Even if a car accident happens at a relatively low speed, it can cause serious injuries. The force of being jerked around or thrust against the hard surface of the car’s interior surface can have disastrous consequences. Victims may experience limitations in moving their arms and handling everyday activities.
A car crash has the propensity to put a significant amount of stress on the body, in particular. The impact of a collision could fracture or disconnect the shoulder bones or damage the shoulder joint. It could even tear tendons, ligaments, or other sensitive structures in the shoulder. If you are experiencing shoulder pain after a car accident, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention.
The shoulder is a delicate ball-and-socket joint that is vulnerable to damage. A vehicle collision can have particularly severe outcomes for shoulder injury if the accident is bad enough. While some discomfort is normal after a car crash, severe shoulder pain is a cause for concern. Lasting or persistent and intense shoulder pain could indicate severe injuries like a torn rotator cuff or a dislocated shoulder. In addition, pain symptoms can potentially last for a year or more after the accident.
The only sure method to safely manage and treat your shoulder pain after a car accident is to visit a doctor. A medical professional will be able to diagnose your injury and prescribe the appropriate treatment plan.
Treatments could last from weeks to months and involve medication and physical therapy. Unfortunately, medical bills and treatment expenses can add up and become overwhelming. That’s why it’s so critical to seek legal counsel from a skilled Denver car accident attorney who can help you get the compensation you deserve.
A skilled Denver personal injury attorney can work with car accident victims to help secure a fair settlement amount for their pain and suffering. If you or someone you love is experiencing shoulder pain after a car accident, you should inform yourself how to treat it and why it’s essential to hire a qualified legal team.
Symptoms of Shoulder Injuries and Pain in Shoulder After Car Crash
The most apparent sign of shoulder injury is pain. Pain can occur in the shoulder, upper back, and arm for a shoulder injury. It can begin immediately after the crash or have a delayed onset anywhere from 24-48 hours after the accident.
If a person has delayed pain symptoms, it’s often difficult to predict the severity of the injury until it’s too late. The most important thing to remember is to get immediate medical treatment, no matter how mild your shoulder pain feels. Please do not wait until your pain is unbearable, or it could be too late to prevent further damage. Here are some symptoms to look out for if you suspect a shoulder injury after a car accident:
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Limited range of motion
- Weakness in the shoulder
- Inability to move the arm or shoulder region
- Instability in the shoulder joint
- Cracking or popping sound in the shoulder
- Muscle cramps or spasms in the arms or shoulders
- A bump or bulge on or near the shoulder
- Bump or bulge near the collarbone
- Upper back pain
- Neck pain
Common Types of Shoulder Injuries Caused by Car Wrecks
The shoulder is a ball and socket structure made up of bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. These parts work together to provide humans with a wide range of movements via the shoulder. Some people who sustain injury to the shoulder will experience the pain right away, while others may not notice any discomfort for days or even weeks after the accident. Pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving the shoulder are the first signs that you may have an injury. Here are a few common shoulder injuries that follow after a car accident:
Bone Fracture
If the collision impact is drastic enough, the contact could cause a fracture in any of the major shoulder bones:
- Humerus
- Shoulder blade
- Collar bone
Deep Tissue Bruising
Deep tissue bruising is a more severe version of bruising caused by blunt force by an external object. The muscles and connective tissues of the shoulder can cause internal bleeding and excruciating pain for the patient.
Shoulder Strains and Sprains
The jerking motion that thrusts passengers beyond natural positions in a crash can cause strains or sprains in the shoulder. In addition, such movements can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion in muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder.
Rotator Cuff Tear
Rotator cuff tears are one of the most common shoulder injuries caused by car accidents. A rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that keep the upper arm bone in place and connected to the shoulder socket. If a muscle or tendon in this area gets torn, a person can experience a dull ache, difficulty moving their arm, or experience a feeling of weakness in the arm and shoulder area.
Can I Sue for Shoulder Pain?
Yes, you can pursue legal action for shoulder pain after a car accident. You are entitled to seek compensation for your discomfort, pain, and suffering from a car accident injury. Pain and suffering are considered a type of damage for which you can claim recovery or compensation in a personal injury claim.
Some other damages for which you could seek compensation after sustaining a shoulder injury in a car accident:
- Current, past, and future medical bills
- Expenses for any prescription medication related to the injury
- Out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., over the counter pain medicine)
- Travel costs for medical treatment
- Lost or reduced wages due to injury
- Property damage
- Home care costs
The value of your shoulder injury claim will vary depending on the severity of the damages. For example, if you require surgery and a year of recovery, your case will likely have a higher value than a muscle strain that healed within a few weeks. You will also need to consider the behavior of the driver who caused the accident when calculating a fair settlement amount.
While you can’t put a price on any injury, pain, or suffering after a car accident, you can recover damages to help you pay for medical bills and other burdens you have faced due to the accident. An experienced Denver car accident attorney will be able to help you accurately calculate the value of your damages. Consulting with your attorney is the only way to ensure you seek adequate compensation.
See It Through With an Experienced Denver Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one is suffering from an injury after a car accident, the last thing you probably want to do is deal with a legal battle. Instead of trying to go it alone, contact a competent, seasoned lawyer, as this can ultimately spell the difference between the success or failure of your case. Make sure you find the right attorney who has your best interests in mind. That way, you can focus on recovering and regaining good health.
Our skilled car accident attorneys will work with medical experts to establish the accurate cost of your current and future medical expenses. You deserve to obtain the total and fair financial compensation owed to you if you received injuries from a car accident.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation. We will happily discuss your legal rights and fight to win you the total compensation you deserve.
