Most Common Shoulder Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
When you have a car accident, your body is subjected to significant physical forces. This happens even at relatively low speeds. So even if you think you have not been hurt, you may discover, a few days later, that you actually have been.
This frequently happens with shoulder injuries. It is a complex joint. With 3 key bones coming together in one place there is a lot that can go wrong. The range of movement in this area means that there is a complex web of ligaments and tendons that can be torn, as well as bones that can be broken.
Below, we explain what the most common types of shoulder injuries are. How to recognize the early signs of this type of injury and what to do if you have those symptoms. As well as how to file a successful injury claim to secure the funds you need to pay for medical support that will improve your chances of making a full recovery.
Outline
Shoulder Injuries in Car Accidents
Shoulder injuries are one of the most prevalent injuries caused by car accidents. High on the list, which includes head, neck, back, knee, wrist, hand, foot, and ankle injuries.
They are a particularly common injury for those involved in motorcycle accidents. Riders usually hit the road surface hard and often land on one of their shoulders or their collarbone.
The same is true for those involved in bicycle accidents. Their body may be travelling at a slower speed when it hits the road, but they are usually not wearing any form of upper body protection. Unlike a motorcyclist who may have invested in a biker jacket that can reduce the severity of their injuries, at least a little.
The shoulder is a complex part of the body. There are three major bones that are vulnerable when the shoulder area suffers a hard impact. They are:
- The shoulder blade (scapula), which includes the acromion and coracoid process areas that can also be injured
- The collar bone (clavicle)
- The main upper arm bone (humerus bone)
Other easily damaged parts of the shoulder include:
- The rotator cuff, which is the group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint
- The acromioclavicular joint, which joins the shoulder blade and the collar bone together
- The glenohumeral joint which is the ball and socket that connects the main arm bone to the shoulder blade
- The shoulder joint capsule which are the ligaments that surround the glenohumeral joint
Most Common Shoulder Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
The shoulder area of the body is quite complicated. It has to be for you to be able to move your arm through such a wide range of movements. The fact that it is so complex an area means that there are a lot of different shoulder-related injuries you could potentially suffer from, including:
- Labral tears
- Shoulder joint tears
- A tear in the fibrous tissue that keeps the humerus attached to the shoulder
- Rotator cuff tears
- Fractures to the collar bone, the shoulder blade, or the humerus
Shoulder dislocations, which is when two bones in the structure are torn apart and pop out of position
The list of symptoms you experience with these injuries include:
- Pain when reaching upwards
- A grinding or popping feeling when the shoulder is moved
- Loss of strength and stability in the arm or shoulder area
If you notice any of these symptoms after a car accident it is important that you seek medical advice as soon as possible. Trying to struggle through is only going to make the injury much worse.
It is particularly important to do this if you have suffered from a rotator cuff tear. This is a nasty injury that can severely affect your ability to use your arm. It happens when the shoulder blade pulls and pinches the muscles and tendons of the rotator cuff.
Look out for the following signs of a torn rotator cuff:
- Pain when moving the arm
- Pain when lifting objects
- Loss of shoulder strength
- Loss of mobility in your shoulder
You have to be particularly careful if you think that your shoulder has been dislocated. These are the symptoms to look out for:
- Deformity of the joint
- Pain when moving the shoulder
- Swelling
- Discoloration of the injured area
Treatments for Shoulder Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
If you are lucky, your shoulder injury treatment will not be a long-drawn-out process. You may have to undergo one of the following procedures to begin or support the healing process:
- Surgery to restructure torn ligaments or tendons
- Arthroscopy which is used to put a shoulder back in place after a dislocation
- Rotator cuff surgery
- Acromioclavicular joint repairs
- Torn labrum surgery
- Fracture repair
If you are fortunate, you may only need non-surgical treatments such as:
- Medications, like pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medication, oral steroids
- Cortisone injections
- Stem cell therapy
- Physical therapy
All of these treatment options are necessary to:
- Restore shoulder strength
- Relieve pain
- Improve mobility
Car accidents can often lead to serious shoulder injuries that incur medical and rehabilitation costs. Talk to a personal injury lawyer at Diamond & Diamond today to file for damages.
Call Diamond & Diamond to Get Compensated for Your Shoulder Injury Due to a Car Accident
- We have extensive expertise in handling personal injury claims for car accidents of all kinds.
- We can help you gather the evidence to back up your claim for compensation for your motor vehicle accident injury.
- Guide you about your rights and legal options after a car accident.
- Our experienced team is here to assist you in the filing of your claims.
- Call our 1-800 number now, we are available to call 24/7
- Get a free consultation when you call
- You can use our online contact form on our website if you would like to do so
PRO TIP :
“Don’t underestimate even minor shoulder injuries. They can disturb your sleeping habits, hinder you from enjoying your favourite hobbies, and may get worse over time if left untreated.”
FAQ’s on Common Shoulder Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
Can I sue if a car accident worsened a previously existing shoulder injury/condition?
It is still possible to sue if an existing shoulder injury or condition is worsened after a car accident. Understandably, the other party will almost certainly argue that the existing injury has not worsened as a result of their actions. So, it is wise to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer. They will need to be able to call upon the right medical expert witnesses to counter the other party’s arguments.
My shoulder injury made me depressed, can I also demand damages for my depression?
Claiming for depression that has arisen after being injured in an accident is not easy. But, in some cases, it can be done. If the crash was particularly traumatic it may be possible to make a PTSD claim that encompasses the symptom of depression. Sometimes the pain and suffering rules can also be used to claim for the negative impact post-accident depression has had on your life. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to advise you.
I already got compensation for another injury caused by the car accident. What do I do if later on, I discover a previously undiagnosed shoulder injury caused by the same car accident?
It is rarely possible to claim compensation for a shoulder injury caused by a car accident that was not included in your initial claim. You have to prove the injury could only have been caused by the original accident. Plus, you would have to prove that you were not aware of the injury at the time that you filed your original claim. It is important to be extremely careful about what you claim. That is why lawyers do not like you to rush the process of making a personal accident claim.