Broken collarbones are some of the most common types of injuries that pop up in Florida car accidents. When it comes to broken bones, wrist injuries, broken legs, and broken collarbones are among some of the most severe and common. Any type of fracture can be quite serious and have a huge impact on a victim’s life.

A victim who sustains a broken collarbone (or clavicle) injury could expect complex results. These accidents could lead to time off of work, operations, rehabilitation periods, and even physiotherapy. As you can see, this can impact many aspects of your life physically, emotionally, and financially. By understanding the severity of your injury and your treatment options, you can get started on the path to recovery for a broken collarbone.

How You Know You Have a Broken Collarbone

Some symptoms are more common with broken collarbones than with other injuries. Of course, you should always take the steps to see a professional medical expert after an accident that is not your fault so that you can receive the best care you deserve. When it comes to a broken collarbone, one of the first symptoms that a person will notice is shoulder pain and difficulty moving their arm in different directions. Some of the other common symptoms include:

• Pain over collarbone
• Deformity of collarbone
• Bruising and swelling in the area that goes down to both the chest and armpit depending on the severity
• Difficulty in being able to raise an arm from side to side
• Numbness and tingling in the arm

If you believe that you are experiencing symptoms of a broken collarbone after a car accident, you should always seek the help of a medical professional. In the emergency room, doctors will obtain an x-ray and look for the fracture. They will examine the clavicle to ensure that the nerves and blood vessels are working as they are supposed to.

Different Types of Treatment for a Broken Collarbone 

One of the biggest means of treatment for a broken collarbone is immobilization. Depending on the severity of the injury, you might have to wear your arm in a sling for several weeks or months. There are some other types of treatment that you can expect as well:

Medication: Your doctor might prescribe certain medications for pain if you are having inflammation due to the injury.

Therapy: Therapy usually begins soon after your accident as well. Your shoulder might be stiff while you wear a sling, which is why you might need certain means of rehabilitation so that you can improve muscle strength due to the injury. 

Surgery: Surgery could be required in some cases if the fractured collarbone was especially serious and broke through the skin.

How an Attorney Can Help After an Accident

After a car accident in Florida, you might be concerned about how you will get back on your feet. This is especially true if your broken collarbone injury caused you to miss time at work or caused you to sustain medical bills you cannot afford. Our attorneys at Sheftall & Associates are dedicated to helping you obtain the best results in your case after an accident that is not your fault. Please contact our skilled accident attorneys at 904-647-2296 to find out what options are available for you.