Many auto accident victims in North Carolina suffer shoulder injuries when being involved in a collision. They are particularly common in motorcycle accidents, but are also very common results of car accidents. The shoulder is a complex area of the body that has a major impact on how we live our lives, which we often take it for granted. And when injuries occur to any part of the shoulder, life is altered drastically. That is what happens with shoulder impingement.
Shoulder impingement occurs for the most part in accidents when passengers and drivers sense a collision is about to occur and attempt bracing themselves in the vehicle using their arms. Motorcycle riders do the same thing, but instead grip the bike handlebars. Not only can arms be jammed into the shoulder area, but the bones can shift or fracture and muscles can tear as well. Since the components of the shoulder are all connected, damage to any particular part can affect the entire shoulder and rotator cuff.
The shoulder is composed of bones and muscles that are connected with tendons. The three primary bones of the shoulder region are the clavicle, scapula, and humerus. The associated muscles of the region are the teres minor, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, and subscapularis. The bones extend to the rotator cuff and allow for support for the muscles and tendons when moving while the arms are being used. Torn muscles and tendons as well as broken bones can all be part of a shoulder impingement injury, and often the only repair method is a rotator cuff reconstruction surgery aided by anti-inflammatory medications to reduce what will be significant pain.
The most important aspect of a shoulder impingement with respect to an auto accident injury claim is that it takes a very long time to heal, including a significant and rigorous physical therapy rehabilitation schedule. This becomes a major element of the non-economic compensatory damage element of the injury claim, and often total rehabilitation is not possible. This is especially true following very serious collisions. Attorneys who represent victims of car accidents understand how the injury can affect a claim, and they are also trained in explaining technical applications when negotiating claims for a settlement.