Don’t Take Car Accident Shoulder Injuries Lightly—Here’s What to Do

Pursue the Full Compensation You Deserve for Your Shoulder Injury With Our Virginia Car Accident Lawyer

Vehicle crashes are all too common in the Commonwealth, whether you’re commuting to work or returning home after buying groceries. Minor fender-benders may be just a nuisance, but drivers and passengers also suffer much more complicated consequences. Shoulder injuries are often underestimated, even though they can have a profound effect on car crash victims.

While a seatbelt can save your life, it can also be a source of strain in the event of a collision. From chronic pain to reduced mobility, the potential impact of a shoulder injury is dire. Take these injuries—and their costs—seriously with the help of the experienced Virginia car accident lawyers at The Mottley Law Firm. We advocate for your legal right to fair compensation.

Types of Shoulder Injuries Common in Virginia Car Accidents

Your shoulders have the greatest range of motion of any joints in the body, but they’re equally vulnerable to injury. Much like broken ribs and traumatic brain injuries, shoulder injuries from car crashes vary in type and severity. Many mechanics of the shoulder joint can stretch, tear, dislocate, or break. Here are some of the most common injuries.

Torn Rotator Cuffs

The rotator cuff is the group of tendons and muscles surrounding the shoulder joint. It can tear partially or completely from high-impact force, like in a car crash. Sudden trauma causes tendons to detach from the bone. A full-thickness tear can be especially painful and may require surgery.

SLAP Tears

SLAP stands for superior labrum anterior to posterior. The labrum is cartilage that helps keep the ball of the shoulder’s ball-and-socket joint in place. The superior labrum is the top portion of this structure, attaching to the biceps tendon. Victims with SLAP tears often experience shoulder locking, popping, and pain when lifting objects overhead.

Dislocated Shoulders

The humerus is the upper arm bone. A car accident can push the humerus out of the shoulder socket, causing what’s commonly known as a dislocated shoulder. A doctor may be able to push the bone back in place, but further treatment is often needed to stabilize the joint. Tendon, ligament, and nerve damage often accompany dislocated shoulder injuries.

Separated Shoulders

A separated shoulder sounds similar to a dislocated shoulder, but the terms refer to two different types of shoulder injuries. A separated shoulder occurs when the ligaments tear between the collarbone and the shoulder blade. Severe damage may cause the shoulder blade to separate from the collarbone.

Shoulder Bone Fractures

The official term for broken bones, partial and complete fractures may result from the forceful impact of a car crash. Affected bones include the humerus, scapula (shoulder blade), and clavicle (collarbone). Shoulder bone fractures can take up to nine months to heal.

Whiplash Injuries

Whiplash is a common collision injury caused by the sudden back-and-forth movement of the neck in a crash. However, whiplash injuries aren’t just isolated to the neck—they often reverberate to affect the shoulder and back, as bones, muscles, and connective tissues in this part of the body are all interconnected. 

Soft Tissue Injuries

Motor vehicle accidents are the cause of any manner of soft tissue injuries. Victims frequently suffer torn ligaments, bruising, contusions, muscle weakness, swelling, and impaired mobility. Stretched beyond their limits, tendon strains and ligament sprains become incredibly painful. Car accident victims may also suffer internal bleeding.

The Profound Impact of Shoulder Injuries on Daily Living

Nagging shoulder damage prevents you from enjoying life to the fullest. Playing sports like tennis and basketball can be painful. You might have trouble sleeping. You may struggle to pick up your children and grandchildren. With long recoveries and possible permanent disability, shoulder injuries drastically impact your ability to work and earn a living. 

The standard statute of limitations for most civil claims in Virginia is two years. With adrenaline running high, you may not feel the full extent of your condition right away. It’s prudent to seek medical help for a full assessment and to start the legal process as early as possible. Document your diagnoses and treatment carefully to support your personal injury case. 

Recoverable Damages From a Virginia Car Accident Claim

When you file a car accident claim, you may be eligible to seek economic and noneconomic damages. Examples of recoverable costs and losses may include: 

• Lost wages, including paid time off (PTO)
• Long-term impact on future earnings
• Medical care, like pain medication and chiropractor visits
• Assistive technology costs, like home modifications
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life

A judge or jury may also award punitive damages in cases where the other motorist was particularly reckless. 

The Vital Importance of Sound Legal Representation

In your quest to pursue full and fair compensation for your injuries, it’s imperative to have experienced legal counsel in your corner. This is especially important in more complex cases, such as hit-and-run car accidents. All of us on The Mottley Law Firm team are dedicated to our clients. We carefully investigate your case, gather evidence, and represent your interests when negotiating with insurance companies. 

We also approach every case with compassion, fighting hard for the justice you deserve. “I have been engaged in the past with some other lawyers and found you were the most understanding and precise about the facts involved in the case,” states Bhupendra Hajari. “You were the most dedicated lawyer I have experienced.”