A broken arm after a car crash can derail work, family life, and your sense of normal. Medical bills stack up fast, and insurance adjusters may push for a quick payout. If you’re wondering what the average settlement for a broken arm in a car accident looks like, the real answer depends on the facts of your case including diagnosis, treatment, recovery time, and how the injury impacts your daily life. This page explains the key factors that influence a broken arm car accident settlement in California and how to position your claim for full value.
Find out what shapes the value of a broken arm settlement and how to tell whether the amount reflects what the injury has cost you.
Key Points
- There’s no one-size “average”—value depends on case facts. Fracture type, need for surgery/hardware, rehab length, and functional limits drive damages.
- Economic + non-economic losses both matter. Medical bills, future care, and lost income combine with pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment to shape settlement value.
- Documentation is your leverage. Orthopedic records, imaging, work restrictions, and a consistent treatment timeline strengthen negotiation power.
- Liability and insurance limits cap the outcome. Clear fault, adequate policy limits, and UIM/UM coverage often determine how much can actually be collected.
What Affects the Value of a Broken Arm Settlement After a Car Accident?
Broken arms can vary widely in treatment and recovery time. Whether you’re dealing with a fractured elbow, wrist, or upper arm, the average settlement for a broken arm in a car accident depends on what it took to treat the injury and how it changed your ability to live and work.
Most claims take into account:
- Medical costs, such as surgery, imaging, or rehabilitation;
- Past and future lost income, if your ability to work has changed; and
- Pain and emotional suffering, especially when the injury limits mobility or independence.
The type of fracture also influences the potential value of a claim. A broken wrist that heals with a cast differs from a humerus fracture that needs surgery and hardware in the length of recovery, how long someone stays out of work, and whether full movement returns. The more involved the treatment, the more a claim may need to cover.
Additionally, the person who caused the crash and their insurance can affect compensation. Some claims involve drivers with only basic coverage, while others involve company vehicles or drivers with larger policies. In many cases, the insurance policy limits how much the insurer will pay, regardless of the injury’s severity.
Wrist, Elbow, and Upper Arm Injuries Can Lead to Different Settlement Amounts
Insurance companies don’t treat all broken arm claims the same way. A hairline fracture in the wrist may heal with rest and a cast, while a broken humerus can require plates, screws, and months of rehab. The type and location of the break often influence how much compensation for a broken arm is available.
Wrist Injuries
Wrist fractures are common in car crashes, especially when someone braces during impact. Many ask, “How much will I get for a broken wrist settlement?” The answer depends on treatment, recovery time, and how the injury limits work or mobility. Wrist injury settlement amounts in California vary, but claims may be lower when the fracture heals without surgery or lasting complications.
Elbow Injuries
The average settlement for elbow injury cases tends to reflect a more complex recovery. Dislocations, fractures, or damage to nearby nerves can interfere with lifting, driving, or returning to certain types of work. These claims may involve a more extended healing period, especially if surgery or physical therapy is required.
Upper Arm (Humerus) Injuries
A broken humerus often causes more disruption than a wrist or elbow fracture. Surgery is more common, and some injuries may permanently affect shoulder or arm movement. When people ask how much compensation for a broken humerus is typical, the answer often comes down to how long the injury interferes with independence and earning capacity.
How Does California Law Affect a Broken Arm Settlement After a Car Accident?
In California, you have the right to seek compensation when someone else caused the crash that led to your broken arm. What you can recover may also be affected by two state laws:
- Shared Fault. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. If both drivers contributed to the crash, the insurer may reduce your compensation according to your share of fault.
- Statute of Limitations. Most car accident claims in California must be filed within two years of the crash. If you miss that deadline, the court can bar your claim entirely—even for a broken arm that requires surgery or long-term care.
Insurance companies often rely on these laws to limit their payouts. If they can shift blame or argue that too much time has passed, they may try to reduce or deny the claim.
At The Beliz Law Firm, we know how these laws apply to broken bone cases. We review the facts, challenge liability arguments, and work to recover compensation that matches the injury’s effect on your income, mobility, and day-to-day life.
How Long Does a Broken Arm Settlement Take?
Settling a broken arm claim after a car accident takes time. While some cases move quickly, others can take months or longer. The timeline depends on how the insurance company responds and whether it disputes liability.
Most fall into the following ranges:
- A few months. This timeframe usually applies when fault is clear, treatment is complete, and the insurer agrees to settle without delays.
- Six months to a year. These cases involve slower negotiations or questions about the value of the claim.
- Over a year. Cases that involve disputed liability, long-term medical care, or the possibility of trial may take longer to resolve.
Insurance companies don’t always make fair offers right away. They may wait to see if you’ll settle for less. While accepting a quick offer is tempting, waiting for a fair settlement is often the only way to recover the full amount your claim may be worth.
Looking into Compensation for a Broken Arm After a Crash?
Attorney Michael Beliz has spent over 15 years helping injured Californians recover compensation after serious crashes. That includes fractures requiring surgery, physical therapy, and time away from work.
If you’re researching “what is the average settlement for a broken arm in a car accident,” you deserve more than a rough estimate. We’ll walk you through how California law applies, what insurance may cover, and what your case could actually demand based on the facts.
Call or fill out our online form to speak directly with a car accident attorney today.
FAQs
What is the “average” settlement for a broken arm in a car accident?
There isn’t a reliable statewide “average.” Settlements vary widely based on fracture severity, treatment (e.g., casting vs. ORIF surgery), recovery duration, and how the injury affects work and daily activities.
Do surgeries (plates/screws) increase a broken arm settlement?
Generally yes. Surgery, hardware implantation, or complications (e.g., nonunion, nerve issues) can raise medical costs and long-term impact, which tends to increase settlement value.
How are pain and suffering calculated for a broken arm?
Insurers consider the nature of the fracture, length and difficulty of recovery, scarring, loss of function/strength, and how the injury limits your hobbies and work—not just your medical bills.
How do insurance limits affect my payout?
You can’t collect more than available insurance (unless you pursue the at-fault driver personally). Your UM/UIM coverage may supplement low liability limits.
Will being partly at fault reduce my settlement?
Yes. California’s comparative negligence reduces recovery by your percentage of fault (e.g., 20% fault = 20% reduction).
How long will my broken arm claim take?
Most cases resolve after you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). Claims involving surgery or long rehab usually take longer to fully evaluate.
What evidence best supports a broken arm settlement?
ER/orthopedic notes, X-rays/MRIs, operative reports, PT records, work notes, out-of-pocket receipts, and a journal describing pain and functional limits.
Can I recover future damages?
Yes—future care, hardware removal, residual weakness, diminished grip/ROM, or occupational limits can support future economic and non-economic damages.
Michael A. Beliz, Esq., established The Beliz Law Firm in the spring of 2011. Michael has been a practicing attorney since 2006 and worked for two of the most prominent plaintiff’s personal injury law firms in Southern California. He has worked on and handled hundreds of cases as an attorney in all types of personal injury cases, including vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents and dog bites, and successfully recovered millions of dollars for his clients.
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