult with medical experts to understand the full extent of your wrist injury
- Compile comprehensive medical documentation
- Assess both current and future medical needs
- Calculate long-term impacts on your ability to work and enjoy life
Negotiating Fair Settlements
Insurance companies often undervalue wrist injuries after a car accident, dismissing them as minor. Our personal injury attorney team:
- Knows the true value of these claims based on extensive experience
- Stands firm against lowball offers
- Presents compelling evidence to maximize your compensation
- Handles all communications with adjusters so you can focus on healing
Filing a Lawsuit if Needed
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we’re prepared to:
- File a lawsuit within Texas’s two-year statute of limitations
- Build a compelling case for trial
- Leverage our extensive courtroom experience
- Fight for your rights before a judge and jury
HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO: Consider a situation where a carpenter from Abilene suffers a severe wrist fracture in a car accident caused by a distracted driver. The insurance company offers $10,000, claiming the injury isn’t severe. With proper legal representation, the injured person could potentially recover:
- $25,000 for medical bills
- $40,000 for lost wages while unable to work
- $15,000 for future medical treatment
- $70,000 for diminished earning capacity
- $50,000 for pain and suffering
That’s a potential difference of $190,000 versus the initial $10,000 offer—highlighting why having experienced injury lawyer representation is essential when dealing with wrist injuries after a car accident.
Take Action Now to Protect Your Rights - Contact Our Texas Car Accident Lawyers
If you’re experiencing wrist pain after a car accident in Texas, taking prompt action is critical both for your health and your legal rights:
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if you think the injury is minor
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan exactly, including any prescribed physical therapy
- Document everything related to your injury and recovery
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies
- Consult with our experienced car accident personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement
At Keith & Lorfing, we understand that West Texans value independence and may be reluctant to seek help. But remember—handling a serious injury claim on your own while trying to recover physically can compromise both your health and your financial future.
Our team of dedicated attorneys brings the perfect combination of big-city expertise with deep West Texas roots. We know the local courts, the insurance companies’ tactics, and how to maximize compensation for hand and wrist injuries after a car accident.
Contact us online or Call us today at 325-241-9286 for a free, no-obligation consultation about your wrist injury claim. We’re here to level the playing field and make sure you get the compensation you deserve as a car accident victim.
¹ Texas Department of Transportation, Annual Crash Statistics Report ² Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, “Scaphoid Fractures: Diagnosis and Management” ³ Texas Medical Board, “Treatment Guidelines for Upper Extremity Injuries” ⁴ University Medical Center Lubbock, “Early Intervention in Traumatic Wrist Injuries” ⁵ Texas Orthopedic Association, “Timing of Care and Outcomes in Traumatic Injuries”