Shoulder Injury

As a Bellevue Car accident attorney, I have seen many auto accidents involving shoulder injuries. The shoulder is the most flexible joint in the body allowing us to move our arms in every direction with full range of motion; however, this flexibility increases its chance of being injured in a car accident

Most often, when people hear about a shoulder injury it has to do with playing sports. However, all it takes to injure a shoulder in any given situation is a powerful force that creates a direct impact on joint – which can happen in a serious car accident.

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The shoulder is composed of three bones; the humerus, shoulder blade, and the collarbone connect in a ball and socket joint to create full range of motion that enables us to move our shoulders forwards, backwards and side to side. In a car accident, the shoulder may experience force and pressure from the side resulting in an AC separation or a fractured collarbone. These are minor injuries in comparison to when the injury happens to an outstretched arm. An outstretched arm gripping the steering wheel may result in a fractured humerus which could require surgery or even an artificial joint replacement.

Depending on the type and severity of the injury, a victim may experience stiffness in the joint, deformity in the shoulder region, lack of mobility, lack of strength, and pain when attempting to lift the arm. If the shoulder feels like it may pop or slip out of position at any time after the accident, consult a physician to determine the extent of the damage. Treatment for this type of injury is usually determined after X-rays have been taken. Mild cases only require a sling to immobilize the soldier while it mends, but for more extreme cases, surgery may be required to get the shoulder back into place and allow it to heal.

This information is provided by www.straighttalklaw.com, where you can order free books on Washington auto accidents, auto insurance, and other valuable legal information, offered as a public service by Jason Epstein and his law practice Premiere Law Group in Seattle, Washington.