Can Car Accidents Cause Nerve Damage?

The body’s nervous system is composed of the brain, spinal cord, and over 7 trillion other nerves which allow your body to properly function. Your nerves communicate with one another to control and protect your body’s distinct functions such as when you walk, speak, or breath.

Out of all the injuries that someone might sustain in a car accident, nerve damage is often forgotten. However, our best car accident lawyers in New York say your nerves can be seriously damaged in a car accident; affecting the way your body operates and potentially causing permanent or disabling injuries. Therefore, it is crucial that you understand the danger of nerve damage and how it happens.

Claim A Free Consultation

  • Contact The Barnes Firm

    Fields marked with an * are required

Types of Nerve Damage You Can Sustain in a Car Crash

Nerve damage might not be your top concern after surviving a car crash; however, it happens with regularity.

There are three main types of nerves in the body. These include:

  • Motor nerves: control your movements and actions
  • Sensory nerves: allows you to feel sensations l
  • Automatic nerves: control involuntary or partly voluntary actions

Each of these are essential to everything you do; and, if damaged, can impact the quality and productivity of your life. Unfortunately, nearly 25% of nerve damage cases were caused by car accidents. Types of nerve damage include:

  • Peripheral neuropathy: damages nerves that send messages back and forth from the brain and spinal cord
  • Radiculopathy: pinching of nerves in the spinal region
  • Myelopathy: severe pressure on the spinal cord, mostly in the neck and lower back

Even just one nerve that is damaged could induce excruciating pain, although more minor bruising will heal over time. On the other hand, cut or crushed nerves may require surgical attention to fix, which does not guarantee that you will fully recover your functionality.

Claim A Free Consultation
Male Motorist With A Whiplash Injury after a Car Crash Getting Out Of the Vehicle before calling The Barnes Firm Injury Attorneys

What Causes Nerve Damage in a Car Accident?

Your body is too fragile to withstand the force of impact that occurs in a car accident. The excessive trauma to parts of your body that is caused in the collision can compress, stretch, or tear nerves in your body. Common causes of nerve damage in a car accident include:

  • Whiplash: the quick movement of your muscles and tendons can cause nerves to strain or tear
  • Lacerations: abrasions or bruises on your skin could be deep enough to cause your nerves to sever
  • Blunt trauma: the direct contact of your body to a hard object can significantly rupture nerves

Even if you only feel minor pain after an accident, it’s important that you get the medical assistance that you need. Our best car accident attorneys in New York City say severe pain may not manifest right away, and a doctor might be able to pick up on trauma before it impacts your life.

Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Nerve Damage

Nerve damage can happen anywhere in the body, but the most common locations are in the back, neck, hands, and feet. Since nerve damage is not visible, you might be unaware as to what’s going on inside your body. Symptoms of nerve damage vary depending on the location, still the most common signs of nerve damage include:

  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Shooting pain
  • Weak muscles
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness
  • Dry eyes
  • Constipation
  • Absent reflexes

If you were in a car accident and start experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible. A doctor who helps car accident victims will be able to run a series of tests to determine if nerve damage is what’s causing your pain.

a woman holding her hand out in front of her suffering from pain in her wrist after a car accident
a woman holding her hand out in front of her suffering from pain in her wrist after a car accident

Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Nerve Damage

Nerve damage can happen anywhere in the body, but the most common locations are in the back, neck, hands, and feet. Since nerve damage is not visible, you might be unaware as to what’s going on inside your body. Symptoms of nerve damage vary depending on the location, still the most common signs of nerve damage include:

  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Shooting pain
  • Weak muscles
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness
  • Dry eyes
  • Constipation
  • Absent reflexes

If you were in a car accident and start experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible. A doctor who helps car accident victims will be able to run a series of tests to determine if nerve damage is what’s causing your pain.

female doctor

Can You Fix Nerve Damage?

To diagnose nerve damage, doctors will run a series of tests that scan and record how your nerves are reacting, including:

  • Neurological examinations
  • Electromyography (EMG)
  • Nerve conduction studies (NCS)
  • MRI and CT

Depending on the severity of your nerve damage, you may not be able to regain proper function. However, with timely treatment, you may be able to reduce the pain and almost get back to your regular lifestyle. Treatment options vary, but you will most likely have to undergo physical therapy, take medication, or possibly have surgery if the pain doesn’t subside.

While diagnosing and treating nerve damage can be expensive and scary, you must not let that stop you from getting the necessary care you need. Instead, let a skilled personal injury attorney handle the details of your case and help you obtain compensation for your losses.

Recover Maximum Compensation with Compassionate New York Personal Injury Attorneys

Nerve damage can affect your ability to perform daily tasks and fulfill obligations. Even simple tasks like tying your shoes might feel impossible. If you were in an accident and you experience pain, get medical attention, then contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Attorneys with The Barnes Firm can help you get your life back after sustaining injuries due to negligence.

At the Barnes Firm, we have one goal in mind: to recover maximum compensation for your losses. With notable awards like Best Lawyers in America, you can trust our best car accident attorneys in New York will work vigorously to get the most favorable outcome. Get started on your recovery by calling our firm or completing our online contact form.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000

Claim A Free Consultation
en English
en Englishes Spanish