How Car Accidents Can Cause Rotator Cuff Tears

Rotator cuff injuries are a common result of car accidents in Illinois, with the shoulder often taking the brunt of impact during a collision. These injuries can be extremely painful and can affect your ability to work or carry out daily activities. In this blog, we will explore how rotator cuff injuries occur in car accidents, the legal aspects of seeking compensation for these injuries, and what you need to know about proving liability in an Illinois personal injury claim.

What Is a Rotator Cuff Tear?

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in your shoulder that keep the shoulder joint stable and allow you to lift and rotate your arm. A rotator cuff tear occurs when one or more of these muscles or tendons become damaged, either partially or fully. These injuries are especially common in car accidents due to the extreme forces that impact the body during a collision.

• Partial Tear: The tendon is damaged but not completely severed.
• Complete Tear: The tendon is torn completely, separating it from the bone.

These injuries can cause significant pain and loss of function, requiring extensive medical treatment and possibly surgery.

How Do Rotator Cuff Tears Happen in Car Accidents?

In a car accident, there are multiple ways that the shoulder can be injured, leading to a rotator cuff tear:

1. Seatbelt Compression: While seatbelts save lives, they can also exert tremendous pressure on the shoulder during a crash. When the body is thrown forward in a high-speed accident, the seatbelt pulls hard against the shoulder, which can strain or tear the rotator cuff.
2. Airbag Deployment: When an airbag deploys during a collision, it can strike the shoulder with significant force. The rapid expansion and impact of the airbag can lead to shoulder injuries, including rotator cuff tears.
3. Bracing for Impact: In a car accident, it’s instinctive to brace yourself by gripping the steering wheel tightly or placing your hands on the dashboard. This reaction puts pressure on the shoulder joint and can cause the rotator cuff to tear, especially in high-speed or side-impact collisions.
4. Side Collisions: When a vehicle is struck from the side, such as in a T-bone accident, the passenger or driver on the impacted side can suffer direct trauma to the shoulder, leading to a rotator cuff injury.
5. Pedestrian Accidents: When a pedestrian is struck by a car, the force of impact to the shoulder can cause a rotator cuff tear.

Signs and Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear After a Car Accident

Rotator cuff tears often cause a range of symptoms, including:

• Pain: Shoulder pain that worsens with arm movement or while resting, especially when lying on the affected shoulder.
• Weakness: Difficulty lifting or rotating the arm, particularly when lifting objects overhead.
• Decreased Range of Motion: A feeling of stiffness in the shoulder, making it hard to perform daily tasks.
• Clicking or Popping Sounds: Sensations of clicking or popping when moving the shoulder.
• Swelling and Bruising: After a significant injury, the area around the shoulder may appear bruised or swollen.

If you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident, it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tears

To diagnose a rotator cuff tear, a doctor will usually perform a physical examination followed by imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRI scans, or ultrasounds. These tests help determine the extent of the tear and whether surgery is needed.

Treatment options depend on the severity of the tear:

1. Non-Surgical Treatments
   For partial tears, treatment may include:
   • Rest and Immobilization: Wearing a sling to restrict movement and allow the shoulder to heal.
   • Physical Therapy: Strengthening exercises to improve shoulder function and reduce pain.
   • Medication: Anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and swelling.
   • Steroid Injections: In some cases, corticosteroid injections are used to reduce inflammation in the shoulder joint.
2. Surgical Treatment
   In cases of a complete tear or if non-surgical treatments are ineffective, surgery may be necessary. Types of surgery include:
   • Arthroscopic Surgery: A minimally invasive procedure to repair the torn tendon.
   • Open Surgery: In more severe cases, open surgery may be required to repair or reattach the tendon to the bone.
   • Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: Physical therapy is often required after surgery to restore strength and mobility to the shoulder.

Seeking Compensation for a Rotator Cuff Tear in an Illinois Car Accident

If you’ve suffered a rotator cuff tear in a car accident in Illinois, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To secure compensation, you must prove that the accident was caused by the negligence of another party. In Illinois, proving negligence involves establishing four elements:

1. Duty of Care: The defendant owed a duty of care to act in a reasonably safe manner. For example, a driver has a duty to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicle responsibly.
2. Breach of Duty: The defendant breached this duty by acting negligently or recklessly, such as by speeding, texting while driving, or running a red light.
3. Causation: The defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the car accident and your rotator cuff injury.
4. Damages: You suffered measurable damages as a result of the injury, such as medical bills, lost wages, and physical and emotional pain.

Key Types of Evidence in a Rotator Cuff Injury Claim

To maximize your compensation, you’ll need to present strong evidence to support your personal injury claim. Key pieces of evidence include:

1. Medical Records: Medical records are critical in establishing the severity of your rotator cuff injury and the treatment required. Be sure to obtain records of all doctor visits, X-rays, MRIs, and physical therapy sessions.
2. Accident Reports: If law enforcement responded to the accident, the police report will contain important details, such as witness statements and whether any citations were issued. This report can help prove the other driver’s negligence.
3. Witness Testimony
   Statements from people who saw the accident can provide important details that back up your version of events.
4. Expert Testimony: In some cases, expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction experts or medical professionals may be needed to explain how the car accident caused your rotator cuff injury and the long-term implications of your condition.
5. Surveillance Footage: If the accident occurred in an area with traffic cameras or nearby businesses with surveillance cameras, obtaining footage of the accident can be invaluable in proving liability.

Compensation for Rotator Cuff Tears in Illinois Car Accidents

In Illinois, if you’ve suffered a rotator cuff tear due to a car accident, you may be entitled to various types of compensation:

1. Medical Expenses: This includes compensation for current and future medical treatments, such as surgery, physical therapy, medications, and rehabilitation.
2. Lost Wages: If your injury has caused you to miss work, you can recover compensation for lost wages. In cases where the injury affects your long-term earning capacity, you may also seek damages for lost future income.
3. Pain and Suffering: In addition to medical expenses and lost wages, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life.
4. Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy: Ongoing physical therapy or rehabilitation may be required to regain full function in the shoulder. Compensation can cover these necessary treatments.

“Rotator cuff injuries can have a profound impact on a person’s daily life. Whether you’ve suffered this injury in a car accident, it’s important to seek proper medical care and legal representation. Our goal is to ensure that our clients receive fair compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and the pain they’ve endured.” – John J. Malm, Illinois car accident attorney

Contact the Illinois Car Accident Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

Rotator cuff tears are painful and debilitating injuries that can result from the significant forces involved in a car accident. If you’ve suffered such an injury, seeking compensation through a personal injury claim can help cover the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, and more. By gathering strong evidence and proving the other party’s negligence, you can maximize your compensation and move forward with your recovery.

At John J. Malm & Associates, our top-rated Illinois car crash attorneys are dedicated to helping accident victims recover the compensation they deserve. If you’ve suffered a rotator cuff injury in a car accident, contact us today to discuss your case.