The human body has a network of nerves that control sensations and movement. These nerves are clusters that send vital signals throughout the body. Nerves are susceptible and can be easily damaged. Sudden trauma can harm nerves and lead to lasting symptoms and difficulties. Nerve damage is a common injury that people suffer in car accidents.
Practically any part of your body can suffer a nerve injury from the trauma of a car crash. Common types of nerve damage from car accidents include:
- Whiplash: The sudden and violent movement of your head or neck while the rest of your body remains still can cause nerve damage to your neck.
- Spinal injury: Damage to the spine can result in pinched and compressed nerves in the surrounding area. This injury is called sciatica, and it is incredibly painful.
- Herniated disks: When the gel in your back’s disks protrudes, it can pressure nerves, causing pain and difficulty moving your legs.
- Nerve Injuries to other areas: Broken bones or injuries to other parts of the body can damage the nerves.
Signs You Have Suffered Nerve Damage
You may feel weakness in your body in the days after the car accident, or you may experience difficulty with movement. These are often nerve injury symptoms requiring immediate medical attention. In some cases, rest can help you heal and regain function. Time can help the nerves relax, and they can repair themselves. In other cases, the damage can be more severe, and you may need more medical intervention to repair the damage.
Serious nerve injuries can require complex surgery for repair. Doctors may not even be able to fix some of the damage when your injuries are particularly severe. The nerve network can become severed or irreparably harmed, leading to permanent injuries.
Be Vigilant About Your Medical Care After a Car Accident
As a car accident victim, you should always be on the lookout for symptoms of the injury and seek immediate medical treatment. Not only does seeing a doctor soon after the accident increase the chances that you may recover fully, but it also shows the insurance company that you have done everything possible to address your medical situation.
Some signs that you may be suffering from nerve damage include:
- Tingling in your hands and feet
- Weakness in your muscles
- Unexplained pain in various parts of your body
- Excessive sensitivity to touch
- Lower blood pressure
It is not always easy for doctors to diagnose nerve injuries. They may not show up on tests such as an MRI; doctors would need to conduct more extensive testing to diagnose a nerve injury. It could take time for them to determine what is wrong with you and settle on an appropriate action. Thus, it is vital that you start the medical process as soon as possible to learn what is wrong with you.
In the meantime, you may be entitled to financial compensation when you prove someone else was to blame for your car accident. In addition to seeing a doctor, you should hire an experienced car accident lawyer to investigate the accident and gather evidence proving that someone else may owe you money. Then, your lawyer will work to quantify your damages, reviewing your medical records and situation to determine how much you may be owed.
Contact a Towson Car Accident Lawyer at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC if You Have Nerve Damage
If you have been hurt in a wreck, a Towson car accident lawyer at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC can immediately get to work to investigate the accident and fight for you to get every dollar you deserve. Call us today at 443-589-0150 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. Located in Hunt Valley and Towson, Maryland, we serve clients in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Bel Air, Bentley Springs, Columbia, Freeland, Hereford, Hampton, Westminster, Essex, Monkton, Sparks Glencoe, Parkton, Phoenix, Pikesville, White Hall, Carroll County, Harford County, and Howard County.