Can a Car Accident Cause a SLAP Tear?

A serious shoulder injury can disrupt every part of your daily life, and a SLAP tear is no exception. Often painful, slow to heal, and difficult to detect without advanced imaging, these labral injuries can affect your ability to work, exercise, or even sleep. So, can a car accident cause a SLAP tear? Yes, and it’s more common than many car accident victims realize.

SLAP stands for Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior, which involves damage to the top of the shoulder socket (glenoid cavity), where the biceps tendon attaches. If you’ve experienced this kind of injury due to a crash in Chicago, you may be eligible to file an injury claim for fair compensation under Illinois law. 

Below, we discuss how these tears occur, the symptoms, and how to treat them, and what a law firm can do to help protect your rights.

What Is a SLAP Tear and How Does It Affect You?

The superior labrum is a ring of cartilage surrounding the shoulder socket. It stabilizes the area where the upper arm bone connects to the rest of the shoulder. A SLAP tear occurs when this cartilage pulls away at the top, leading to pain and mechanical symptoms in the shoulder joint.

A SLAP tear can:

• Cause deep, persistent shoulder pain
• Reduce your range of motion
• Make the shoulder feel unstable or weak
• Trigger discomfort during lifting, reaching, or repetitive overhead motions

When the tendon connected to the biceps is involved, even daily activities like driving or pushing open a door can become painful. Over time, a SLAP tear can significantly impact your ability to work or manage daily responsibilities.

How Can a Car Accident Cause a SLAP Tear?

Many people associate this condition with athletes, but can a car accident also cause a SLAP tear? Sudden trauma from a collision can exert extreme pressure on the shoulder socket, forcing the top of the arm into an unnatural position and tearing the cartilage.

Common crash scenarios include:

• Bracing against the steering wheel during impact
• Striking the arm or shoulder against the door or side panel
• A violent jolt from a rear-end or side-impact collision

These situations can stretch, twist, or compress the ball-and-socket, making SLAP tears a real risk for many car accident victims.

Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents That Can Cause a SLAP Tear

Not every car accident produces the same injuries, but some crash types are more likely to lead to labral damage:

• T-bone car accidents: When another vehicle slams into the side of your car, your upper arm bone may twist violently, leading to a lesion in the shoulder cartilage.
• Rollover crashes: These events throw passengers around the cabin. Even if you’re buckled in, your arm bone can slam against the frame or window.
• Rear-end collisions: Jerking forward while holding the steering wheel can compress the glenoid cavity and rupture the superior labrum anterior section.

Common Symptoms of a SLAP Tear After a Car Crash

A SLAP tear might not be obvious immediately after a crash. Adrenaline and shock can mask soreness, and some symptoms only develop days later.

Be alert for:

• Deep shoulder pain or aching
• Clicking or popping when moving your arm
• Weakness or instability in the shoulder
• Trouble lifting items or reaching overhead
• Limited mobility or stiffness

These common symptoms should prompt immediate medical evaluation to confirm the cause.

Diagnosing a SLAP Tear After a Car Accident

Accurate diagnosis is essential for building a strong personal injury case. Doctors typically perform:

• Physical Exams: Testing strength and movement in the shoulder area
• MRI Scans: Detecting soft tissue damage like labral tears
• X-rays: Ruling out broken bones in the upper arm or surrounding structures

Establishing a clear link between the car accident and your shoulder injury helps prevent insurers from blaming pre-existing conditions.

Treatment Options for SLAP Tears: What to Expect

Treatment depends on the severity of the tear and your overall health. Mild SLAP tears can respond well to conservative treatment options, while more serious injuries might need surgery.

• Physical therapy to strengthen the shoulder and restore motion
• Anti-inflammatory medications and rest
• Arthroscopic surgery if the tear doesn’t improve with therapy

Recovery can take months. For some, full function may return in weeks. Others require surgery and extended rehabilitation to achieve a full recovery.

How Much Compensation Can You Recover for a SLAP Tear?

SLAP rupture claims may result in substantial compensation, depending on the severity of the shoulder injury and impact on your life.

Your settlement may include:

• Coverage for past and future medical expenses, including surgery and physical therapy;
• Lost wages due to time off work;
• Pain and suffering for chronic discomfort, sleeplessness, and reduced quality of life;
• Projected costs for ongoing treatment and assistance.

Illinois law allows car accident victims to pursue compensation for financial and emotional losses due to a labral tear.

How to Protect Your Injury Claim And Get Fair Compensation

If you’ve suffered a SLAP tear in a car accident, protect your legal rights by taking the following steps:

• Get immediate medical attention to document your injury.
• Follow through with all recommended treatment, including conservative treatment or arthroscopic surgery.
• Avoid speaking with the insurance company before consulting a car accident lawyer.
• Keep detailed notes on your shoulder discomfort, limitations, and how the injury affects your work and personal life.

These actions strengthen your case and make it easier to secure the compensation you deserve.

It’s important to act quickly, given Illinois’ statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the car accident. Waiting too long to act can bar you from seeking compensation, so it’s essential to speak with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Why Choose Our Law Firm for Your SLAP Tear Case?

Not every attorney understands the nuances of slap tear claims. Our Chicago-based car accident law firm has helped numerous clients recover damages for complex shoulder injuries. We understand how bicep tendon damage, shoulder socket trauma, and pain symptoms can impact your quality of life.

We offer aggressive negotiation, courtroom experience, and access to medical experts who can support your claim. Our goal is to win the compensation you deserve while making the process as smooth as possible.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Lawyer Today

Don’t accept a low settlement from the insurance company without understanding your rights. Our legal team offers a free consultation to review your case and outline your options. A qualified car insurance claims lawyer can help you pursue your shoulder injury settlement and push for full financial recovery.

If you suffered a SLAP tear in a car crash, don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to explore how we can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call us at (888) 424-5757 or through our contact form to discuss your options today.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.