While you may feel soreness all over your body after a car accident, experiencing shoulder pain can severely impact your everyday life, even weeks after the accident. Shoulder pain can restrict mobility, making it difficult to complete daily tasks or return to work. If left untreated, shoulder injuries can cause serious complications or chronic pain. If you are experiencing shoulder pain from a car accident, it is always best to visit a medical professional so you can receive the proper diagnosis and treatment.

At the Law Office of Kenneth Berger, our South Carolina personal injury lawyer understands the impact that suffering from a shoulder injury can have on your life. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain after a car accident that was not your fault, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. Our team of South Carolina personal injury attorneys is well-versed in car accident compensation claims and can help guide you through the legal process so you can focus on healing. 

We offer free consultations and would be happy to answer your questions. Contact us today for a free consultation by calling our Columbia, SC office at (803) 790-2800, filling out the contact form on our site, or starting a live chat below.

 

What To Do If You Are Experiencing Shoulder Pain After an Auto Accident in Columbia, SC Elizabeth explaining the consequences of auto accident injuries in south carolina

  • Seek medical attention immediately: The best way to prevent worsening of symptoms or further complications is to see a doctor as soon as possible after the car accident. Receiving the proper diagnosis in a timely manner is the best way to ensure a smooth and speedy recovery. If you have it, make sure to file all your medical treatments with your health insurance provider. 
  • Keep the documentation of every medical cost and visit: When seeking treatment for your shoulder pain, make sure to keep every record and physical documentation of your doctor's visits and medical bills. Once you are done treating, our injury attorneys will send a demand to the insurance company requesting that they pay you a full, fair recovery. Keeping track of your treatment can help expedite the process, so we can make the demand promptly after treatment is complete. 

You should not have to worry about piling medical bills and lost wages from attending doctors’ appointments. If the other driver caused the crash that led to your injury, you can file an injury claim to help cover the costs of your treatment. Our team of car accident attorneys is here to help guide you through the legal process, negotiate with the insurance companies, reduce your medical bills, and take everything off your plate so you can focus on healing. Contact us for a free consultation by calling 803-790-2800 to see how we can help. 

 

Shoulder Pain Symptoms After a Car Accident

If you are experiencing ongoing shoulder pain after being in a auto wreck, you may be facing a more serious shoulder injury. Common symptoms experienced by individuals with shoulder pain include:

  • Catching, locking, popping or grinding sensations 
  • Loss of range of motion
  • Pain when lifting objects or lowering arm
  • Weakness and instability
  • Tingling and numbness
  • Swelling and stiffness1

Talk to your doctor about your pain and symptoms so they can determine your best plan for treatment. 

 

Types of Shoulder Injuries From Car Crashes

The forceful impact of a car wreck can lead to serious shoulder injuries that can affect your everyday life. Shoulder pain after a crash may indicate the following injuries:Types of Shoulder Injuries from Car Crashes

  • Torn Rotator Cuff: Your rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles that connect the humerus to the shoulder blade and provides mobility for your shoulder, allowing you to lift your arm. A tear can occur when any of these muscles are damaged. 
  • Fractures: The force of impact during an auto accident can fracture your upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade. X-rays can typically detect a fracture.
  • Dislocation: This is essentially when your arm bone pops out of its socket. You can usually tell immediately if you have dislocated your shoulder joint because of the intense acute pain. Immobilization or even surgery may be necessary.1 
  • Soft Tissue Damage: A common soft tissue injury is a SLAP tear, which is a tearing of the labrum (the ring of cartilage around the shoulder joint). SLAP stands for superior labrum anterior and posterior. 

If you believe you have suffered a serious shoulder injury after someone else crashed into you, you have the right to file a personal injury claim against their auto insurance policy to help cover expenses like medical bills, lost wages, and lost enjoyment of life. Contact our team for a free consultation to see how we can help you with your injury claim so you can focus on healing. 

 

What is the Best Treatment for a Shoulder Injury After a Collision?

The best course of treatment for shoulder pain after a car wreck depends on the type of shoulder injury you are suffering from and its severity. Your shoulder pain may resolve itself in a matter of weeks, while more severe injuries may require surgery and a more intensive recovery process. Regardless of the type of injury, most shoulder injuries will require immobilization for a period of time, which can make it difficult to resume daily life.1 Common course of treatment for shoulder pain may include:

Talk to your medical provider about your symptoms so they can diagnose your injury and determine your best plan for treatment. Our team can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf so you don’t have to take on the financial burden of medical bills after your crash.

 

Can I Seek Compensation for a Shoulder Injury From a Car Accident? 

If you are suffering from a shoulder injury after being involved in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills and other damages, such as: 

  • Medical Expenses 
  • Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
  • Lost enjoyment of life
  • Physical pain
  • Emotional distress

Consulting a personal injury attorney can help you understand how to file a lawsuit in order to recover these damages. Navigating the legal system can be tough, especially when you are dealing with pain. Our personal injury attorneys can help collect evidence to prove the other driver’s negligence, negotiate a settlement, and represent you in a trial if needed.

How Our Legal Team Can Help After a Shoulder Injury From a Columbia, SC Car Crash

Shoulder injuries can be stressful and prevent you from living your daily life. If you are suffering from shoulder pain after a car accident that was not your fault, you have the right to hold the negligent driver accountable.

Let our team of car accident attorneys take the burden off your shoulders by navigating the complex legal system for you. We understand how difficult suffering an injury from a car accident can be. We are here to be a resource for your questions and concerns throughout this entire process. We prioritize client communication throughout the entirety of your case, so you can stay in the loop while also focusing on getting well. 

We offer free consultations and would be happy to answer your questions. Contact us online today or call us at 803-790-2800. Our offices are conveniently located in Columbia and Myrtle Beach, and we have been proudly servicing clients throughout the surrounding areas. Contact us online today or call us at 803-790-2800 (Columbia, SC) / 843-427-2800 (Myrtle Beach, SC).

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Resources:

  1. https://stridewell.com/managing-pain/shoulder-injury-from-a-car-accident/ 
  2. https://aica.com/we-treat/injuries/car-accident/shoulder-pain-after-car-accident/ 
  3. https://swannmedical.com/chiropractor-after-a-car-accident/ 
Kenneth Berger
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Columbia and Myrtle Beach car accident and personal injury lawyer dedicated to securing justice for clients.