Auto accidents cause more than broken bones and bruises. They can also lead to permanent nerve damage that disrupts mobility, sensation and quality of life.
Strengthening your accident claim means understanding your nerve injuries and seeking compensation that fully reflects them. Learning more about nerve damage is an ideal first step.
Types of accident-related nerve damage
Accident injuries can trigger various forms of nerve damage, including the following:
- Peripheral neuropathy: This occurs when nerves outside the brain and spinal cord are crushed, stretched or severed, causing pain, tingling, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs.
- Radiculopathy: This stems from pressure on spinal nerve roots, often due to whiplash or herniated discs and causing pain to radiate into the limbs.
- Spinal cord injury: This involves direct trauma to the spinal cord, potentially causing permanent paralysis or loss of function below the injury site
- Neurotmesis: This causes the complete severing of a nerve, resulting in irreversible paralysis in the affected area
All of these can impair daily function and may require long-term care and assistance.
Causes of permanent nerve damage
Nerve injuries in vehicle accidents often arise from:
- Direct trauma, such as fractures or deep cuts that pinch or sever nerves
- Compression, where swelling or herniated discs apply prolonged pressure
- Stretching or traction, caused by sudden forceful movements
- Nerve root avulsion, where a nerve root is torn from the spinal cord
Common signs of nerve injury to watch for include:
- Numbness, tingling or burning sensations
- Muscle weakness or movement difficulty
- Persistent “asleep” feeling in limbs
- Radiating pain or paralysis
If you experience these symptoms after a crash, you need to take steps to help ensure that the damage is reflected in your accident claim. Getting experienced legal guidance will help.