Shoulder pain is a common occurrence after car accidents. While shoulder pain can be a sign of only a minor injury, such as muscle strain, it can also signify more severe injuries connected to your neck and back.
Unfortunately, because shoulder pain and the injuries connected to it are not always immediately apparent, victims may dismiss the pain and forgo seeking treatment. Though some minor injuries can heal on their own, avoiding medical attention is never wise as it could harm your health and negatively impact your car accident case should you decide to file a claim or even a lawsuit.
Evidence of injuries is crucial in proving fault and winning your case. So if you delay medical treatment, it could result in a lack of sufficient evidence needed to ensure you get the settlement you deserve.
In addition to providing medical evidence, it is also important to work with an experienced attorney. Even if you have evidence, it is still common for insurers to find ways to deny claims or reduce settlement amounts. With the help of a Kentucky car accident attorney, however, you will have professional representation that ensures your rights are protected, and you will be more likely to get a higher settlement.
Common Shoulder Injuries That Result From Car Accidents
While shoulder pain can mean there was damage sustained directly to the shoulder, it can also be a sign of other injuries in other parts of the body. This is because the soft tissues and bones throughout our bodies are connected, so when one part gets damaged, it can result in pain that spreads to another area. Injuries to the neck and back, for example, can commonly result in shoulder pain.
So it’s important not to simply dismiss a little shoulder pain as something minor. Always get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. Even if the pain is mild initially, it could spread and worsen over time, especially if it results from a more severe injury.
Common injuries that can result in shoulder pain include:
- Soft tissue damage in the neck, back, or shoulder
- Whiplash
- Rotator cuff tear
- Shoulder dislocation
- Shoulder impingement
- Clavicle fracture
- Scapula fracture
- Humerus fracture
Signs and Symptoms of Shoulder Injuries
It’s important to understand the signs and symptoms of injuries that can cause some of the injuries above, so you know when to seek treatment. Remember, however, not all symptoms are immediately apparent, and waiting to look to seek treatment can harm your health and your accident case. So when in doubt, always go to the doctor right away, even if you aren’t yet experiencing any significant symptoms.
Common symptoms from the injuries listed above can include:
- Pain in the shoulder, neck, or upper back
- Stiffness and limited mobility in the shoulder, neck, or upper back
- Numbness or tingling in the arms and extremities
- Swelling and inflammation
- Bruising
- Joint pain
- Muscle spasms
- Bump or bulge in the shoulder area
- Popping or cracking sounds when moving your arm and shoulder
- Weakness in the affected area
Shoulder Injury Treatments After a Car Accident
Treatment for a shoulder injury or injury to another nearby area will depend on the extent of the injury and what area was specifically damaged or affected. While minor injuries might only require rest, ice, and pain meds, more severe injuries could require surgery, injections, rehab, and physical therapy.
The cost for such treatments can get quite expensive—hundreds and thousands of dollars—especially if you don’t have good healthcare coverage. And even with healthcare, medical treatments for shoulder pain can still be expensive and even require long-term treatments and therapy.
This is why it is crucial to seek immediate treatment and work with an attorney. You will need to do these things to ensure you have all the support and evidence you need to get the needed compensation to cover your medical expenses and other potential damages.
Recovering Compensation for Shoulder Pain and Injuries After a Car Accident
Kentucky is a no-fault state, which means if you file a claim, you will initially have your medical bills covered by your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. However, as medical treatments for shoulder injuries can get quite expensive, the money you receive from your no-fault insurance benefits might not be enough. In this case, you would need to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for additional compensation.
Filing a lawsuit, however, can be even more challenging than simply filing a personal injury claim. Lawsuits are not taken lightly, and money is not easily awarded without sufficient evidence. So you will need to work with an attorney who can help you navigate your case and offer you guidance to ensure the best possible outcome.
Trust McCoy & Sparks—Premier Personal Injury Attorneys in Central Kentucky
If you are suffering from shoulder pain after an accident, do not hesitate to seek medical attention and reach out to an attorney for help. Whether the injury is minor or severe, you deserve to be adequately compensated for your medical bills, pain & suffering, and any other damages.
Recognized as one of Central Kentucky’s best law firms for over a decade and counting, McCoy & Sparks works to help injured victims, representing thousands of clients in Central Kentucky with a focus on providing premium service and delivering superior results. Our goal is to develop a strategy that best serves your personal needs by drawing upon our courtroom skills to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Make the right call to (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our attorneys today.