Unfortunately, when you’ve been in a car accident, it is possible to get injured even if you were wearing a seat belt or the airbags properly deployed. Injuries to the neck and spine, as well as broken bones, are common car accident injuries, and you want to get treated by the best.
When looking for help, you might find yourself searching for a “car accident doctor near me” online. This type of search will turn up a variety of doctors who may specialize in treating car accident injuries. It is important that you get the comprehensive care you need for a car accident injury, even if it’s a broken bone.
Fracture vs. Broken Bone
If you went to the emergency room or urgent care after the car accident, then you may have found out you have a fracture. The term fracture is used to describe what is more commonly referred to as a broken bone.
Fractures can happen to any bone in the body, and since there are over 200 of those, it is important to get treatment from a doctor who understands the specific circumstances that led to your broken bone.
Many people think of a broken bone as something that happens to kids and requires a colorful cast. However, there are also fractures that can occur to bones that can’t be put into a cast or that may seem so small but cause a serious amount of pain.
Types of Fractures in Car Accidents
When a doctor says you have a “fracture,” that word can describe a wide range of injuries. Some fractures are simple and heal with time and rest, while others require surgery and months of rehabilitation. Car accidents can cause several types of fractures, depending on the way the bone was struck. A complete fracture means the bone has broken into two or more pieces, while a partial fracture means it has only cracked without fully breaking.
Displaced fractures are when the pieces of bone no longer line up correctly, which usually requires surgery to reset them. Non-displaced fractures mean the bone cracked but remains in its proper position.
Car accidents may also cause compound fractures, where the bone pierces the skin. These injuries are dangerous because they can lead to infection, blood loss, and nerve damage.
Stress fractures, though smaller, can still be painful and slow to heal. Each type of fracture has its own treatment path, so identifying exactly what kind you have is essential for recovery. The severity often depends on how the accident occurred and how much force your body absorbed.
Car Accidents and Broken Bones
Whether you were rear-ended or involved in a multiple-car wreck, the force of impact when your car was hit by another can cause your body to get shaken up and jostled around. While the seat belt is there to prevent you from being ejected from the vehicle, it can’t keep your whole body safe. The airbag is designed to help soften the blow of a serious accident, but it can also cause unintended damage in certain circumstances. Broken bones can occur for so many reasons in the event of a car accident.
Why Car Accidents Cause So Many Broken Bones
The high number of fractures linked to car accidents is not surprising when you think about the forces involved. A collision combines speed, weight, and direction of impact, all of which affect how your body is thrown forward, sideways, or even twisted.
In a rear-end accident, for example, your upper body snaps forward against the seat belt, putting pressure on the chest, shoulders, and collarbones. In a side-impact crash, your arms, ribs, or hips may absorb the brunt of the blow from the door. Rollovers can cause crushing injuries as the car flips and shifts weight onto different body parts.
While safety devices like seat belts and airbags save countless lives, they cannot prevent every injury. They work by spreading force across stronger parts of your body, which sometimes means smaller or more fragile bones absorb excess stress.
That is why areas like the clavicle, sternum, and ribs are so often injured in accidents. In other cases, limbs are thrown against hard surfaces like the dashboard or steering wheel. The variety of ways the body can move in an accident explains why fractures are among the most common injuries.
Here are the 7 most commonly broken bones in car accidents:
1. Facial Bones
The sudden impact of an accident can cause your head and neck to fling forward, and you may even hit your head on the steering wheel, window, or dashboard. Facial bones are more delicate than other bones in your body, and a hard hit to the nose or cheekbone against one of the hard surfaces in your car can actually lead to a break.
2. Sternum
The sternum is more commonly known as the breastbone, which is where the ribcage joins together in the center of your chest. Your seatbelt typically goes across your chest from shoulder to hip, and if the force of the accident is strong enough, it can cause you to strain against the seatbelt. Too much pressure on the sternum can actually lead to a fracture.
3. Clavicle
The clavicle is more commonly known as the collarbone, which is the bone that runs from your shoulder and across your chest. The clavicle bone is more delicate than some other bones in your body and is also susceptible to damage, especially if the seatbelt is worn improperly or pulls too tightly against this area of your neck and chest.
4. Arm Bones
It is a natural instinct to put your hands and arms out to brace yourself for an impact you see coming. When it comes to an auto collision, though, bracing your hands against the dashboard or steering wheel can actually lead to broken bones. Wrist fractures and upper or lower arm bone fractures typically heal well in a cast.
5. Leg Bones
Your legs are more susceptible to injury or fracture in a car accident if they become trapped between the dashboard and the floor. This type of fracture to such a large bone in your body that helps you walk and move around can end up requiring surgery or physical therapy.
6. Spinal Vertebrae
Back and neck injuries are common car accident injuries, and any type of spinal injury should be taken very seriously. Misalignments or herniated discs are more common in car accidents, but it is possible for the vertebrae in your spine to become fractured as well.
7. Cranium
The most common car accident injury for people not wearing a seat belt is a head injury. The seat belt prevents you from getting jostled around too much or even thrown from the vehicle. If you weren’t wearing a seat belt and hit your head against the windshield or dashboard, it can cause a skull fracture.
Hidden Complications of Broken Bones
A broken bone is rarely just about the bone itself. Many accident victims face hidden complications that can make recovery longer or more difficult. One common risk is infection, particularly with compound fractures where the bone punctures the skin.
Open wounds create a pathway for bacteria to enter the body, and treatment often includes antibiotics and careful monitoring. Another potential complication is blood clots. When the body is immobilized during recovery, circulation can slow, and clots may form in the legs, which is dangerous if they travel to the lungs.
Nerve damage is another concern. If a fracture occurs near a major nerve, the bone fragments or swelling can press against it, leading to numbness, weakness, or even long-term loss of function. Poorly healed fractures may also result in a limited range of motion, uneven limb length, or chronic pain.
These complications show why follow-up care and rehabilitation are so important after a fracture. Treating the bone itself is only part of the process; doctors must also keep an eye on the broader health of the patient.
How Doctors Diagnose Fractures After a Car Accident
Accurate diagnosis is the first step toward recovery. After an accident, doctors rely on a combination of physical exams and imaging tools to identify fractures. X-rays are the most common diagnostic tool because they clearly show breaks, cracks, and misalignments in bones.
However, not all fractures are visible on standard X-rays. In those cases, doctors may order a CT scan, which provides a more detailed, cross-sectional view of the bone and surrounding tissues. MRIs are often used when doctors suspect soft tissue injuries along with a fracture, since they give a better look at ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
Doctors also consider how the injury occurred. A high-impact crash might prompt them to look for multiple fractures or hidden injuries that could be masked by adrenaline. In some cases, bone scans are used to detect stress fractures or very small breaks.
These tests help doctors plan the right treatment strategy, ensuring no fracture goes unnoticed. Early and accurate diagnosis can make a huge difference in how well a patient recovers.
Treatment Options for Car Accident Fractures
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the fracture, as well as the patient’s overall health. Simple, non-displaced fractures often heal well with immobilization in a cast or splint. This keeps the bone stable while it fuses back together. Displaced fractures, however, may require reduction, which means the doctor manipulates the bone back into place before casting.
More severe breaks, especially compound or multiple fractures, frequently need surgical intervention. Surgeons may use metal plates, screws, or rods to hold the bone in place.
In addition to stabilization, pain management is a major part of treatment. Over-the-counter medications may be enough for minor fractures, while more serious injuries may call for stronger prescriptions. Doctors also stress the importance of avoiding weight-bearing on injured limbs until cleared, since rushing the process can cause re-injury.
Physical therapy often begins while the bone is still healing, focusing on maintaining strength and flexibility in nearby muscles. This prevents long-term stiffness and helps patients transition back into normal activities.
For particularly severe or complex fractures, treatment may extend well beyond the bone. Patients sometimes need additional surgeries, infection control, or even reconstructive procedures. Each plan is unique, but the goal is always the same: restore mobility, reduce pain, and get patients back to their daily lives as safely and quickly as possible.
It’s important to know how to find a doctor after an auto accident. Our team of orthopedic doctors and car accident specialists at AICA Orthopedics in College Park can help treat any kind of broken bone. Visit us online or at one of our convenient locations to be assessed by a car accident doctor near you to learn more about our comprehensive treatment options.
Rehabilitation and Recovery
Healing does not end when the cast comes off. Rehabilitation is critical to regaining full function. Physical therapy teaches patients how to rebuild strength, restore range of motion, and prevent future injury. Therapists may use exercises, resistance bands, and manual techniques to target muscles that weakened during immobilization. Occupational therapy can also play a role, especially when fractures affect daily tasks like driving, typing, or lifting.
Recovery timelines vary depending on the bone and the type of fracture. A simple arm fracture may heal in six to eight weeks, while a complex pelvic or spinal fracture could take months or longer. Nutrition also influences healing, with calcium and vitamin D playing vital roles in bone repair. Patients are encouraged to follow up regularly with their doctors to monitor progress and catch any complications early.
Many people underestimate how much emotional recovery is involved. Car accidents are traumatic, and adjusting to life with limited mobility can be frustrating. Support from medical professionals, family, and even mental health counselors can help patients stay motivated. At a comprehensive clinic, all of these resources come together under one roof, creating a smoother path toward recovery.
Get the Care You Need After a Car Accident
Broken bones from a car accident can change your life in an instant, but getting the right treatment makes all the difference in your recovery. At AICA Orthopedics in College Park, you’ll find a team of doctors who specialize in treating car accident injuries — from fractures to spinal issues and everything in between.
Our multidisciplinary approach brings orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, chiropractors, and pain management specialists together under one roof so you don’t have to juggle multiple appointments at different offices.
We know that every fracture and every accident is unique. That’s why we create individualized treatment plans designed to help you heal fully and get back to your normal routine. Whether you need imaging to confirm a diagnosis, surgical intervention, or ongoing rehabilitation, our team has the tools and expertise to guide you through every step.
Don’t wait to get evaluated after a crash — even small fractures can lead to long-term problems if ignored. Call AICA Orthopedics in College Park today or schedule an appointment online to meet with a car accident doctor near you. We’ll help you take the first step toward recovery and peace of mind.