Shoulder Injuries in Car Accidents

Car accidents can cause numerous injuries, but some are more common than others. For example, many people involved in car accidents sustain shoulder injuries. Although shoulder injuries may not be life-threatening, they can nonetheless cause significant pain and financial harm. If you sustained a shoulder injury in a car accident, you may be able to pursue claims for your damages from the party that caused the crash. The zealous Cape Cod car accident lawyers of the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, have more than one hundred and fifty years of collective experience helping parties who have suffered harm due to the negligence of others seek compensation. We are well versed in what it takes to present a winning case and will work diligently to help you assert your legal rights. Our skillful representation has allowed us to recoup several multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients.

Generally, shoulder injuries sustained in car accidents occur when the impact of a collision causes a person's shoulder to strike part of the interior of the car. Shoulder injuries caused by car accidents include fractures and dislocation. Rotator cuff injuries, such as tears and tendinitis, are common as well. Additionally, people involved in car accidents can suffer a SLAP tear, which is a tear of the tendon that attaches the bicep muscle to cartilage. A person who suffers a shoulder injury may downplay the severity of his or her symptoms and delay seeking medical treatment. Signs that indicate that medical treatment is necessary include pain, tenderness, reduced range of motion, numbness, and tingling.

If you suffered a shoulder injury due to a car accident, you may be able to recover damages from the party that caused the accident. Generally, people seeking damages for bodily injuries sustained in a car accident will file a lawsuit asserting a negligence claim against the driver that caused the collision. In Massachusetts, a plaintiff alleging a defendant acted negligently must show that the defendant had a duty to act with the care a reasonable person would demonstrate in a similar situation, but the defendant breached the duty. In cases arising out of car accidents, the breach is typically caused by careless or reckless driving. The plaintiff must then establish that the breach caused the accident and that the accident caused the plaintiff to suffer measurable harm. Although the breach does not have to be the sole cause of the harm alleged, it must be a substantial factor in bringing about the harm, and the plaintiff must establish that he or she would not have been injured absent the breach.

In many cases, a defendant will argue that the accident did not cause the plaintiff’s alleged harm. As such, many plaintiffs have to hire accident reconstructionists to investigate the accident and offer testimony regarding how the accident occurred and what type of injuries the force produced by the accident typically cause. The plaintiff may also need to engage a medical expert to testify regarding the severity and permanency of the plaintiff’s injuries. A seasoned car accident lawyer can help you identify and work with experts qualified to testify in your case.

If a plaintiff proves a defendant’s liability, the plaintiff may be awarded compensation for any economic harm caused by the accident. In other words, the plaintiff may be able to recover the cost of any medical treatment needed for his or her injuries, as well as damages for lost wages. The plaintiff may also be able to recover damages for noneconomic harm, such as the pain and suffering caused by the accident. If the plaintiff was married when the accident happened, the plaintiff’s spouse may also be able to recover damages.

Shoulder injuries can cause significant pain and limit your mobility and capacity to earn an income. If you sustained a shoulder injury in a car accident, it is advisable to speak with a knowledgeable attorney regarding your options for pursuing damages. At the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, we are adept at helping injured parties pursue compensation for their harm. Our zealous advocacy has enabled us to uphold a record of successful verdicts and settlements, with many verdicts and settlements in the millions. We represent parties in personal injury matters in Cape Cod, and we are able to meet for consultations in Hyannis and Plymouth as well. We can be reached at 888-262-6664 or through the online form to set up a consultation. Nós Falamos Português.