Car accidents can cause immediately apparent injuries, such as fractures and lacerations, but some injuries may not be noticeable in the aftermath of the accident when trauma and adrenaline mask the early symptoms. Nerve damage following a car accident can be just as serious as other car accident injuries but insurance companies commonly dispute these claims due to delayed diagnosis. Remember to speak to an experienced accident attorney in Everett following your car accident. How does nerve damage occur in Washington car accidents, and what are the long-term impacts?
How Do Car Accidents Cause Nerve Damage?
The crash force of an accident puts tremendous stress on the body which continues moving forward at the car’s rate of speed until instantly halted and snapped back against the seat by the seatbelt and airbag. At the same time, the interior structure of the car may collapse inward on vehicle occupants from the impact. Nerve damage from car accidents commonly results from blunt force trauma, deep lacerations, punctures, fractures, or soft-tissue damage with swelling and internal bleeding.
Understanding Nerve Damage After a Washington Car Accident
The human body houses bundles of nerves extending down and outward from the brain and spinal cord throughout the body. Different types of nerves are responsible for various functions such as the following:
- Sensory nerves send signals to the brain to interpret feelings from touch, heat, and cold. Damaging this type of nerve causes effects like numbness and tingling.
- Motor nerves are responsible for movement when the brain sends signals down the spinal cord to the appropriate muscle group. Damage to motor nerves interferes with movement or causes paralysis. If you have spinal damage, make sure to speak with an experienced Everett spinal cord injury lawyer.
- Autonomic nerves control involuntary bodily functions like the heartbeat and digestive system.
Depending on the severity of nerve damage in a car accident, the effects may be immediately noticeable. For instance, severing the nerves in the spinal cord causes paralysis below the location of the injury. Other damage may become increasingly apparent during the days and weeks after the accident as symptoms worsen.
Common Types of Nerve Damage From Car Accidents
Nerve damage from a car accident is commonly caused by pinched nerves, whiplash, the complete severing of a nerve (neurotmesis), peripheral nerve injury (neuropraxia), and herniated discs.
Peripheral neuropathy describes nerve damage to nerves outside of the spinal cord and brain, commonly noticed in hands and feet after a car accident with symptoms like numbness, tingling, and burning sensations.
Symptoms of Nerve Damage After a Car Accident In Washington
Injury victims commonly miss nerve damage symptoms in the immediate chaotic aftermath of an accident, especially when there are more obvious emergency injuries or life-threatening conditions. However, nerve damage symptoms last long after other injuries heal. Symptoms of nerve damage after a car accident include the following:
- Numbness, tingling, burning, or prickling sensations
- Shooting pains
- Electrical-shock sensations
- Pain radiating to other locations away from the point of injury
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle spasms
- Slow reflexes or lack of reflexes
- Headaches
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Sexual dysfunction
- Paralysis
- Muscle atrophy
Nerve damage is permanent but many types of nerve damage are managed with medications, physical therapy, and surgery.
How Can a Washington Car Accident Lawyer Help?
Nerve injuries are painful and problematic. Depending on the severity of the injury, it may have long-term impacts on the victim’s life. Call a personal injury lawyer in Everett from Wells Trumbull for the experienced representation you need to recover the maximum compensation available to you for damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering or disability.