A fractured clavicle caused by a car accident can really disrupt your life. You may face medical bills, time away from work, and uncertainty about your recovery. Many injured people come to us asking about the average settlement for broken clavicle cases in California. While no two cases are identical, we can explain the factors that drive settlement value and what you should consider when evaluating your claim.
Understanding the Injury
A fractured clavicle, also called a broken collarbone, is a common occurrence in car accidents. The force of a seatbelt, the impact of a steering wheel, or a side collision can snap the bone that connects your shoulder to your chest. The seriousness of the break influences every part of your recovery and, therefore, the potential settlement.
Clavicle fractures fall into several categories:
- Simple fracture—may involve a clean break that heals with a sling and physical therapy;
- Displaced fracture—involves bone ends that no longer line up and often requires surgery with plates and screws;
- Comminuted fracture—where the bone shatters into several pieces, can demand multiple procedures and carries a higher risk of complications.
The more complex the fracture, the more medical costs, pain, and long-term impact you face.
Key Factors Influencing Broken Clavicle Settlement Value
Several considerations guide the calculation of a broken clavicle settlement, including the:
- Type and severity of the fracture—including whether surgery is required;
- Total medical costs—including hospital stays, imaging, surgery, medication, and therapy;
- Lost wages—if the injury keeps you away from work or reduces your ability to perform your job;
- Level of pain and suffering—along with interference with your daily life;
- Length of your recovery—including the possibility of permanent limitations or deformities;
- Clarity of liability—strength of evidence showing the other driver’s fault; and
- Amount of insurance coverage available—both from the at-fault driver and your own policy.
Each factor carries weight in negotiations with the insurance company. As your attorney, we make sure every aspect of your injury is documented and presented in a way that reflects the true cost to your life.
Average Settlement for Broken Clavicle
People often want a specific number when asking about the average settlement for broken clavicle injuries. The reality is that settlements vary widely, ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to well over six figures, depending on the details listed above. A fracture that heals cleanly in a few months without surgery will fall on the lower end. A displaced fracture requiring surgery, extended therapy, and months of lost wages will push the value higher.
In California, settlements for serious clavicle fractures requiring surgery often exceed $100,000, particularly when the victim experiences long-term restrictions. Less severe fractures may resolve for $15,000 to $50,000. When you consult with us, we will analyze your medical records, employment history, and insurance details to give you a personalized estimate of what your claim may be worth.
Broken Clavicle Insurance Settlement Challenges
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by claiming your injury was less severe than it was or arguing that your pain should not last as long as you describe. In a broken clavicle insurance settlement negotiation, adjusters may downplay the need for surgery or attempt to use low settlement formulas. Our job is to counter these tactics with medical records, expert opinions, and testimony from those who see how your injury affects your daily life.
A clavicle fracture car accident settlement in California must also take into account state rules on negligence. If the other driver tries to argue that you were partially at fault, your settlement could be reduced. We work to build a strong liability case with police reports, witness statements, and accident reconstruction when necessary. California law allows you to recover damages even if you share some responsibility, but reducing or eliminating that claim of fault can significantly raise your final settlement.
Length of Recovery and Its Impact
Healing from a broken clavicle can take weeks to months. If surgery is required, recovery time often stretches much longer. You may be unable to drive, lift, or perform work duties during this period. Some victims report long-term stiffness or reduced range of motion in the shoulder. Every additional month of limitation increases the value of your broken clavicle settlement because it extends your suffering, your medical care, and your lost wages.
Role of Medical Evidence
Strong medical evidence anchors the value of your claim. Medical evidence usually includes:
- Imaging such as x-rays and CT scans—to show the nature of the break;
- Surgical reports and physical therapy notes—to demonstrate the steps required to heal; and
- Expert medical opinions about future care needs—to establish the possibility of ongoing expenses.
We gather this information and present it in a way that leaves little doubt about the seriousness of your injury. If you are having trouble accessing medical care, we can help connect you with healthcare providers in your area.
Take the Next Step
At the Beliz Law Firm, we offer personal attention and direct communication with attorneys, not layers of staff who may not understand your case. We focus exclusively on personal injury law, and since 2006, we have built a track record of achieving meaningful results for clients across California. Since opening our firm in 2011, we have remained committed to giving each client the one-on-one attention that makes a difference in outcomes.
We know that your case is not only about numbers but about your ability to return to life with confidence and security. We use our experience to push back against insurance companies and secure settlements that reflect the full impact of your injury on your life.
If you or a loved one has suffered a fractured clavicle in a California car accident, you do not have to face the claims process alone. Contact the Beliz Law Firm for a free case review. We will review your case, answer your questions, explain the factors that may shape your settlement, and fight for the compensation you need to get back on your feet.
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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