What Is the Average Settlement for Shoulder Surgery from a Car Accident?
There is no single average settlement for shoulder surgery from a car accident. The value of a settlement for shoulder surgery depends on many factors, such as the severity of the injury, the length of your recovery, the cost of medical treatment, and more.
A personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case to determine how much you may be entitled to receive if you were injured in a car accident caused by another driver.
Negligence and Liability in a Car Accident Case
In a car accident case, the driver who caused the accident through his or her negligence can be held legally liable for the other driver’s expenses. Motorists who drive in a way that harms other drivers or pedestrians are considered negligent. There are many types of negligent driving, such as:
- Speeding
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Texting while driving
- Driving while intoxicated, tired, and more
We can investigate your car accident to look for evidence that demonstrates how the other driver was negligent. If he or she claims you were at fault, we can fight back.
Common Shoulder Injuries After a Car Accident
The brute force of car accidents frequently causes shoulder injuries, sometimes because of how the seat belt puts pressure on the shoulder as the body moves forward. Here are two of the most common shoulder injuries after a car accident:
Dislocated Shoulder
In a dislocated shoulder, the upper arm bone pops out of its socket. According to Mayo Clinic, people with a dislocated shoulder are prone to future shoulder dislocations. This injury may require surgery for torn ligaments and tendons or damage to blood vessels and nerves.
Torn Rotator Cuff
A rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that keep the upper arm bone in the socket. Mayo Clinic on rotator cuff injury states that some of these injuries may be treated with surgery, but others can never be repaired.
If your shoulder was injured in a car accident, seek prompt medical attention. We can recommend a medical provider if you need one. Be sure to follow medical advice.
Estimating the Potential Value of Your Settlement
You may be able to recover financial compensation known as damages from the at-fault driver and his or her insurance company. We can assess your case to estimate the value of your settlement. Here are some of the factors that influence your settlement:
The Severity of Your Injuries
In general, settlements increase in proportion to the severity of the injuries. More severe injuries usually result in larger settlements.
The Cost of Treatment
Your settlement should compensate you for the full value of your medical treatment, including such expenses as:
- Emergency treatments
- Follow-up appointments
- Diagnostic imaging
- Surgeries
- Prescription medication
- Physical or occupational therapy
The Length of Your Recovery
While some injuries heal quickly, others take longer. Your injuries may require not only surgery but also rehabilitative therapies.
The Impact on Your Quality of Life
The car accident and your shoulder injury may take a toll on your overall quality of life. You may suffer from shoulder pain indefinitely or never regain the full use of your shoulder. You may become fearful, depressed, or anxious, or otherwise face a reduced quality of life because of the accident.
Property Damage
If your vehicle was damaged in the accident, your settlement can include compensation for auto body and mechanic bills or your vehicle’s replacement cost if it cannot be repaired.
Lost Wages
Your settlement can include compensation for lost wages if you are out of work during your recovery. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, you can recover future lost wages as well.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
A lawyer from our firm can help you throughout the settlement process, from investigating the accident to recovering damages. Here are some of the things your lawyer can do for you:
Investigate the Accident
The insurance companies and the police will investigate the accident, but we can independently investigate what happened. We can collect evidence, such as photos of the scene, traffic camera footage, cell phone records, blood alcohol test results, eyewitness testimony, and more, to determine which driver was negligent.
File an Insurance Claim
We can gather all the necessary documents, including medical bills and records, and file an insurance claim for you.
Negotiate a Settlement
We can negotiate for a settlement that fairly compensates you for your accident-related expenses and the negative impact on your quality of life.
File a Lawsuit
If we cannot agree with the insurance provider on a reasonable settlement, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Louisiana Deadlines for Filing a Lawsuit
CC 3493.1 establishes the statute of limitations for personal injury at two years, which means you have up to two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. If you wait longer than two years, you forfeit your right to sue.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Is Available Now for Help
Settlements depend on many factors, so there is no average settlement for shoulder surgery from a car accident. If your shoulder was injured in a car accident, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers may be able to help you recover damages for your medical expenses, property damage, and more.
Call our office today at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation. Because we work on contingency, we do not take any payments from you unless you win.
