A shoulder injury from a car accident occurs when crash forces push or twist the shoulder joint beyond its normal range, damaging muscles, tendons, ligaments, or cartilage. In Birmingham car accidents, shoulder injuries are common because seat belts restrain the torso while the arm and shoulder absorb sudden force.
How Car Accidents Cause Shoulder Injuries
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. That mobility also makes it vulnerable during collisions. In a car accident, the shoulder may be pulled forward by the seat belt, slammed into the door, or forced to brace against the steering wheel.
Rear-end crashes often cause shoulder strain as the body is jolted forward. Side-impact collisions place direct force on the shoulder closest to the impact. Even low-speed crashes can cause serious shoulder damage when the arm is out of position.
These forces can tear soft tissue, disrupt joint stability, and inflame surrounding nerves.
Common Types of Shoulder Injuries in Car Accidents
Several specific shoulder injuries appear frequently after car crashes.
Rotator cuff tears occur when tendons that stabilize the shoulder are overstretched or torn. These injuries often limit lifting and overhead movement.
Labral tears involve damage to the cartilage ring that deepens the shoulder socket. They can cause clicking, instability, and persistent pain.
Shoulder impingement happens when swelling narrows the joint space, compressing tendons during movement.
Dislocations and subluxations occur when the shoulder partially or fully slips out of place. Even brief dislocations can cause lasting damage.
Symptoms That May Appear Later
Shoulder injuries are often delayed. Adrenaline masks pain at the scene. Swelling and inflammation increase over time.
Common symptoms include:
- Shoulder pain or stiffness
- Weakness when lifting the arm
- Pain that worsens at night
- Reduced range of motion
- Clicking or popping sensations
- Pain radiating into the neck or arm
Many people assume symptoms will resolve on their own. Delays in treatment often worsen outcomes.
Why Insurance Companies Dispute Shoulder Injury Claims
Insurance companies frequently label shoulder injuries as “degenerative” or “age-related.” Rotator cuff and labral injuries are common targets for this argument.
Adjusters also claim that minor crashes cannot cause shoulder damage. This ignores biomechanics. Shoulder injuries result from force direction and restraint systems, not just vehicle speed.
Delayed treatment is another common excuse. Insurers argue that later medical visits mean the injury was unrelated.
Consistent medical documentation helps counter these tactics.
Diagnosis and Medical Treatment
Shoulder injuries rarely appear on X-rays unless a fracture is present. MRI imaging is often necessary to identify soft-tissue damage.
Diagnosis may include:
- Physical exams
- Range-of-motion testing
- MRI or ultrasound imaging
Treatment depends on severity. Many injuries require:
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Corticosteroid injections
Some shoulder injuries require surgery, especially when tears cause instability or nerve involvement. Recovery can take months.
How Shoulder Injuries Affect Alabama Car Accident Claims
Alabama follows a contributory negligence rule. Insurers look closely for any excuse to deny responsibility.
Shoulder injuries often interfere with work, especially jobs involving lifting, driving, or repetitive motion. Claims may include compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Future treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
Because shoulder injuries may worsen over time, early undervaluation is common.
Why Legal Guidance Helps With Shoulder Injury Claims
An attorney helps establish the connection between crash mechanics and shoulder trauma. This includes reviewing vehicle damage, restraint use, and medical findings.
Legal guidance also protects injured individuals from insurance tactics that minimize soft-tissue injuries. Statements made early in the claim can later be used to dispute causation.
In Birmingham car accident cases, proper claim handling helps ensure long-term consequences are not ignored.
Long-Term Effects of Shoulder Injuries
Some people recover fully. Others experience chronic pain, weakness, or permanent limitations.
Long-term consequences may include:
- Reduced lifting ability
- Ongoing physical therapy
- Surgical intervention
- Chronic shoulder instability
These impacts should be reflected in any settlement or verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Injuries After Car Accidents
Q: Can a seat belt cause a shoulder injury in a car accident?
A: Yes. Seat belts restrain the torso but can transfer force to the shoulder during a collision.
Q: Are shoulder injuries always immediate?
A: No. Symptoms often appear hours or days after the accident.
Q: Can insurance deny a shoulder injury as pre-existing?
A: Insurers may try, but medical imaging and documentation can establish causation.
Q: Do shoulder injuries always require surgery?
A: No. Many cases improve with conservative treatment, though some require surgery.