Can You Get Nerve Damage From A Car Accident?
Car crashes result in various injuries to many different parts of the body. While some injuries may be minor, other injuries—such as nerve injuries—are anything but minor. Nerve damage that occurs in auto accidents can even result in permanent disabilities. This is because nerves are involved in every body’s movement, both voluntary and involuntary. Nerves also provide the body with the feeling of sensation, so when a person suffers nerve damage, life can be forever changed.
Nerve damage can be painful at the injury site and radiate throughout the body. The area of injury will determine if accident victims will experience nerve damage to their:
- Arms
- Hands
- Legs
- Feet
- Neck
- Face
Sometimes the pain can be felt instantly, but nerve damage symptoms may take days to detect in other cases.
Car Accident Injuries that can Cause Nerve Damage
- Whiplash
- Herniated disc
- Pinches nerve
Are you suffering from nerve damage after a car accident? Call Shevlin Smith today at 703-721-4233 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our personal injury lawyer!
What are the Symptoms of Nerve Damage?
In the hours and days following a crash, victims need to note how they feel and whether they are experiencing a loss of sensation or pain to determine if nerve damage has occurred. Here are some nerve damage symptoms to watch for after a crash:
- Weakness in muscles
- Numbness of the skin
- Tingling feeling or pricking sensation
- Twitching or muscle spasms
- Sensitivity of the skin
- Burning sensation
- Pain
- Atrophy of muscle tissue
- Lack of sweating or an excessive amount of sweating
- Dry mouth and/or eyes
- Lightheadedness
- Paralysis
When someone experiences these symptoms following a car accident, immediate medical care should be sought for a proper diagnosis and speedy treatment. Because nerve damage can be difficult to pinpoint, doctors should conduct thorough tests if a person has some of the above symptoms. A nerve conduction test can reveal if there is an impairment of nerves.
Long-Term Effects of Nerve Damage
Sometimes nerves can be stretched too much, pinched, or even cut. How nerves are damaged will determine the severity of the injury and the type of treatment options. For instance, nerves are often stretched or pinched in cases of whiplash when the head and neck forcefully move back and forth. In other cases, nerves can be cut and severed when lacerations to the body occur. Even the compression of nerves when body parts are impacted during a crash can lead to nerve damage.
No matter the cause of nerve damage, the effects can be quite severe. This is because nerves play a critical role in the function of one’s body. Although some nerve injuries can be treated with physical therapy, others may require complicated surgery. And sadly, some nerve injuries cannot be treated, and the damage may be permanent. Their lives are forever changed for those who suffer complications and the long-term effects of nerve damage. Complications can include:
- Not being able to feel a specific part of the body
- Living in pain
- Suffering full or partial paralysis
When any of these complications occur, likely, victims will not be able to work again or make the same type of money they did before the car accident. As a result, they often need to pursue a personal injury claim to collect the maximum compensation available.
Seek Legal Help Today
Because personal injury claims involving nerve damage can be complex, testimony from a medical expert is often necessary. Establishing how one’s life has changed is another critical piece of evidence—this can come from an individual’s testimony and those who know the victim. Our law firm has experience building arguments and establishing evidence necessary in cases such as these. If you would like to discuss your car crash case involving nerve damage, please contact our law firm for a free, no-obligation consultation today. We would be honored to help you collect fair compensation for the injuries you suffered.
Contact Shevlin Smith today to schedule a FREE consultation!