Shoulder Pain After a Maryland Car Crash: What You Need to Know

Shoulder trauma represents one of the most debilitating yet frequently overlooked consequences of vehicle collisions on Maryland roadways.

The Law Offices of Peter T Nicholl understands the complex nature of car crash injuries, including those that cause severe shoulder pain. Many injuries resulting from a collision may leave crash victims dealing with long-term effects, like reduced mobility and chronic pain. Our experienced car crash lawyers in Maryland are dedicated to helping you receive the medical care you need and the compensation you deserve.

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What Are the Most Common Shoulder Injuries After a Maryland Car Crash?

The intense force of a car crash can cause vehicle occupants to slam into the car door, steering wheel or other object within the cabin of the vehicle. Some shoulder injuries, like sprain and strains, can be the result of twisting awkwardly during the impact.

Shoulders are complex, made up of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and any of these areas are vulnerable to sustaining damage in the impact of a collision.

These are the types of shoulder injuries frequently seen following a car crash:

Rotator Cuff Tears

Damage to the muscles and tendons that connect your arm to your shoulder. This injury can limit movement and cause persistent pain.

Shoulder Fractures

Breaks to the shoulder area can occur in multiple places, such as the clavicle, scapula, or humerus bones that form the shoulder joint.

AC Joint Separations

Seat belts can sometimes cause trauma where the collarbone detaches from the shoulder blade.

Dislocated Shoulders

Dislocation injuries are extremely painful, essentially separating the upper arm bone from the shoulder socket. This type of shoulder injury requires immediate medical care.

Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) Tears

Occurs when the force of a crash damages the labrum – the ring of cartilage that surrounds your shoulder socket and ensures stability. The sudden deceleration and impact can cause the driver’s arm to get forcefully pushed either upward or forward while they are braking or gripping the steering wheel.

Symptoms of a SLAP tear may include:

• Deep shoulder pain, especially when trying to move your shoulder
• Clicking, popping or “catching” sensations
• Loss of shoulder strength
• Pain when attempting to lift objects
• Feeling like your shoulder is unstable

Shoulder Impingement

If the collision causes the tendons in your rotator cuff to become compressed or pinched, they may become inflamed and swollen, causing limited mobility.

You might have shoulder impingement if you experience:

• Pain when trying to raise your arm over your head or to the side
• Weakness when you try to lift your arm or reach for something
• A “catching” sensation when lowering your arm
• Pain that is worse at night, especially when you are lying on the affected shoulder

If you have these symptoms, you should seek medical care right away. Shoulder impingement could lead to rotator cuff tears. The ongoing compression will continue to damage your tendons until you receive treatment.

Labral Tears

The labrum in your shoulder is essentially a ring of firm fibrocartilage tissue. This ring surrounds the socket of your shoulder joint (called the glenoid) and serves several critical functions:

• Deepens the shoulder socket to improve stability
• Creates a suction seal that helps keep the ball of the humerus (upper arm bone) centered in the shoulder socket
• Provides an attachment point for several ligaments, as well as the biceps tendon

Does Shoulder Pain Appear Right Away or Could it Be Delayed for Days After a Car Crash?

Shoulder pain from a car crash does not always appear right away. In fact, it can often take days or even weeks to develop fully. This delayed onset is actually quite common and happens for several reasons:

Adrenaline Acts as a Temporary Painkiller

Immediately after a collision, your body produces adrenaline and endorphins that can mask pain. These stress hormones act as natural painkillers, potentially hiding symptoms for hours or even a day or two after the collision.

Inflammation Takes Hours to Days to Fully Develop

Inflammation is a gradual process. The trauma from a car crash triggers the inflammatory response in injured tissues, but this inflammation builds up progressively over 24-72 hours, with pain increasing as swelling develops.

Micro Tears Seem Minor – Continued Movement Makes Them More Painful

Micro-tears in muscles, tendons, and ligaments may not cause immediate symptoms but become more painful as you continue to use your shoulder in daily activities after the collision.

Some injuries, like rotator cuff tears or labral injuries, might start as minor damage that worsens over time with continued shoulder movement, causing delayed symptom onset.

This delayed pain phenomenon explains why many crash victims might refuse medical attention at the scene, only to experience significant shoulder pain days later. This delay can complicate both medical treatment and the insurance claims process, as the connection between the crash and injury may be questioned.

We recommend seeking a full medical evaluation after any significant motor vehicle crash, even if you do not see a visible wound or feel immediate pain. ER doctors can request diagnostic tests to look for internal injuries, including any damage sustained to your shoulder.

Your ER visit will be recorded in your medical records, helping to link your injuries to the crash that caused them. More importantly, early treatment of a shoulder injury typically means a shorter, optimal recovery.

How Are Car Crash Shoulder Injuries Diagnosed?

When you visit the ER, it is important to let the treating physician know that you were in a car crash, including whether any part of your body struck something – or was hit by something – during the impact.

ER Physicians know how to identify shoulder injuries resulting from a car crash, but how you communicate with the doctor plays a vital role in helping you get the treatment you need more quickly. This is not a time to downplay what happened.

After explaining you were in a collision, the doctor will likely examine you, take your medical history and order diagnostic testing to reveal any internal damage you might have sustained in your Maryland car crash. Physical Examination: Assessment of range of motion, strength, and specific movements that trigger pain

• X-rays: Initial imaging that reveals bone fractures, dislocations, and joint abnormalities
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Detailed views of soft tissues including rotator cuff tears, labral damage, and inflammation
• CT scan: Three-dimensional imaging that provides clear visualization of complex fractures
• Ultrasound: Real-time imaging that can show tendon tears and inflammation while the shoulder moves
• Arthrogram: Contrast dye injection that highlights subtle tears in the labrum or rotator cuff not visible on standard imaging
• Diagnostic Arthroscopy: Minimally invasive surgical procedure allowing direct visualization of shoulder structures in complex cases

What Treatment Options Work Best for Crash-Related Shoulder Pain?

Doctors are likely to try the most conservative treatment first. However, if diagnostic testing reveals a severe injury, you may need a more invasive approach, like surgery.

For shoulder injuries that are milder and do not require surgery, physicians are likely to start you off with rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy.

Severe injuries, however, like rotator cuff tears, unstable dislocations, or complex fractures, often require surgical intervention. Your doctor will develop a personalized treatment plan to help return you to your pre-crash condition while minimizing the risk of long-term complications.

Can Shoulder Injuries Lead to Permanent Damage if Left Untreated?

Yes, shoulder injuries that are left untreated can cause a lot of problems for victims, including chronic pain and reduced mobility.

Torn rotator cuffs develop scar tissue, which will restrict movement. Even untreated dislocations become problematic, leading to chronic instability and repeated dislocations. Cartilage injuries worsen over time as damaged surfaces continue to rub against each other, causing arthritis to develop in the area much earlier. Without proper medical intervention, the shoulder joint will continue to lose functionality and strength. Once the window for effective treatment closes, victims face a lifelong and painful disability that could have been prevented with timely care.

When Should You See a Doctor for Post-Crash Shoulder Pain?

If you experience any shoulder pain following a Maryland car crash, you should seek immediate medical attention, even if symptoms initially seem minor.

Warning signs you may have a more serious shoulder injury include the following:

• Inability to raise your arm
• Visible deformity
• Intense pain
• Swelling and inflammation
• Numbness or tingling down your arm
• Pain that worsens over the first few days after the crash

Remember that some serious shoulder injuries develop symptoms gradually. A prompt medical evaluation creates proper documentation for your case while also preventing permanent complications that occur with delayed treatment.

Documenting Your Shoulder Injury for Maximum Compensation

Maintain a detailed pain journal documenting how your shoulder injury affects daily activities, sleep patterns, and your ability to work. Note specific limitations such as your inability to lift objects, drive comfortably, or perform routine tasks that were previously effortless.

Preserve all evidence from the crash scene including photographs, police reports, and witness statements. This documentation creates a clear timeline establishing the collision as the direct cause of your shoulder injury,

Contact Our Maryland Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Help Today

If you are experiencing shoulder pain after a Maryland car crash, do not wait until your condition worsens or the insurance denies your claim.

At The Law Offices of Peter T Nicholl, we are available to discuss your situation during a free consultation. Get answers to your questions and discuss your situation with one of our highly qualified injury lawyers. We protect your legal rights and fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve for your shoulder injury. You pay us nothing unless we win your case. Take the first step toward recovery and justice today by calling our law offices or completing our online evaluation form.

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