Why are fingers prone to injury in car accidents?

Because fingers are delicate structures made of small bones, tendons, and ligaments, even a minor crash can lead to significant injury. These injuries can include fractures, tendon ruptures, nerve damage, or even traumatic amputation.

Additionally, fingers are among the most frequently injured body parts due to the body's natural reflexes during sudden impact or imminent danger. In the split seconds before a collision, the body triggers an automatic "protective reflex." This causes drivers and passengers to tense up, reach forward, cover their faces or heads, or grip onto something for stability. Fingers often end up injured while:

• Bracing against the dashboard: When people push their hands forward to steady themselves, their fingers can become pinned between hard surfaces that deform or collapse during a collision.
• Absorbing crash energy: Drivers who grip the wheel tightly can suffer serious and permanent injuries such as fractures, dislocations, and ligament tears.
• Airbag deployment: When airbags inflate at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour (mph), they can severely injure hands, especially those positioned too high or too close.
• Shielding the face: This bracing motion places fingers directly in harm's way, making them extremely vulnerable to impact, entrapment, or twisting injuries.

Legal help from attorney Sean M. Cleary after a severe finger injury in a car accident

If you've suffered severe finger injuries in a car crash caused by someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation not only for medical expenses, but also to recover damages for disability, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

If you want to have your case evaluated, the team at The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary can help you. With over 20 years of experience, we have supported dozens of individuals who suffered life-altering finger injuries in car accidents.