Car accidents have a way of changing things in an instant. You were driving in Ohio, and now you’re left with a shoulder that hurts. Maybe the pain came on strong right after the accident, or perhaps it’s something you noticed later. Either way, it’s disrupting your life, and you’re looking for answers.
It’s unfortunately quite common to experience shoulder injuries from a car accident. These injuries can range from minor strains to severe issues requiring extensive treatment.
For more information and a complimentary consultation, call us today at (419) 455-1410 or contact us online.
Common Car Accident Shoulder Injuries
Even a minor car accident can jolt your body in unexpected ways. The force can injure your shoulder by hitting the steering wheel, window, seatbelt, or sudden jerking motions. Here are seven common shoulder injuries from a car accident.
Shoulder Strain
The collision can overstretch or tear the muscles and tendons in your shoulder, similar to what might happen if you lift something too heavy or overexert yourself while playing sports. You’ll experience pain, stiffness, and limited movement, making everyday tasks like fastening your seatbelt or sleeping on your side difficult and uncomfortable.
Deep Tissue Bruising
The impact from the accident can cause bruising deep within the muscles of your shoulder. This type of bruising can result in persistent pain and tenderness that lingers for weeks or months. Simple actions like getting dressed or reaching for objects on a shelf might become a struggle.
Shoulder Fractures
A forceful impact can fracture the bones in your shoulder, such as your collarbone (clavicle) or upper arm bone (humerus). These fractures often cause significant pain and severely limit your ability to use your arm. You might also experience swelling, bruising, and even a visible deformity in your shoulder area.
Separated Shoulder
If your shoulder strikes the dashboard or window during the accident, it can damage the ligaments that connect your collarbone to your shoulder blade. This is called a separated shoulder, which can cause a noticeable bump on your shoulder where the joint is separated. Any arm movement will likely be painful, and you’ll experience bruising and swelling.
Rotator Cuff Injury
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that help you lift and rotate your arm. The force of a car accident can tear these tissues, making everyday tasks difficult. This type of injury leads to pain, weakness, and difficulty with everyday tasks like reaching, lifting, or even combing your hair.
Dislocated Shoulder
A violent impact can dislocate your shoulder, forcing the top of your arm bone out of its socket. This injury requires immediate medical attention to put the joint back in place. Dislocated shoulders cause intense pain and instability in the joint, making it difficult or impossible to use your arm.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that controls movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand. A forceful blow to the shoulder or a sudden jerking of the neck can stretch or compress these nerves, leading to various symptoms, including pain, weakness, numbness, or even paralysis in the shoulder and arm.
You don’t always feel shoulder pain after a car accident right away. Even if you are experiencing delayed shoulder pain after a car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Seeking Shoulder Pain After Car Accident Compensation
A car accident in Ohio can do more than damage your car; it can cause real harm to you. Shoulder injuries from a car accident can be painful, expensive to treat, and make your everyday life more difficult. But you don’t have to accept this—you may be entitled to compensation to help you recover.
Here’s how shoulder pain after car accident compensation can help you get back on your feet:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Home or vehicle modifications,
- Loss of enjoyment, and
- Pain and suffering.
Ohio has a two-year time limit for filing personal injury claims. Contact an attorney promptly to understand your rights and explore your options for getting the help you need.
Delayed Shoulder Pain After a Car Accident? We Can Help
If you’re in northwest Ohio and dealing with car accident shoulder injuries, including delayed shoulder pain after a car accident, Bensinger Legal Services is here to support you. Attorney Aaron Bensinger brings years of experience in personal injury and civil litigation cases in Ohio and California to help you get back on track.
We understand the tactics insurance companies use to minimize claims and avoid paying fair compensation for your car accident shoulder injuries. That’s why our team of personal injury attorneys stands firm when dealing with them and is ready to take your case to trial if needed.
Contact us today by calling (419) 455-1410 or you can contact us online for a free consultation to discuss your claim and learn more about seeking compensation. Let us worry about your case while you focus on healing.
Aaron L. Bensinger is an Ohio attorney serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service is his primary focus. As a partner at Balyeat, Leahy, Daley, Miller & Bensinger, LLC, Aaron happily works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
Loading...