An often overlooked type of injury that can arise from being in a car accident is a shoulder injury. Shoulder injuries and pain can negatively impact a person’s life in a big way, making working or completing day-to-day tasks difficult. When this is the case, it is important to seek compensation to help with the costs incurred due to the accident.
Speaking with an experienced Austin car accident shoulder injury lawyer near you can provide helpful counsel and direction about how to proceed. Shoulder injuries can be complex, often requiring surgery and causing pain months or even years down the road. When looking for a shoulder injury car accident settlement, it is important to hire a lawyer who understands how these types of cases work. Contact the team at Sandoval & James, highly skilled shoulder injury attorneys here in Austin, TX. We will work tirelessly to help you get the compensation you need. For more information from a shoulder injury lawyer near you, email Sandoval & James or call (512) 382-7707 to book a free consultation.
How Do Shoulder Injuries Typically Occur in Car Accidents?
Even though seat belts can help mitigate the possibility of sustaining a shoulder injury during a car accident, they don’t remove the risk altogether. The forceful impact of a car crash can lead to shoulder pain and injuries due to various reasons, including:
- Seat Belt Strain: During a collision, the force of the impact can cause the seat belt to restrain the occupant’s body suddenly. This abrupt stop can put immense pressure on the shoulder, leading to strains, sprains, or even more severe injuries.
- Direct Impact: In some accidents, the shoulder can sustain injuries through direct impact. For example, if the shoulder collides with the side of the vehicle’s interior during a crash, it can lead to bruises, contusions, tears or more severe damage.
- Steering Wheel Impact: In frontal collisions, the driver’s shoulder may absorb the impact of the steering wheel, resulting in injuries like fractures, dislocations, or soft tissue damage.
- Airbag Deployment: While airbags are designed to protect the passengers of a vehicle, the force of airbag deployment can also cause shoulder injuries, particularly if the airbag strikes the shoulder forcefully.
- Secondary Injuries: In multi-vehicle accidents or rollovers, secondary impacts can occur as the vehicle shifts and occupants move within the car. These secondary impacts can lead to shoulder injuries due to sudden movements or contact with other objects inside the vehicle.
- Whiplash: We have had people ask us, can whiplash also affect shoulders? Although commonly associated with neck injuries, the whiplash effect in car accidents can also affect the shoulders. When the head and neck snap back and forth rapidly, it can strain the muscles and ligaments in the shoulder area.
Did you know that over 18,000 people in Texas sustained serious injuries in car accidents in 2022 according to the Texas Department of Transportation (PDF)?
Car Accident Shoulder Injury Settlement Examples in Texas
Shoulder injuries can range from relatively minor to severe, impacting medical expenses, lost wages, and overall quality of life. Settlement amounts for car accident shoulder injuries depend on various factors, including the extent of the injury and the circumstances of the accident. In Austin, Texas, the highly skilled lawyers at Sandoval & James, have successfully obtained significant settlements for clients who are dealing with shoulder pain after a car accident. Although it can be difficult to state an average payout for shoulder injury car accidents according to the cases on this page, neck injury settlement amounts range anywhere from $600,000-$1,400,000. Settlements depend greatly on the unique circumstances of each case, which is why there is no accurate average settlement amount for shoulder injuries in Texas.
$1,400,000
Commercial Vehicle Car Accident Shoulder Injury Settlement
Our client sustained shoulder, back, and neck injuries in a motor vehicle. The defendant was driving a commercial vehicle and failed to maintain an assured clear distance from our client, which resulted in a rear-end collision and caused our client’s vehicle to be pushed into another vehicle. The client underwent multiple surgeries as a result of the accident. Sandoval & James successfully resolved the case after litigation was initiated but without trial.
$1,100,000
Commercial Vehicle Car Accident Shoulder Injury Settlement
Our client sustained head, neck, back, and shoulder injuries in a motor vehicle accident. The defendant was driving a commercial vehicle. The defendant failed to yield the right of way when exiting a private drive. Multiple surgeries were alleged by our client as a result of the accident. Sandoval & James successfully resolved the case for a substantial amount.
$600,000
Commercial Vehicle Car Accident Shoulder Injury Settlement
Our clients sustained neck, back, and shoulder injuries in a motor vehicle accident. The defendant was driving a commercial vehicle. The defendant failed to stop at a red light and struck our client’s vehicle. Surgery alleged by the client as a result of the accident. Sandoval & James successfully resolved the case for a substantial amount.
Types of Shoulder Injuries
Car accidents can lead to various shoulder injuries, including:
- Rotator Cuff Injuries: These injuries often involve tears in the tendons and muscles of the rotator cuff, leading to pain, weakness, and limited range of motion. Rotator cuff tear car accident settlements are among some of the most common when it comes to shoulder injuries.
- Shoulder Impingement Injuries: When the tendon inside the shoulder rubs or catches on nearby tissue, it can create shoulder impingement, causing pain when the arm is lifted. This type of injury typically affects the rotator cuff tendon. Shoulder impingement car accident settlements can help to cover the cost of medical treatment and rehabilitation to reestablish range of motion.
- SLAP Tear Injuries: SLAP (Superior Labrum, Anterior to Posterior) tears occur when the cartilage in the inner part of the shoulder joint is torn. This type of injury can be quite painful and lead to difficulty moving the shoulder and arm. Left untreated, these tears can cause chronic pain, which is why SLAP tear settlements after a car accident are crucial to make sure you get the compensation you need as soon as possible after the accident.
- Fractured Collarbone (Clavicle): A broken collarbone can be painful and require immobilization or surgery, depending on the severity of the fracture.
- Shoulder Dislocations: Dislocated shoulders can cause intense pain and may require manual reduction and rehabilitation.
- Shoulder Sprains and Strains: Sprains and strains can affect the ligaments and muscles in the shoulder, resulting in pain and limited mobility.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Bruising, contusions, and damage to soft tissues around the shoulder can cause discomfort and require medical attention.
- Nerve Damage: Severe accidents can damage nerves in the shoulder, leading to numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm.
Dealing With Labral Tear Injuries After A Car Accident in Texas
Labral tears are another type of shoulder injury that can result from car accidents. The labrum is a piece of cartilage that lines the rim of the shoulder socket, helping to stabilize the joint. In a car accident, the forceful impact can cause the labrum to tear. Labral tears can be extremely painful and may require surgical intervention to repair. The recovery process can be lengthy, with extensive physical therapy needed to regain full shoulder function. Settlement amounts for labral tear injuries can vary widely depending on the severity of the tear, the necessity of surgery, and the long-term impact on the victim’s life.
Contact an Austin, Texas Car Accident Shoulder Injury Lawyer Near You
If you are dealing with continued shoulder pain after a car accident and seeking compensation, it’s essential to consult with an experienced car accident shoulder injury lawyer in Austin, Texas. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights, navigate the complex process of seeking compensation, negotiate with insurance companies, and work diligently to secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To learn more about shoulder injury settlements and legal representation in Austin, TX, reach out to the team at Sandoval & James by email or call (512) 382-7707 to schedule a free case consultation.
And see our neck injury settlements page for more of our recent case examples.
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