Car accidents cause many different types of injuries including shoulder injuries. Damage to the shoulder normally occurs when an occupant collides with another passenger, the dashboard, the door, or with other parts of the vehicle such as a steering column. Shoulder injuries can also occur if an occupant is thrown from the car onto the ground, from the tightening of a seatbelt, or even when the airbag operates.
Accident victims who suffer a shoulder injury normally need initial help at the local emergency room where their injuries are evaluated. In severe cases, the car accident victim requires surgery. In most shoulder injury cases, the victim requires long-term rehabilitative care with a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, or other types of health care providers.
The different types of shoulder injuries
The shoulder is essentially a ball and socket joint. The different types of shoulder injuries that may require surgery or extensive treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic, are:
- A brachial plexus injury. This injury occurs when the nerves of the shoulder are stretched, compressed, or torn from the spinal cord.
- A broken collarbone (clavicle). The “collarbone connects the upper part of your breastbone to your shoulder blade.” It can crack, fracture, or break during impact.
- A dislocated shoulder. This shoulder injury occurs when the upper arm bone “pops out of the cup-shaped socket that’s part of your shoulder blade.” While many car accident victims recover from a shoulder dislocation, after seeking medical help, the shoulder joint may then be susceptible to repeat dislocations.
- A torn rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is composed of tendons and muscles. Some rotator cuffs require surgery. Most rotator cuff injuries require long-term medical care due to chronic pain. Rotator cuff tears can also cause a loss of ability to use the shoulder for many daily work activities.
- A separated shoulder. This injury affects the “ligaments that hold the collarbone to the shoulder blade. Stretched ligaments indicate a mild separated shoulder.” Torn ligaments indicate a more severe injury. A separated shoulder can often be treated with rest, ice, and pain relievers.
Other shoulder injuries that may be due to a car accident include fractures and labrum (fibrous tissue) tears.
Car accident victims who suffer shoulder injuries often need to treat with orthopedic surgeons who repair tears, treat dislocations, and repair fractures. Victims often need to also treat with pain management doctors because the pain is unbearable. People with shoulder injuries often can’t perform simple tasks comfortably such as sleeping, eating, brushing their hair or teeth, partaking in any sports, and enjoying their family. It may also make it difficult to type, which means even those with “office” jobs may be unable to work.
At Banks & Jones, our Knoxville car accident lawyers work to hold the driver and all other responsible parties liable for your injuries. We work with your doctors and independent doctors and health providers to fully document and understand how serious your shoulder injury is. To discuss any Knoxville (or nearby) car accident case, complete our contact form or call us at 865-546-2141 to schedule an appointment.
T. Scott knows the importance of interacting with colleagues to stay abreast of developments and changes in the legal world. T. Scott frequently teaches CLE courses on trial strategy, teaching other lawyers his methods for success in the courtroom, and is certified as a Rule 31 Mediator in the Tennessee Supreme Court. He is a member of the Knoxville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the National Trial Lawyers, and both the Tennessee and American Associations for Justice.
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