JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers | June 18, 2025 | Car Accidents
Car accidents often cause shoulder injuries. These injuries may affect your ability to work, care for yourself, or move without pain. You may struggle with basic tasks or lose access to activities you once enjoyed. Certain injuries may cause permanent damage if you delay treatment or legal action.
Common Types of Shoulder Injuries After a Crash
A crash may cause a wide range of shoulder injuries, including the following:
- Rotator cuff tears: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder. A sudden jolt from an accident may rip or tear these tissues, causing pain and weakness.
- Shoulder dislocation: Occurs when the upper arm bone forces itself out of the shoulder socket. This may result in intense pain, swelling, and loss of mobility.
- Shoulder fractures: Involve broken bones caused by impact with the seatbelt, door frame, or steering wheel. Common fracture sites include the clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade), and humerus (upper arm bone).
- Tendon damage and inflammation: Impact may inflame shoulder tendons, causing pain and stiffness, especially with movement.
- Shoulder impingement: Happens when tissue gets pinched between bones during shoulder movement, often leading to chronic discomfort and limited range of motion.
- Joint trauma: General damage to the shoulder joint can affect stability and strength, making it difficult to lift, reach overhead, or extend the arm fully.
These injuries often limit your ability to reach overhead, lift objects, or extend your arm and can cause chronic pain.
Causes of Shoulder Damage in Vehicle Collisions
Your position in the vehicle affects your injury risk. A seatbelt may strain one shoulder more than the other. The force of the crash may twist your body or push your shoulder against the door or dashboard. Drivers often brace for impact by gripping the steering wheel, which increases strain on the shoulder joint.
Even minor collisions may cause damage if your body reacts abruptly. The size and structure of your vehicle also influence injury risk. Smaller vehicles often provide less protection than larger ones. Airbag deployment may reduce some injuries, but may also cause bruising or impact injuries in the shoulder region.
Long-Term Effects of Shoulder Injuries from Car Accidents
Some shoulder injuries require months or years to heal. You may need physical therapy, injections, or surgery. Even with treatment, you may face lasting limitations. Arthritis may develop in the injured joint. You may lose strength or motion, which affects your ability to work or participate in daily life.
Pain may continue long after the initial recovery. You may avoid certain activities due to fear of reinjury or physical discomfort.
Evidence That Can Help Support Your Injury Claim
To support your case, gather strong documentation, like the following:
- Medical records: Include all diagnoses, treatment notes, imaging results, and prescriptions to show the extent and progression of your injury.
- Doctor’s statements or expert testimony: These can help clearly connect your shoulder injury to the crash.
- Photos of vehicle damage or the crash scene: Visual evidence helps demonstrate the impact’s severity.
- Police reports: Provide an official, unbiased account of the accident.
- Witness statements: Can support your version of events and help establish fault.
- Personal injury journal: Track your daily pain levels, mobility issues, and emotional struggles.
- Documentation of missed work and household help: Shows how the injury has disrupted your income and daily life.
Strong, organized documentation not only strengthens your personal injury claim but also improves your chances of receiving full and fair compensation.
Damages You May Recover in a Shoulder Injury Case
A car accident shoulder injury may lead to medical bills, lost income, and pain. You may qualify for compensation that covers treatment, surgery, physical therapy, medication, and long-term care. If you missed work, your claim may include past and future income losses.
You may also recover damages for emotional stress or physical discomfort. If your injury prevents you from enjoying hobbies, maintaining your home, or caring for loved ones, those losses may factor into your case. Your claim should reflect every way the injury affects your life.
Contact the Encino Personal Injury Lawyers of JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation today at (833) 852-3600.
Our main office is in Encino, CA, but we serve all through Los Angeles County.
JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers
16633 Ventura Blvd suite 1011,
Encino, CA 91436
