Contact a Shoulder Injury Lawyer
It is strongly advised to speak with a personal injury attorney who will help you understand your rights.
A personal injury lawyer can represent you when dealing with the insurance company and represent you for negotiations or if you need to go to trial.
A personal injury lawyer can also help gather the evidence and documentation you’ll need to file a claim for a shoulder injury after an accident.
Your lawyer will also make sure your case is filed in a timely manner and the process is handled efficiently and effectively.
If you have been injured in an accident and have a shoulder injury call The Richard Harris law firm today for a free consultation.
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Shoulder Injury After Car Accident
After you’ve been injured in a car accident you may notice that you have shoulder pain or a shoulder injury.
This can be a common injury after a car crash.
The impact of the crash can cause the victim to be thrown forward and then quickly thrown backward, resulting in muscles being strained or torn ligaments.
Depending on the accident will determine the severity of the shoulder pain or injury.
Shoulder pain and injuries can vary widely from a mild discomfort to severe injury that can limit mobility.
Shoulder pain may be part of other injuries that you may have sustained in the accident including whiplash or head injuries.
Many people who experience a car accident think that they don’t need medical attention, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
When you injure something like the shoulder area that has lots of moving parts like ligaments and tendons you may not even notice that you’re injured right away.
Many injuries including shoulder pain injuries can not present right away.
You may need to have tests like an MRI or X-Rays to realize that your shoulder is even injured.
It is important for any accident victim to seek medical attention right away to receive the proper diagnosis and treatment for a shoulder injury.
If you have a shoulder injury or shoulder pain after a car accident it is also just as important to consider seeking legal help.
An experienced lawyer can help you understand your rights and options for seeking compensation for your injuries including a shoulder injury.
In addition a lawyer will help you negotiate with the insurance adjusters.
A legal team can also help you gather the evidence you need to support your claim such as medical bills, expert testimony, witness statements and police reports.
Reasons For Shoulder Pain After Car Accident?
The most common shoulder injuries that can occur after a car accident that cause severe injury and pain are:
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Sprains and Strains- This happens because the ligaments and tendons around the muscle area are stretched or torn during the force of the crash.
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Dislocations- This is one of the most visible and painful shoulder injuries. This happens when the upper bone or bones in the ear become partially or fully separated from the shoulder blade.
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Bursitis- Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae, a small fluid filled sac that cushions the shoulder joint.
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Tendinitis- This is the inflammation of the tendons. The tendons are fibrous tissues that connect the muscles to the bones in the shoulder area
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Rotator cuff injuries- When you injure your rotator cuff it can cause difficulty moving the shoulder and cause severe pain. The Rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder.
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Whiplash- With the force of the crash whiplash is one of the most common injuries and occurs when the head and neck are thrown forward and then backward with severe force. This action causes straining of the muscles in the neck. Shoulder injuries are a common symptom of whiplash.
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Fractured Collarbone- The clavicle is the bone that runs from the sternum to the shoulder. It is common after a car accident for the collarbone to be fractured.
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Fractured shoulder blade- The shoulder blade is the flat bone that is on the back of the chest and can be easily fractured in an accident
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Fractured arm- The humerus bone is the bone located from the shoulder to the elbow and is a common injury after an accident.
All these injuries are common after an accident and can range from very mild to severe and can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty with mobility.
Seek medical attention after an accident if you experience shoulder pain or soreness, you should seek medical attention no matter what.
A medical professional will be able to diagnose and treat the causes of the pain and recommend treatment for your injuries.
Always follow the doctor’s recommendations for treatment of your injuries after an accident.
Types of Shoulder Pain You May Experience
Pain and injury can vary based on the severity of the accident.
Most people who experience shoulder injuries may experience:
Dull Pain- Muscles, tendon and ligament injuries usually cause dull pain. This is usually a constant dull throbbing sensation and may be a sign of an underlying injury.
Sharp Pain– This pain comes on quickly and may seem like a stabbing or shooting pain. If this is the pain you feel you may have injured your shoulder joint or surrounding areas.
Chronic Pain– Persistent pain or chronic pain is pain that lasts more than three months. Chronic Pain is usually caused by arthritis or a rotator cuff injury.
Severe Pain– Severe pain interferes with your daily life and causes extreme discomfort. A broken arm or a dislocated shoulder could cause this type of pain.
When Does Shoulder Pain Appear?
Like we stated before, after every accident you should seek medical attention since many injuries might not show up right away or you might notice them at all immediately.
This is the case with shoulder injuries as well.
Injuries to the shoulder like tendon, muscle or ligament injuries may get worse over several weeks, and not present themselves until much later.
It’s important to watch your symptoms after being in an accident.
If your symptoms get worse you should go back to the doctor immediately when you notice any changes in your condition.
Treatments for Shoulder Injuries
Depending on the injury you have will determine what types of treatments that the doctor will advise you to do?
The most common medical treatments for shoulder injuries are:
Rest and Ice- This reduces swelling and pain. Rest and ice are usually prescribed no matter what the injury is.
Pain Medication– Doctors try not to give as much prescription pain medication anymore but will dispense it when needed. Today more doctors prescribe over the counter pain relievers instead of addictive narcotics.
Physical Therapy– Physical therapy may take a long time as a form of recovery but it can rehabilitate the shoulder and improve the range of motion. Physical therapy is a long term commitment.
Stretching and Strength Exercises– Doctors can advise you and give you a set of exercises to do to reduce pain and increase mobility after a car accident and shoulder injury. Yoga is also a good form of stretching and strengthening exercises.
Massage Therapy- This improves muscle tension and circulation.
Chiropractic Care- This can realign the spine and improve the mobility of the shoulder.
Surgery– This should be the last resort for any shoulder injury. However, it may be the only option to repair your shoulder injury.
Always consult a medical professional before beginning any treatments for any shoulder injury.
What’s a Shoulder Injury Settlement Worth?
All accident claims are different and determining what the settlement will be worth depend on many factors.
These factors include the severity of the accident, the extent of any personal injury, and the impact of the injury on the individual’s ability to work and engage in daily activities.
Factors like medical expenses, and lost wages, pain and suffering also affect the settlement you could receive.
If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence then you can recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses.
