Individuals searching for average shoulder injury settlements after car accidents in Louisiana are often looking for general information about how shoulder injuries are evaluated for personal injury claims. Shoulder injuries, like other personal injuries, do not have a fixed or guaranteed settlement value.
The outcome of a claim depends on the nature of the injury, the treatment required, and how the injury affects a person’s daily life and ability to work.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
The Louisiana personal injury lawyers at Gauthier Amedee provide representation to clients in orthopedic injury cases, including shoulder injuries from car accidents. Claims involving shoulder injuries are commonly reviewed for medical records and treatment history, as well as imaging and diagnostic studies, to accurately determine the nature of the injury.
Insurance adjusters and lawyers can evaluate the injury in terms of how it occurred, if it is supported by objective findings, and how it impacts function over the long term. Shoulder injuries can be minor to severe, and each claim must be analyzed based on its own facts.
Explanation of Shoulder Injuries from Car Accidents
Shoulder pain is a common complaint that can impact approximately 18-26% of adults at some point in time. In 2023, a total of 143,207 motor vehicle crashes occurred across Louisiana. Injury to the shoulder in an auto accident can be due to direct forces to the shoulder as the occupant braces against a hard surface, such as a steering wheel, dashboard, or car door.
Force may also be applied across the shoulder from a seat belt during the sudden deceleration. Side-impact car accidents and the deployment of an air bag can also play a role in the development of shoulder injuries. It is helpful to understand how movement is restricted in a shoulder injury and how it might be applied in a car crash in order to determine the injury’s validity in an injury claim.
Objective Findings Versus Subjective Pain in Shoulder Injury Claims
Shoulder injury claims can involve both objective findings and subjective symptoms. Imaging, recorded range of motion restrictions, or observed instability may be objective findings in shoulder injury claims. Subjective symptoms of pain, stiffness, or weakness are also common.
Medical providers may note instances where reported symptoms exceed objective findings or, conversely, where symptoms are underreported. These issues can become relevant when symptoms are not consistent with diagnostic imaging, physical examinations, or documented clinical findings.
Dominant Arm Shoulder Injuries and Functional Impact
Injury to a person’s dominant shoulder may affect daily functioning more significantly than an injury to the non-dominant shoulder. Tasks such as lifting, writing, driving, and performing work duties may be more difficult when the dominant arm is involved. A dominant shoulder injury may disrupt routine movements and reduce functional independence.
Medical records may document decreased strength, difficulty with repetitive tasks, or limitations in overhead use. These functional impacts are typically considered alongside medical findings when evaluating how a shoulder injury affects daily activities and employment.
Delayed Onset of Shoulder Symptoms After a Car Accident
Shoulder symptoms may not always appear immediately after a car accident. Soft tissue damage, inflammation, and joint irritation may take some time. In addition, individuals may experience adrenaline or shock immediately following a collision, which can temporarily mask pain or discomfort.
When a patient reports late-onset shoulder symptoms, medical providers may review the timing of the complaints, treatment delay, and diagnostic findings to make a determination of whether the condition is accident-related.
FAQs
Why Aren’t Shoulder Injuries Always Noticed Right Away After an Accident?
Immediate symptoms of a shoulder injury may be masked by adrenaline, shock, or the presence of more obvious injuries after a vehicle collision. Soft tissue damage, inflammation, or joint irritation can develop over time. Providers may conduct follow-up evaluations and imaging to identify shoulder conditions that were not evident at the scene. Delayed reporting is not always a reason to deny a claim, but the timing of documentation may be closely reviewed.
Will I Have Trouble with Daily Activities if I Injure My Shoulder but Don’t Need Surgery?
Injury to the shoulder can impact routine activities even when surgery is not needed. Pain, weakness, or limited range of motion may interfere with driving, lifting, sleeping, or work-related tasks. Medical providers often document functional restrictions and treatment recommendations, which may help demonstrate how an injury affects routine activities.
Are Upper-Body Injuries Common in Car Accidents?
Upper-body injuries are common in vehicle collisions due to seatbelt restraint, airbag deployment, and contact with interior components. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has reported that shoulder belt loading and side-impact forces are common causes of upper-torso injuries in crashes. Claims are evaluated based on crash mechanics, medical findings, and functional impact, rather than on statistics alone.
Does the Type of Vehicle Impact Matter in Shoulder Injury Claims?
The type of vehicle involved in a car accident can affect how a shoulder injury occurs. Vehicle features like the seat height, steering column location, door construction, and airbag deployment pattern can all have an impact on the direction and magnitude of forces transmitted to a person’s shoulder.
When appropriate, medical providers and claims reviewers may consider crash mechanics alongside injury findings to determine whether the reported shoulder condition is consistent with the type of collision and vehicle design.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
Average shoulder injury settlements after car accidents in Louisiana do not follow a standard settlement formula. Each case depends on medical findings, functional limitations, liability, and insurance considerations.
Understanding how these factors are reviewed provides clearer insight into how shoulder injury claims are evaluated under Louisiana personal injury law. Schedule a consultation with our skilled and experienced team at Gauthier Amedee to hire a car accident lawyer who can help evaluate your claim.
