Nerve Damage After a Car Accident

Car accidents happen every day. Whether a quick trip to the store, commuting to work, or taking your family for a fun day out, there is a risk every time you get into a motor vehicle. Even a seemingly minor accident can cause serious injuries – including some with lifelong consequences. Among those potential injuries is nerve damage, either temporary or permanent, which can be caused by any type of car accident.

What is nerve damage?

Generally speaking, the term nerve damage refers to an injury that affects the nerves in the body, interfering with their ability to do their job. Nerves are responsible for transmitting impulses of sensation to the brain or spinal cord and impulses from the brain or spinal cord to the muscles and organs. When nerves are damaged, their ability to transmit those impulses is limited or stopped completely – either temporarily or permanently.

Whether you or a loved one are involved in a minor fender-bender or a serious, head-on collision, nerve damage can occur. Nerves can be compressed, pinched, torn, or severed completely. The most common types of nerve damage associated with injuries sustained in a car accident include temporary damage such as:

• Whiplash: Most people have heard of whiplash, and many tend to think of it simply as “neck pain.” However, the reality is that whiplash is a serious injury that affects more than just the neck. Often diagnosed after a rear-end collision, whiplash can also impact the shoulders and even the upper back. It occurs when the nerves in the neck are damaged by the neck suddenly – and rapidly– moving back and forth. Whiplash can take weeks or months to fully heal and may require medication and physical therapy. It can impact a person’s ability to work, take care of their home and family, and enjoy their usual quality of life.
• Pinched Nerves: According to the Mayo Clinic, a pinched nerve occurs when “too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues, such as bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons.” This can happen to any nerve in the body and may cause pain to radiate from one area of the body to another. For instance, a pinched nerve in the neck may cause pain in the arms or hands, while a pinched nerve in the lower back may cause pain in the legs or feet. Depending on the location of the nerve, the severity of the injury, and the level of pain and impact on other parts of the body, a pinched nerve may require surgery and/or physical therapy to heal. It can take weeks or months before the nerve damage fully heals, the pain is gone, and normal feeling and movement in any affected extremities are

A car accident can also cause permanent nerve damage, such as:

• Peripheral Neuropathy: The nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord are known as peripheral nerves. These nerves transmit impulses from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body. Damage to the peripheral nerves is known as peripheral neuropathy and interferes with the body’s ability to send those impulses. This can cause numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in the extremities, such as the hands and feet.
• Neurotmesis: A type of nerve damage that essentially involves the nerve being amputated – that is, cut through or completely severed. The result is sensory and motor issues in the muscles, skin, and nerves of a certain area of the body, essentially paralysis in that region as the nerve is no longer connected and, therefore, cannot transmit impulses to and from the affected area. Neurotmesis is the most serious type of nerve damage, as it is incurable and can be incredibly painful. Surgery is often recommended as treatment but cannot do more than help alleviate the pain.

Whether you or a loved one have suffered nerve damage from a car accident, you need someone who understands everything that is at stake. Nerve damage can impact every aspect of your life, and you may need ongoing medical treatment as a result of your injuries. It is imperative that you seek the advice of a Boston car accident lawyer knowledgeable about cases involving nerve damage.

What are the signs and symptoms of nerve damage from a car accident?

There are several signs and symptoms that may indicate nerve damage, but it is important to note that this type of injury does not present in exactly the same way in every person. If you experience any of the following common symptoms of nerve damage, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible:

• Burning sensation
• Inability to move certain muscles
• Loss of balance
• Loss of feeling in a certain area of the body
• Muscle spasms
• Numbness or tingling sensation
• Severe pain in specific areas of the body
• Shock-like sensations
• Slow reflexes
• Weakness

Some nerve damage can cause long-term consequences. It depends on the type and severity of the damage, as well as when it was diagnosed and how it responds to treatment. Diagnosing nerve damage as soon as you notice symptoms is important, as it may provide doctors with more opportunities to treat the damage before it worsens.

What to do if you or a loved one suffered nerve damage in a Boston car accident

If you or someone you love were injured in a car accident and are now suffering from nerve damage, you may be able to recover compensation. The experienced Boston car accident lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck understand how an injury like nerve damage can impact not only your health but your career, your financial security, your ability to take care of your family, and your overall quality of life. We work to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Boston auto accident lawyers – give us a call or complete our contact form.