The pain may have come on immediately after your motorcycle crash or it may have been delayed. Either way, once the pain in your shoulder started you knew that you were hurt in the motorcycle accident and that you needed medical help. As time went on you realized that your physical injuries were also resulting in financial injuries and that you also needed legal help to fully recover from the motorcycle crash that left you hurt.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Shoulder Injuries
The unique injury that you suffer will depend on the force of the crash and how your shoulder was hurt. Some shoulder injuries that may occur in motorcycle wrecks include a:
- Shoulder dislocation. If you land directly on your shoulder then you may dislocate your shoulder at the acromioclavicular joint. In some cases, the pain can be severe and a shoulder deformity may be apparent. Your treatment will depend on the severity of the injury. In some cases, a sling and pain medication may be enough to treat the dislocation, and in other cases, surgery may be necessary.
- Shoulder fracture or break. The clavicle bone or proximal humerus bone can break if you land on your shoulder or suffer a direct hit to your shoulder. If you have swelling or a limited range of motion, then you may have suffered a fracture or a break. Different treatment options, including surgery, may be required.
- Torn rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is a large tendon that is made up of four muscles at the top of the arm bone. The rotator cuff helps you move and lift your arm. If the rotator cuff is torn, then this movement may be difficult, painful, or impossible. Your activities of daily living will be significantly impacted. Treatment may include steroid injections, medications, and surgery.
- SLAP tear. SLAP stands for Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior, which is cartilage that surrounds the shoulder joint socket. When this cartilage is torn in a motorcycle crash, then the symptoms may be similar to a torn rotator cuff. You may experience pain and difficulty moving. Treatment varies and may include non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications and surgery.
- Tear to other ligaments, tendons, or muscles. If any ligament, tendon, or muscle of the shoulder tears, then the pain, the impact on your life, and the treatment may be similar to what you would experience with a SLAP tear or a torn rotator cuff.
- Frozen shoulder. A torn rotator cuff and other injuries can result in a frozen shoulder. If you are unable to move your shoulder for an extended period of time then changes to your shoulder can make it difficult to move. Physical therapy may be required to regain range of motion.
Through a physical exam and appropriate imaging tests, your doctor can diagnose your specific type of shoulder injury and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Recovering From a Motorcycle Crash Shoulder Injury
While shoulder injuries are not life-threatening, they are serious injuries that are painful and that can substantially limit your daily activities. Some of the specific damages that you may suffer from a shoulder injury include:
- Medical costs. This includes surgeries, medications, hospitalizations, medical appointments, physical therapy, and any other healthcare costs incurred because of your shoulder injury.
- Lost income. Any income that you cannot earn including, but not limited to, lost wages, lost benefits, and lost income from self-employment may be included in your recovery.
- Out-of-pocket expenses. Any other specific financial costs you incurred as a result of your shoulder injury may be included in your recovery.
- Physical pain and emotional suffering. The physical pain and psychological suffering you endure may be among the most serious of your motorcycle accident injuries and should be included in your recovery.
You may be able to recover for the motorcycle accident injury damages that you’ve already suffered and those that you are reasonably expected to suffer in the future, as long as you can prove who was responsible for your crash and the value of your injuries.
Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers are also riders. We know just how badly you are suffering and we want to help you make a fair and just recovery. Please contact us at any time—24/7/365—to schedule a free consultation with us so that you can learn more about your rights and your potential recovery.