"I'm disappointed to lose him but the diagnosis is much better than it could have been," Latics manager Roberto Martinez told the club's website.
The injury is another blow for Kirkland, who has suffered from recurring back problems.
Martinez added: "It's a completely new injury. Chris should be back in full training within a fortnight hopefully.
"It's important that we get him back in contention as soon as possible, but we have to be certain the injury is healed before risking him."
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How much of blow to Wigan is the injury to Kirkland?
Richard Evans, the Premier League club's head of sports science, confirmed that Kirkland's collarbone had not been fractured in the accident.
The keeper, who has one full England cap, joined Wigan from Liverpool in 2006. The Merseyside outfit had signed him from Coventry for £6m in 2001.
Kirkland is expected to be replaced by Serbian international goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic during his lay-off.
Stojkovic, 26, joined Wigan on loan from Sporting Lisbon this month and played in Saturday's 2-2 FA Cup fourth-round tie at Notts County.
He is likely to play for the Latics, who are second from bottom of the Premier League table, in their fixture against Blackburn at Ewood Park on Wednesday.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport