Shoulder Injuries From Car Accidents
What should I do if my shoulder hurts after a car accident?
Car accidents often involve high impact, which can have serious consequences for the occupants inside. The shoulder is one part of the body that is susceptible to severe injury in an accident. The shoulder consists of a ball and socket joint with three major bones: the humerus, the clavicle, and the scapula. These bones are held into place by various ligaments, muscles, and tendons. As the part of the body with the greatest range of motion, the shoulder is more likely to be injured in a car accident than many other parts of the body. Our Georgia car accident lawyers at Randall F. Rogers, PC, discuss various potential shoulder injuries and what you should do following a car accident below.
Common Shoulder Injuries
There are several potential shoulder injuries you could sustain in a car accident, including the following:
- Fractured bones
- Sprains
- Strains
- Rotator cuff tears
- Bruising
These are just a few of the possible injuries to your shoulder that you could experience after a motor vehicle crash. These injuries range in severity. Rotator cuff injuries, which involve the stretching or tearing of the tendons or ligaments in the shoulder joint, can be quite painful and potentially lead to long term injuries. Breaks to any bone of the shoulder can greatly reduce your mobility for some time to come.
Signs of a Shoulder Injury
If you have been involved in a car accident, be alert to any potential signs of a shoulder injury. Pain is generally the first sign you may experience. Additionally, be on the lookout for the symptoms below:
- Stiff shoulder
- Numbness or tingling in the shoulder or arm
- Sudden and intense pain in the shoulder area
- Shoulder pain that becomes worse with exertion
- Difficulty moving the arm
- Discolored shoulder area
Anyone who finds themselves experiencing any of these conditions after a car accident should seek medical attention right away. Delaying medical treatment could result in worsening shoulder injuries. Consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights. Shoulder injuries could result in considerable medical expenses and prevent you from returning to work, but you may be able to recover for these losses from the person responsible for the accident.
Posted in: Automobile Wrecks