'The sudden jolt of a collision sends shockwaves through your body as your seatbelt locks into place. While this lifesaving device prevents you from being ejected from your vehicle, the force of the restraint can cause serious shoulder injuries that impact your ability to work, drive, and handle daily tasks.
At Kode Law, Seattle personal injury lawyer Preet Kode helps accident victims understand their rights after suffering seatbelt-related shoulder injuries. If another driver's negligence has left you dealing with ongoing medical issues, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses.
How Seatbelts Can Cause Shoulder Injuries in a Crash
When a car accident occurs, your body continues moving forward while the seatbelt keeps you secured in place. This opposing force can cause the shoulder to experience trauma in several ways:
- The shoulder joint may become dislocated as the body is thrust forward and then rapidly restrained. The resulting damage to the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments can require extensive rehabilitation. Surgery may be needed to repair torn ligaments or restore joint stability.
- The collarbone may fracture from the pressure of the restraint. Since the clavicle helps support arm movement, this injury often results in significant pain and limited range of motion. A broken collarbone typically takes 6-8 weeks to heal, and some patients require surgical intervention if the bones are severely displaced.
- The rotator cuff muscles and tendons can experience tears or strains that make it difficult to lift or rotate your arm. Without proper treatment, these soft tissue injuries may lead to chronic shoulder problems. Physical therapy is often required to restore strength and mobility after a rotator cuff injury.
- The labrum, a ring of cartilage that helps keep the shoulder joint stable, may tear from the impact. This can cause the shoulder to feel loose or unstable. Labral tears frequently require arthroscopic surgery to repair the damaged tissue.
Common Symptoms of Seatbelt-Related Shoulder Injuries
Recognizing the signs of a serious shoulder injury helps ensure you receive appropriate medical care after an accident. Key symptoms to watch for include:
- Sharp pain when trying to move your arm or shoulder, especially when reaching overhead or behind your back. This type of pain often indicates damage to the rotator cuff. The pain may worsen at night and make it difficult to sleep.
- Visible bruising and swelling around the shoulder area where the seatbelt made contact. While some bruising is normal, extensive discoloration may signal a more severe injury.
- A visible deformity or abnormal positioning of the shoulder joint. This typically occurs with dislocations and should be evaluated by a medical professional immediately. Never attempt to "pop" the shoulder back into place yourself, as this could cause additional damage.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating down the arm. These symptoms can indicate nerve compression or damage that requires prompt treatment. Without proper care, nerve injuries can lead to permanent impairment.
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sensations when moving the shoulder. These sounds may indicate torn cartilage or other structural damage within the joint.
Why It’s Important to Get Proper Medical Care for Your Shoulder Injury
Seeking immediate medical attention after a car accident is crucial for both your health and any future legal claims. Your doctor can:
- Document the full extent of your injuries through physical examination and diagnostic imaging. This creates an important record linking your shoulder problems to the crash. X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans help identify specific types of damage.
- Develop an appropriate treatment plan that may include medication, physical therapy, or surgery. Following medical recommendations demonstrates you are taking your recovery seriously. Your treatment plan may need to be adjusted over time based on how well you respond to initial interventions.
- Provide expert testimony about your injuries and expected long-term impact. Medical evidence helps prove the serious nature of your damages when negotiating with insurance companies. Your doctor can explain how your injuries affect your ability to work and perform daily activities.
- Monitor your recovery progress and adjust treatment as needed. Regular medical visits show ongoing problems stemming from the accident. Keep detailed records of all appointments, treatments, and medication costs.
- Refer you to appropriate specialists. You may require care from an orthopedic surgeon, physical therapist, or pain management specialist. Working with medical experts ensures you receive comprehensive treatment.
How Our Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help With Your Claim
Building a successful personal injury case after suffering a seatbelt-related shoulder injury requires a thorough understanding of Washington State law. Working with Preet Kode and the team at Kode Law can help by:
- Establishing causation between the crash and your injuries. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by claiming shoulder problems existed before the accident. We provide medical records from before and after the collision to help demonstrate how the crash created new injuries or worsened preexisting conditions.
- Documenting the full scope of your damages. Beyond immediate medical bills, shoulder injuries can lead to ongoing expenses for physical therapy, pain management, and mobility aids. We can help calculate these costs and include them in your demand for compensation.
- Countering attempts to shift liability. Washington follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident. We can gather evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and accident reconstruction data to prove the other driver's responsibility.
- Preparing your case for trial. While most personal injury claims settle out of court, insurance companies sometimes refuse to offer fair compensation. If necessary, we’re prepared to go to trial to fight for your best interests.
Refer to our case results and client testimonials to learn how Kode Law has helped people like you move forward after they've been hurt due to the negligence of others.
