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Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Shoulder Pain after a Car Accident

June 19, 2022
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Many people assume it is normal to feel stiffness or soreness following a car accident. When your body gets jolted around, it can twist in unnatural ways or hit something inside your car, leading to discomfort in various parts of the body, including your shoulder. You might be tempted to wait it out to see if your shoulder pain resolves on its own with time, but this can be a mistake. 

If you have shoulder pain following a crash, never ignore it. See a doctor and then discuss your legal rights with a California car accident attorney. 

Seeking Medical Attention

Pain can often be a sign of serious injuries, including soft tissue sprains, strains, or tears in your shoulder. Shoulder pain might also stem from damage to your neck or back, and even a head injury can cause pain to radiate down into your shoulder. Seek medical attention right away if you feel this type of pain. 

You want to get a medical evaluation for the following reasons:

  • A doctor can use imaging and other diagnostic testing to identify injuries you would otherwise be unsure of
  • Medical professionals can recommend a treatment plan that you can start as soon as possible, which can often improve your prognosis and reduce recovery time
  • A diagnosis from a doctor will create an official medical record of your injuries, which you can use to prove your injuries to insurance companies for your car accident claim

There are both medical and legal benefits to getting medical attention right away. If you wait for days and the pain still has not subsided, you might get a diagnosis after a week or longer since the accident happened. An insurance company might try to allege that something else caused your injury in the time between the car accident and your medical diagnosis. This can make the claim process more challenging. 

A Shoulder Injury Can Be Debilitating

It’s easy to take good health for granted, and many of us do not recognize just how often we use our shoulders to accomplish daily tasks. In fact, even a routine trip to the grocery store can become painful and difficult after a serious shoulder injury. Some of the more common symptoms of a shoulder injury include:

  • Pain when using the arms
  • Impaired range of motion
  • Joint instability
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Weakness
  • Numbness and tingling

Fortunately, in many cases, these and other shoulder injury symptoms can be addressed through medical treatment, including pain medications, immobilization, physical therapy, and surgery.

Learn How a California Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you have suffered shoulder injuries in a car accident, you should call Bogaards Law as soon as you can. We will review your case for free and let you know whether you have a claim. In addition, we will only collect legal fees if we win your case. Contact us or call our office today to schedule your free case evaluation with a car accident attorney in California.

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