Your day came to an abrupt halt when another driver slammed into your car from behind. At first, you felt relieved that you could walk away from the crash. But days later, a deep, persistent ache developed in your shoulder. Simple movements like reaching overhead or putting on a jacket now send shooting pain through your arm.
If you're experiencing shoulder pain after a rear-end collision in Seattle, you may have developed shoulder impingement syndrome—a common but often overlooked injury that can severely impact your daily life. As an experienced Seattle personal injury lawyer, Preet Kode understands how this condition can affect your ability to work, care for your family, and enjoy your normal activities—and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Shoulder Impingement Syndrome After Rear-End Collisions
The violent force of a rear-end car accident can cause your shoulder muscles and tendons to become compressed or "impinged" between bones. When this happens, they become inflamed and swollen, leading to pain and restricted movement.
Many accident victims initially focus on neck pain and stiffness after a crash, not realizing their shoulder pain stems from a separate shoulder injury that requires its own treatment. Without proper medical care, shoulder impingement can worsen over time and potentially lead to frozen shoulder or rotator cuff tears.
Common Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Understanding the warning signs of shoulder impingement helps you recognize when to seek medical attention and how to document your injury for insurance purposes.
- Difficulty raising your arm above shoulder height or reaching behind your back. This occurs because the inflamed tendons have less space to move within the shoulder joint. When you try to lift your arm, the swollen tissues compress against bone, causing immediate pain and restricted movement.
- Pain that gradually intensifies throughout the day. Activities like reaching for objects on high shelves, putting on a coat, or brushing your hair become increasingly difficult as inflammation builds up in the joint throughout the day.
- Nighttime discomfort and sleep disruption. When you lie on the affected shoulder, the pressure increases inflammation and pain. Many people find themselves waking up multiple times to change positions or struggle to find a comfortable sleeping position at all. This ongoing sleep disturbance can lead to fatigue and difficulty concentrating during the day.
- Muscle weakness. As shoulder impingement progresses, you may notice decreased strength in the affected arm. Your body automatically limits muscle engagement to avoid pain, leading to gradual muscle deterioration if your shoulder injury is left untreated.
- Radiating pain. While the primary pain should center in your shoulder, some accident victims experience discomfort that radiates down their arm or into their neck. This radiating pain happens when the compressed tendons and surrounding inflammation affect nearby nerves. The sensation may feel like a burning, tingling, or shooting pain that extends beyond the shoulder joint.
Why You Need a Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Claim
Insurance adjusters frequently try to minimize shoulder impingement syndrome claims by arguing that the condition is due to age-related wear and tear rather than trauma from the accident. They may offer a quick settlement that fails to account for ongoing medical treatment, lost wages, and other damages.
At Kode Law, we know how to gather and present evidence that establishes the link between the accident and your shoulder injury. This includes:
- Medical records showing the onset and progression of symptoms
- Expert testimony from healthcare providers about the cause of your injury
- Documentation of your pre-accident health and activity level
- Evidence of the crash impact and forces involved
- Proof of how the injury affects your ability to work and perform daily tasks
Seattle personal injury lawyer Preet Kode will also calculate the full value of your claim, including future medical expenses and long-term impacts on your earning capacity, to ensure you receive fair compensation for all accident-related losses. Washington State’s statute of limitations generally gives you three years to file your claim, but you are advised to contact our office as soon as possible to start building your case. Evidence can become more difficult to locate as time passes, which could put your compensation at risk.
