Residents of Louisiana who are in car accidents might suffer a number of different types of injuries including shoulder trauma. The collarbone and the upper part of the arm, also known as the clavicle and the humerus, may be vulnerable to fracture. Fractures to the scapula, or shoulder blade, are somewhat less common because that part of the body tends to be protected by the muscles that surround it as well as the chest. However, a high-speed car accident can fracture it, and that fracture may be accompanied by a chest injury.
The amount of time it takes to recover from a shoulder injury depends upon the severity of the injury. Some may heal in a few weeks, and some may take months. Typical symptoms of a shoulder injury include swelling, bruising, pain and an inability to move the shoulder. Most fractures in the shoulder area are treated with immobilization, but in some cases, surgery may be necessary. Pain medication may also be prescribed as needed.
Those who sustain a shoulder fracture in a car crash may face a period in which they cannot work or attend to other regular duties. They may sustain other types of injuries as well. If another person or party was responsible for the accident, the individual may wish to consult an attorney.
Victims may face a number of obstacles in pursuing a claim. They may need to establish that another individual was negligent and thus responsible for the accident as well as documenting the extent of their injuries. An attorney may be helpful in pressing for higher settlements than those offered by insurance companies if those initial offers are insufficient.
Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, “Shoulder Trauma (Fractures and Dislocations)”, accessed on Feb. 7, 2015
