Average Settlement for a Broken Arm After a Car Accident in Winston-Salem

If you’ve suffered a broken arm in Winston-Salem due to someone else’s negligence, you need to know what your case is truly worth.

At McMinn, Logan & Gray, we fight insurance companies that profit by minimizing payouts.

Your broken arm personal injury settlement should reflect the full impact this injury will have on your life.

What Determines Your Broken Arm Personal Injury Settlement Amount in North Carolina?

Several critical factors influence how much compensation you can recover for your broken arm case. The type of fracture makes an enormous difference in settlement value.

Simple fractures that heal with casting typically result in lower settlements. Compound fractures that pierce through the skin require surgery and result in much higher compensation.

Fracture Types That Affect Settlement Value

Different types of breaks create different levels of damage and compensation:

• Simple fractures: Clean breaks that align properly and heal with casting
• Displaced fractures: Bones that shift out of position and may require surgical realignment
• Compound fractures: Open breaks where bone penetrates the skin, creating infection risks
• Comminuted fractures: Bones are shattered into multiple pieces, requiring complex reconstruction

Fractures involving joints often lead to long-term arthritis. This dramatically increases case value because the problems continue for years.

Your dominant arm versus your non-dominant arm also affects settlement negotiations. Losing function in your dominant hand creates more significant challenges and typically results in higher compensation.

Age and Health Factors

Younger patients generally heal faster and more completely. On the other hand, older individuals may face permanent limitations that increase settlement values.

Pre-existing conditions like arthritis can complicate healing and affect final compensation amounts.

Medical Expenses and Treatment Costs for Broken Arm Personal Injury Settlement Cases

Medical costs form the foundation of most broken arm settlements. Even straightforward fractures can reach substantial amounts.

Immediate Medical Costs

When you break your arm, the medical expenses start adding up immediately. Emergency room visits alone can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the hospital and your injury.

Your initial medical costs are typically for:

• Emergency room treatment
• Diagnostic imaging
• Orthopedic consultations
• Surgical consultations

Upfront expenses represent just the beginning of your medical costs. More complex treatments and ongoing care add significantly to your total medical expenses.

Surgery Expenses

Surgery dramatically increases medical expenses. The costs vary based on complexity. Surgical costs don’t include post-operative care and monitoring.

Ongoing Treatment Expenses

Physical therapy represents a major ongoing cost component for most broken arm patients. These expenses continue for weeks or months after your initial treatment.

Potential ongoing medical costs:

• Physical therapy sessions
• Follow-up surgeon appointments
• Additional X-rays
• Prescription pain medications
• Medical equipment: Slings, braces, and mobility aids during recovery

Multiple sessions per week can quickly add thousands to your total medical expenses over the course of your recovery.

Future Medical Considerations

North Carolina settlements must account for future medical needs. Many patients develop arthritis at fracture sites years later.

This requires ongoing treatment and potential future surgeries. Hardware removal procedures may become necessary if plates or screws cause discomfort.

Lost Income and Economic Impact of Broken Arm Injuries

Lost wages represent one of the largest components of many broken arm settlements. This is particularly true for people whose jobs require manual dexterity or physical strength.

Beyond Basic Lost Wages

The economic impact extends beyond basic lost wages:

• Lost overtime opportunities
• Missed bonuses
• Lost advancement possibilities
• Commission losses

Additional losses can be substantial and must be a part of the settlement calculations.

Special Considerations for Business Owners

Self-employed individuals face unique challenges. They don’t simply lose a paycheck. They may lose clients, contracts, and business relationships. These took years to develop and represent significant economic losses.

Many business owners must hire temporary help. The situation creates additional expenses during an already difficult financial period.

Reduced Earning Capacity

Even after returning to work, many people face limitations. Some work reduced hours or accept lower-paying positions due to permanent restrictions.

For this rearson, documentation becomes crucial for maximizing lost wage recovery. Pay stubs, tax returns, and employer statements help prove your pre-injury earning capacity.

Pain and Suffering Compensation for Broken Arms in North Carolina Cases

North Carolina recognizes non-economic damages as legitimate components of personal injury settlements.

Physical pain during healing can be intense. This is particularly true in the first weeks after injury.

Sleep disruption from pain affects daily life for months, leading to prolonged exhaustion.

Emotional and Lifestyle Impact

The emotional toll of losing independence shouldn’t be minimized:

• Daily living challenges
• Frustration and depression
• Loss of recreational activities
• Social isolation

These impacts vary by person but can be substantial and long-lasting.

Permanent Consequences

North Carolina courts calculate pain and suffering based on several factors. These include severity and duration of symptoms, impact on daily activities, and permanence of limitations.

More severe fractures with longer recovery periods typically warrant higher pain and suffering awards.

Factors That Can Reduce Your Winston-Salem Accident Claim

North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule poses the greatest threat to your broken arm settlement.

The state laws bar recovery entirely if you’re found at fault for the accident. This makes North Carolina one of the most difficult states for injury victims.

How Insurance Companies Attack Your Case

Insurance companies aggressively investigate cases, looking for ways to blame victims:

• Traffic violations: They scrutinize whether you were speeding, distracted, or violating any rules
• Slip and fall blame: They argue you should have seen the hazards or weren’t paying attention
• Pre-existing conditions: They claim your problems existed before the accident
• Treatment gaps: Missing appointments suggests you’re not truly injured

These, along with other similar tactics, are designed to avoid paying fair compensation.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Cases

Several mistakes can damage your settlement prospects:

• Failing to seek immediate medical treatment gives insurance companies ammunition.
• Social media posts can be devastating if they contradict injury claims. Photos showing activities or statements about feeling better can be taken out of context.
• Delayed reporting of accidents also hurts cases. Insurance companies question why you waited if you were truly injured.

Such challenges make early legal representation crucial. An experienced attorney protects your rights from day one.

Working with a Personal Injury Attorney to Maximize Your Compensation

Insurance companies employ teams whose job is to minimize payouts. Professional legal representation levels the playing field.

McMinn, Logan & Gray, PLLC brings experience with similar cases and knowledge of true settlement values. We work with medical professionals to document your injuries thoroughly. And we build strong evidence for maximum compensation.

Protection Against Quick Settlement Pressure

We ensure all future medical needs and complications are considered.

When negotiations fail to produce fair offers, we’re prepared for trial. Insurance companies know which attorneys will fight and adjust their offers accordingly.

Your Broken Arm Settlement Deserves Professional Attention

Every broken arm case has unique factors that affect its value. These range from the specific bones involved to the long-term impact on your career.

Early consultation protects your interests while the evidence is fresh, witnesses are available, and memories are clear.

Contact McMinn, Logan & Gray today for a confidential case evaluation. Your recovery is our priority. Let us handle the legal fight for you.