Injuring yourself is always inconvenient, but when that injury affects your ability to drive, it can make life a bit more difficult. This Business Kitz blog is going to help explain the laws around driving with a broken arm, and clear up any misconceptions.
What’s the first thing I should do?
The first step to determining whether you are fit for driving with a broken arm is to consult your doctor and seek their advice. Your doctor will determine whether you can drive and will give you documentation stating you’re cleared to drive. This documentation is important to have and is important that you carry with you as in the chance you get pulled over, as some police officers may ask to see it. However, if you are not cleared to drive, it’s important to obey this and not get behind the wheel of a vehicle as you are not legally allowed to drive and if you are caught or cause an accident, you will face criminal prosecution.
With any injury, it’s important to consult your doctor and to follow their health advice, and this also applies to whether you can drive with a broken arm. The decision on whether you are eligible to continue to drive depends on the severity and location of the injury and cast. If the cast is on your leg or foot, this can affect your ability to safely use the clutch, brake or accelerator. If the cast is on your hand or arm, you may be able to drive if you can operate all vehicle controls and have at least one hand on the steering wheel at all times.
What about if I have a manual car?
If you own a manual car and you are wanting to drive with a cast, you need to be able to safely change gears and use the clutch, accelerator and brake whilst having one hand remain on the steering wheel at all times. Regulations around operating and driving a motorcycle are a bit more strict and therefore you are unable to ride a motorcycle if you have a cast on your leg, wrist, foot or arm and must wait until you are fully recovered and have the cast removed.
Will my insurance still cover me?
If you are driving with a broken arm, you may want to review the terms and conditions of your insurance policy to ensure that you are still covered. Whilst most insurance companies will only investigate if the broken bone was the leading cause of the accident or claim, it’s still important to be familiar with your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for your specific insurance policy.
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Legal advice
Most states don’t have a clear written out law about driving with a broken arm, so always consult with your doctor before operating a vehicle. Our sister company Legal Kitz can assist if you need any legal advice regarding driving with a broken arm. Our Legal Kitz business specialists can assist with ensuring that your concerns are addressed and can provide you with advice that is tailored to your situation. You can book a free 30-minute consultation with our experienced and highly qualified team via our website now.