Understanding Rotator Cuff Tears from Car Accidents

What Victims Need to Know About Shoulder Injuries Caused by a Crash

A rotator cuff tear isn’t just a shoulder injury—it’s a painful, life-limiting condition that can affect everything from your sleep to your ability to work or care for your family.

While rotator cuff tears are commonly associated with sports or aging, they’re also a frequent result of motor vehicle collisions. Sudden force from a crash, especially side impacts or rear-end accidents, can violently jolt the shoulder, leading to partial or complete tears in the muscles or tendons that stabilize the joint.

At Smith & Hassler, our Houston car accident lawyers have seen firsthand how shoulder injuries like these can disrupt lives. And too often, insurance companies try to downplay or deny the connection between the accident and the injury. Here’s what you need to know about diagnosing, treating, and legally proving a rotator cuff tear after a car wreck.

What Is a Rotator Cuff Tear?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of your upper arm bone firmly in place. It allows for essential movement and stability, including raising and rotating your arm.

A tear occurs when one of these tendons is stretched or ripped due to trauma or degeneration. In car accidents, tears typically result from direct impact (e.g., hitting a window or airbag), bracing for the crash, or sudden force that pulls the shoulder backward or downward.

There are two main types of rotator cuff tears:

Partial tear: The tendon is damaged but not completely severed.
Full-thickness tear: The tendon is torn completely and separated from the bone.

Even a partial tear can cause significant pain and long-term dysfunction.

Common Symptoms of a Torn Rotator Cuff After a Crash

Rotator cuff injuries may not present immediate or obvious symptoms. In fact, many victims mistake the pain for general soreness or assume it will resolve with rest. But untreated tears can worsen over time.

Here are common signs to watch for:

Persistent or worsening pain, especially when lifting your arm
Shoulder weakness or stiffness
Difficulty reaching overhead or behind your back
Pain that disrupts sleep, particularly when lying on the affected side
Clicking or popping sounds when moving the arm

If you notice any of these symptoms after a car accident, it’s critical to seek medical attention quickly. Delayed treatment can lead to complications, including permanent loss of shoulder function.

How Rotator Cuff Tears Can Disrupt Everyday Life in Invisible Ways

Not all injuries leave visible marks, but that doesn’t mean the damage isn’t real. A torn rotator cuff can quietly upend your routine in ways most people don’t see. Everyday tasks—pouring coffee, buckling a seatbelt, opening a door—can suddenly feel like impossible challenges. You may need help getting dressed, carrying groceries, or lifting your child.

Even things you used to enjoy—gardening, golfing, playing an instrument—can fall away due to pain or reduced mobility. And because shoulder injuries are internal, others may not understand how much you’re struggling. You might look “fine” to friends and coworkers while silently battling discomfort, frustration, and a loss of independence.

This disconnect can affect your mental health, your relationships, and your sense of identity. That’s why it’s so critical to make sure your injury isn’t minimized. A personal injury claim isn’t just about bills—it’s about telling the full story of how your life was affected. At Smith & Hassler, we help injured Houstonians make that story matter.

Diagnosing a Rotator Cuff Tear

Diagnosing shoulder injuries isn’t always straightforward. Insurance companies may question the severity or even deny that the injury was caused by the crash.

To support your case and get the care you need, doctors may use:

Physical examination: Tests for strength, range of motion, and pain response
Imaging: X-rays can rule out broken bones, while MRIs or ultrasounds are typically used to confirm tendon tears
Orthopedic consultation: If symptoms persist, an orthopedic specialist may be required to confirm the diagnosis

Make sure your doctor knows you were in a car accident and document your symptoms as early as possible. That paper trail is essential for both your recovery and your legal case.

Treatment Options and Recovery Timeline

Treatment depends on the severity of the tear and your overall health. Mild or partial tears may respond well to non-surgical methods, while full-thickness tears often require surgical repair.

Non-surgical treatments may include:

Rest and ice
Physical therapy
Cortisone injections
Anti-inflammatory medications

Surgical options may include:

Arthroscopic repair (minimally invasive)
Open tendon repair for larger tears
Tendon transfer or shoulder replacement in extreme cases

Recovery can take 4–6 months or longer, especially if the dominant arm is affected or physical demands are high. That’s why full compensation for lost wages, future care, and pain and suffering is so important in these cases.

Proving a Rotator Cuff Tear Is Accident-Related

One of the biggest challenges in rotator cuff claims is proving that the tear was caused by the accident, not from a prior injury, aging, or overuse. Insurance adjusters often argue that shoulder injuries are pre-existing or unrelated, even when they clearly follow a traumatic event.

Here’s how a car accident lawyer can help build your case:

Medical records: Your doctors must clearly connect the injury to the crash.
Imaging studies: MRI results showing acute trauma or recent tears strengthen your claim.
Timeline of symptoms: Consistency in reports after the crash supports causation.
Expert testimony: Orthopedic experts can explain how the crash caused the injury.

How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Rotator Cuff Injury After a Car Accident?

The value of a car accident settlement involving a rotator cuff tear depends on multiple factors, including the severity of the injury, the cost of medical treatment, and how your life has been affected. In Texas, compensation for this type of injury may include:

Medical expenses: Emergency room visits, surgery, physical therapy, medications, and future medical needs.
Lost wages: Time missed from work, including reduced hours or inability to return to your previous job.
Pain and suffering: Chronic pain, sleepless nights, mental stress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Loss of earning capacity: If you can’t return to your old job or your career path is permanently altered.
Disfigurement or physical impairment: Especially if surgery leaves visible scars or you experience long-term limitations.

While each case is different, rotator cuff tear settlements can range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on the circumstances. A Houston attorney from Smith & Hassler can assess the full impact of your injury and pursue the maximum compensation allowed under Texas law.

Why Rotator Cuff Injuries Are Often Overlooked—And Why That’s a Problem

Unlike visible injuries like broken bones or lacerations, shoulder injuries can take time to reveal themselves fully. Many people walk away from a crash thinking they’ve avoided serious harm, only to find days or weeks later that they can’t lift their arm or sleep through the night due to intense shoulder pain.

This delay in diagnosis is common, but insurance companies often use it against you. They may argue that your injury couldn’t have been that serious if it wasn’t reported right away. They might also try to blame the injury on unrelated activities or natural wear and tear.

This is why it’s so important to see a doctor immediately after your crash, even if your shoulder pain seems minor. And if symptoms get worse, follow up. Having a documented timeline of your complaints and treatment can make or break your case. A skilled attorney can help make sure that evidence is front and center when negotiating your claim.

Why You Need a Houston Car Accident Lawyer

Even with clear symptoms and imaging, insurance companies may argue that your injury was not caused by the crash or claim you’re exaggerating the severity. This is where legal representation makes the difference.

At Smith & Hassler, our attorneys can:

Calculate the true value of your rotator cuff injury, including long-term impact
Handle all communication and negotiation with insurers
Work with medical experts to prove trauma-induced tears
Prepare your case for trial if a fair settlement isn’t offered

Our Houston car accident lawyers are here to level the playing field and ensure you aren’t left paying out of pocket for an injury someone else caused.

Talk to a Houston Car Accident Attorney Who Knows How to Fight

A rotator cuff tear is a serious injury, and it demands serious legal action. If your shoulder hasn’t been the same since your accident, don’t wait to get answers. Let Smith & Hassler protect your rights, deal with the insurance company, and fight for every dollar you’re owed.

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