Shoulder pain after a car crash might seem like minor muscle soreness at first. However, what feels like a simple ache today could actually be a serious injury that needs immediate medical attention. Many South Bend drivers don’t realize that shoulder injuries that happen in a collision can cause serious injuries that can reduce mobility and cause extreme pain.
At Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak, we understand how overwhelming the days after a car crash can be. Our knowledgeable South Bend car accident attorneys have helped countless drivers secure compensation for injuries caused by negligent drivers.
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain after a car crash, don’t wait to seek legal help. Insurance companies often try to minimize what they pay on injury claims, hoping victims who don’t know their legal rights will accept less than they deserve.
Call (574) 444-0741 for a free case evaluation today.
What Kinds of Shoulder Injuries Are Common in Car Crashes?
Car crashes put tremendous force on your body in seconds. Your shoulder takes a lot of this impact, especially during side-impact collisions or in any type of crash when your seatbelt locks across your chest. These are some of the most common shoulder injuries to watch for after being involved in a collision.
Rotator Cuff Tears
A rotator cuff tear happens when the tendons connecting your shoulder muscles to your arm bone rip or fray during the impact. Rear-end collisions and T-bone accidents cause this injury due to awkward or violent motion to your body during the impact.
Symptoms may include sharp pain when lifting your arm, weakness in your shoulder, or a popping sensation during movement. Treatment ranges from physical therapy, rest, and anti-inflammatory medication to surgical repair for severe tears.
Shoulder Dislocations
A shoulder dislocation is when the upper arm bone pops out of the socket. This can happen during high-speed crashes, especially in rollover accidents, as your body twists violently during this type of impact.
Symptoms include visible deformity, intense pain, swelling, and not being able to move your arm. Doctors can address this immediately, manipulating your bone back into place. But you may also need immobilization, physical therapy, or surgery to prevent future dislocations.
Fractured Shoulder Bones
Shoulder fractures involve breaks in your collarbone, shoulder blade, or upper arm bone. Head-on collisions and accidents are more likely to fracture your shoulder, especially it hits against a door, window, or other hard object during the impact.
You can expect severe pain, bruising, swelling, and grinding sensations when you try to move. Treatment includes immobilization with a sling, pain management, and sometimes surgical insertion of plates or screws.
Labral Tears
The labrum is cartilage that surrounds your shoulder socket and keeps your arm bone in place. Side-impact crashes and accidents involving sudden braking can tear this tissue.
Symptoms include deep shoulder pain, catching or locking sensations, decreased range of motion, and shoulder instability. Treatment options include rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and arthroscopic surgery for significant tears.
Soft Tissue Injuries and Strains
Soft tissue damage affects the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding your shoulder. Any type of car crash can cause these injuries when your seatbelt restrains you or you brace against the steering wheel.
You may notice pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited mobility that develops hours or days after the accident. Treatment typically involves rest, ice, compression, physical therapy, and pain relievers.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Impingement occurs when tendons in your shoulder become pinched between other bones when moving. The forceful impact from rear-end or side-impact collisions can trigger this condition.
Symptoms include pain when raising your arm overhead, weakness, and difficulty reaching behind your back. Treatment includes physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes surgery to create more space for the tendons.
Do I Need to Seek Medical Care for Shoulder Pain After a Car Crash?
Yes, you should always seek medical care for shoulder pain after a car crash, even if the pain seems mild. Adrenaline and shock can mask serious injuries in the hours following an accident. What feels like minor soreness today could be something more serious – like a torn rotator cuff or fracture – that worsens without immediate treatment.
Waiting to seek medical care after a car crash can cause your injury to worsen, which could result in permanent damage, chronic pain, and reduced mobility. Early diagnosis of an injury means quicker treatment and often the best chance for a full recovery.
Seeking immediate medical attention also protects your legal rights. Waiting to go to the ER gives insurance companies room to argue that your injury either wasn’t as bad as you claim or that it wasn’t caused by the crash. They use gaps in treatment as a reason to reduce or deny your compensation. When you see a doctor right away, your visit is documented in your medical records. This documentation creates a clear link between your shoulder injury and the accident that caused it.
At Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak, we use this documentation as key evidence to build a strong case for our clients, fight for the full and fair compensation they deserve. Don’t give insurance adjusters ammunition to undervalue your claim.
What Symptoms May Mean a More Serious Shoulder Injury?
Some shoulder pain after a crash signals damage that needs immediate medical evaluation. If you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident in South Bend, seek medical care right away:
- Severe or Increasing Pain: Pain that gets worse instead of better over time.
- Inability to Move Your Arm: You cannot lift or move your arm without extreme pain.
- Visible Deformity: Your shoulder looks misshapen or sits at an odd angle.
- Numbness or Tingling: Loss of sensation in your shoulder, arm, or hand.
- Swelling and Bruising: Significant discoloration or swelling around your shoulder.
- Popping or Grinding Sounds: Clicking or grinding when you move your shoulder.
- Weakness in Your Arm: Difficulty gripping objects or performing simple tasks.
- Radiating Pain: Shoulder pain that spreads down your arm or up your neck.
- Shoulder Instability: Your shoulder feels loose or like it might slip out of place.
Evidence You Need to Link Your Shoulder Injury to Your Indiana Car Crash
Proving your shoulder injury resulted from a car crash requires solid documentation. Insurance companies will look for any reason to deny your claim or reduce your settlement. Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak helps South Bend clients gather and preserve critical evidence that connects their shoulder injuries directly to the accident. The stronger your evidence, the better your chances of receiving fair compensation.
- Police Accident Report: Official crash documentation noting vehicle damage and your initial shoulder injury complaints.
- Emergency Room Records: Medical documentation from immediately after the crash showing shoulder pain and diagnosis.
- Diagnostic Imaging: X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans revealing fractures, tears, or damage in your shoulder.
- Doctor’s Causation Statement: Medical opinion linking your shoulder injury to the car crash forces.
- Vehicle Damage Photos: Images showing impact location that corresponds with your shoulder injury.
- Witness Statements: Accounts describing the crash impact that injured your shoulder.
- Continuous Treatment Records: Ongoing medical documentation without gaps in shoulder care.
- Work Absence Records: Employment documentation proving missed work due to shoulder injury.
Complications That May Arise From an Untreated Shoulder Injury After a Car Crash
Ignoring shoulder pain after a car crash can lead to serious long-term problems. What starts as manageable discomfort can become a debilitating condition that affects every aspect of your life. South Bend drivers who skip medical treatment or fail to follow their doctor’s recommendations often face complications that could have been prevented. Understanding these risks shows why immediate and consistent medical care matters for your health and your future.
- Chronic Pain Syndrome: Untreated shoulder injuries can develop into persistent pain that lasts months or years after your crash.
- Frozen Shoulder: Lack of proper treatment and physical therapy can cause severe stiffness and loss of shoulder movement.
- Permanent Range of Motion Loss: Delayed treatment may result in inability to fully raise your arm or perform overhead activities.
- Post-Traumatic Arthritis: Untreated fractures and cartilage damage can lead to degenerative joint disease in your shoulder.
- Muscle Atrophy: Avoiding shoulder use due to pain causes muscles to weaken and shrink over time.
- Nerve Damage: Untreated shoulder injuries can compress or damage nerves, causing permanent numbness or weakness in your arm.
- Recurring Dislocations: A shoulder that dislocates once becomes more prone to future dislocations without proper treatment.
- Complete Rotator Cuff Failure: Partial tears that go untreated can progress to complete tears requiring major surgery.
- Loss of Shoulder Stability: Untreated ligament and labral tears can cause your shoulder joint to become permanently unstable.
- Decreased Daily Function: Progressive shoulder damage may prevent you from driving, dressing yourself, or performing basic tasks.
Need Legal Help After a Car Crash in South Bend? Contact Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak
Contacting Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak early protects your shoulder injury claim from the start. Insurance adjusters often reach out within days, hoping to record statements or offer quick settlements before you know the full extent of your injuries. Shoulder damage doesn’t always appear immediately, and accepting an early offer may leave you without compensation for surgery or ongoing treatment.
In Indiana, like other states, you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim after a car crash. But putting off calling an attorney until the last minute causes you to lose critical evidence – like surveillance footage, witness memories, and proper documentation of your shoulder injury. In some cases, it can cause you to lose the opportunity to recover any compensation.
At Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak, we are prepared to start protecting your claim right away. We have the staff and resources to thoroughly investigate your accident, take legal steps to preserve evidence, and fight for the full compensation you need and deserve. There are no upfront costs or fees to pay when we represent you. We only get paid if you do.
Call (574) 444-0741 now for your free case review.
