What Is the Most Common Shoulder Injury in a Car Accident?

November 19, 2025 | By Colombo Law

Shoulder pain is fairly common after a car accident. The force of the impact can injure the joint, ligaments, and nerves. Your symptoms may improve with time, or you may experience lasting pain and immobility. An experienced lawyer can help you seek compensation for a shoulder injury after a car accident.

The shoulder is made up of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone). A complex system of joints and soft tissue provides the shoulder with its remarkable range of motion, allowing you to lift, reach, and rotate with your arms. Because the shoulder is essential for many everyday tasks, accident-related injuries can prove debilitating.

A Morgantown car accident lawyer at Colombo Law can pursue the compensation you deserve for shoulder injuries and other trauma. We take into account not only your medical expenses and lost wages but any losses you will face in the long term.

If you suffered a shoulder injury in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, call Colombo Law at 304-599-4229 today for a FREE case review. Our attorneys serve clients in Morgantown and other areas of West Virginia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Shoulder Injury After a Car Accident?

You may experience shoulder pain immediately following the accident, or it could take several hours or even days to develop. Pain is a sign that you may have injured your shoulder, though the extent might not be clear until you seek medical attention.

Other possible signs of a car accident shoulder injury include:

• Bruising of the shoulder or upper arm
• Stiffness and difficulty moving your shoulder or arm
• Localized swelling in the shoulder and surrounding tissues
• Reduced range of motion
• Worsening shoulder pain with use
• Numbness, tingling, or pins and needles sensation in the affected shoulder or arm
• Clicking, grinding, or popping sounds when moving the shoulder
• Weakness when lifting or gripping objects
• Radiating pain down the arm or in the neck or chest

In the event of severe injury, the shoulder may be visibly deformed or look like it has extra corners. You should seek medical care without delay, both for your well-being and to protect your rights after the accident.

Common Types of Shoulder Injuries in Car Accidents

Victims of motor vehicle collisions often experience strains, sprains, and bruising of the shoulder. These injuries typically resolve over time. However, sometimes a shoulder injury after a car accident can be much more complex and painful. Examples include:

Torn Rotator Cuff

A rotator cuff tear occurs when the tendons and ligaments in the shoulder are stretched or ripped. Torn rotator cuffs are extremely painful and often lead to decreased mobility in the shoulder.

Rotator cuff tears are generally considered the most common shoulder injury in car accidents. AMA Guides® notes that imaging often reveals tears in the rotator cuff among victims of rear-end collisions.

Bone Fractures

The clavicle is the bone most likely to break in car accidents. It is exposed to significant force in the event of a crash, especially if the shoulder collides with the seatbelt. Fractures of the scapula and/or humerus may also occur, but these are less common.

Dislocated Shoulder

A dislocated shoulder occurs when the ball of the humerus pops out of the shoulder socket (also known as the glenoid cavity). It can be extremely painful and limit mobility of the joint significantly.

Labral Tears

Tears of the labrum (a layer of cartilage around the rim of the shoulder socket) may occur due to impact or dislocation of the shoulder. Labral tears can make the shoulder joint weak and unstable.

Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Injuries

The collarbone and the scapula meet at the AC joint, forming the highest point of the shoulder. Injuring your shoulder in a car crash can tear the acromioclavicular ligaments and result in a separation of the two bones.

Whiplash

People generally associate whiplash with the neck, but it can affect the shoulders as well. Contrary to the popular notion that whiplash is a “minor” injury, damage to the soft tissues in the neck and shoulders can be costly and have long-lasting effects.

Read More: What Is the Average Payout for Whiplash in West Virginia?

Shoulder Impingement

Impingement occurs when the bones in the shoulder joint pinch nearby tendons and other soft tissues. The violent force of a car accident can lead to shoulder impingement.

Frozen Shoulder

Trauma to the shoulder in an accident can cause inflammation. Your shoulder may also need to be immobilized to aid in the healing process. Lack of motion can cause the shoulder capsule to thicken and become stiff. This is known as “frozen shoulder,” and it can be painful and limit range of motion for a long time after the crash.

How Can You Tell If a Shoulder Injury Is Serious?

If you have been in a car accident and you’re experiencing severe and persistent pain in your shoulder, don’t try to tough it out. You should also seek medical attention if you have extreme difficulty moving your shoulder, notice visible deformities, or hear unusual sounds with movement. These may be signs of a broken bone, dislocation, rotator cuff tear, or other serious injury.

Accurate diagnosis of a shoulder injury from a car accident is important for two reasons. First, it ensures that you get the proper treatment. This may include reduction of a dislocated shoulder, surgical repair of the rotator cuff or labrum, fracture fixation, or shoulder replacement in severe cases. Rehabilitation following these procedures may take weeks or months.

Second, detailed medical records are a cornerstone of successful personal injury claims. The shoulder injury needs to be fully documented through imaging (X-ray, CT scans, MRI), written notes from doctors and physical therapists, treatment plans, and more.

How Much Compensation Do You Get for a Shoulder Injury in a Car Accident?

The compensation you are entitled to for a shoulder injury after a car accident depends on multiple factors. For example: Will your shoulder regain function with proper medical treatment, or did the accident cause permanent damage?

Potential compensation that may be available if your shoulder was injured in a car accident caused by someone else includes:

• Medical bills for surgery, physical therapy, etc.
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of earning capacity
• Future medical costs
• The cost of home-based care and household assistance
• Permanent disability
• Assistive devices, medical travel, and other out-of-pocket expenses
• Punitive damages (extreme cases only)

Shoulder pain and restricted movement can persist long after the initial injury. Research published in the International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine found that up to 40% of patients do not fully recover within 12 months. It is vital to account for the long-term and permanent losses you will face if your shoulder does not heal completely.

Shoulder Injury After a Car Accident? Colombo Law Can Help!

West Virginia gives you 2 years to make a claim for personal injury. Many people don’t realize that a sore or stiff shoulder doesn’t always go away on its own. That is why you should see a doctor or go to the emergency room as soon as possible after an accident, as well as talk to a knowledgeable attorney.

The Morgantown car accident lawyers at Colombo Law have extensive experience representing the victims of other drivers’ negligence. We closely evaluate the seriousness of your injuries, calculate all damages, and prepare a strong claim on your behalf.

Contact Colombo Law today for a FREE case review. Reaching out to us carries no risk, as you don’t pay fees until we obtain a settlement or win for you at trial.