Nerve damage from car accidents can be severe and life-threatening. Nerves are fragile and can easily be crushed, pinched or compressed. This can lead to long-life emotional, physical, and physiological pain that you may spend a lot of time seeking medication, surgery, and regular check-ups. You may also spend a lot of money on medication because treatment for nerve damage is undoubtedly costly.
Since nerve damage is not quickly diagnosed after a car accident, it can be challenging to seek proper treatment. You may wonder how nerve damage car accident settlements work and how much you could get as compensation for the injury. An experienced Florida car accident attorney at Eltringham Law Group can advise you on nerve damage compensation and help fight for your rights, increasing your possibility of getting a good settlement.
The Degrees of Nerve Damage from Car Accidents
Nerve damage from car accidents is a serious injury. Even mild ones can cause serious pain and other symptoms that may take several weeks to heal. There are first, second, and third-degree injuries depending on severity.
Here are the three degrees of nerve damage from car accidents.
- Neurapraxia: This is the least severe nerve damage from car accidents. The nerves stay intact, typically enhancing full recovery. You may feel a temporary inability to feel the affected area. Even though this injury is the lowest level of damage, it may take up to 12 weeks to fully recover.
- Axonotmesis: This is a slightly more serious injury but minimal interruption of the connective tissue framework. The injury compromises the nerve structure, and the victim may experience long-term or permanent paralysis.
- Neurotmesis: This is the most serious nerve damage from car accidents. The victim will suffer permanent damage because the nerve ruptures and the surrounding tissues get entirely damaged. Surgery may be required.
If you suffered nerve injuries from a car accident, seek medical help immediately to avoid further complications. Remember, treatment is the first step to your recovery.
Common Types of Nerve Damage from Car Accidents
There are different types of nerve damage from car accidents. Each injury occurs depending on where the car accident impact was centered. Here are the most common types of nerve damage from car accidents.
Spinal Nerve Damage
Trauma from a car accident causes numbness around the neck and back. This damages the nerve roots, causing them to branch off. Spinal damage can cause compressed nerves, a condition known as radiculopathy.
Peripheral Nerve Damage
Peripheral nerves are fragile. Any trauma or impact from a car accident can easily damage these nerves, affecting the brain’s ability to communicate with other body organs and muscles. This damage is known as peripheral neuropathy. It is important to seek treatment earlier to prevent nerve complications and permanent damage.
Pinched Nerve
Pinched nerves are also known as compressed nerves. This can occur due to trauma on the body around the nerve, causing a pinched nerve. Pinched nerve injury usually occurs due to high-speed collisions.
The above injuries share similar symptoms, such as pain, tingling, weakness, and numbness.
Symptoms of Potential Nerve Damage after a Crash
Car accident nerve damage can leave accident victims with multiple symptoms, which vary based on the severity of the accident.
Here are the most common symptoms of nerve damage from car accidents:
- Numbness, burning, tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Paralysis and numbness in the fingers and toes
- Burning sensation, throbbing, or shooting pain
- Tingling and sensitivity to touch
- Painful and persistent headaches
- Dry mouth, dry eyes, lack of sweat
- A sudden drop in blood pressure
- Paralysis or lack of body coordination
- Lack of bladder control
- Persistent digestive issues
If you experience any of the above changes or any usual changes in your body that exhibit an issue from nerve damage, seek medical treatment immediately. It is also important to speak to an experienced nerve damage car accident attorney like at Eltringham Law Group, who can help you file an injury claim for compensation.
Understanding Nerve Damage Car Accident Compensation
Every situation is unique regarding nerve damage and car accident settlements. If you incurred serious injuries, you would likely attract a higher settlement, unlike someone who incurred partial damage. You can recover the following in a settlement for car accident nerve damage:
- Medical expenses
- Surgery costs
- Travel expenses to the doctor
- Therapy expenses
- Medical devices
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
It is important to avoid settling with the insurance company too soon because you might move on without compensation for injuries that last a lifetime.
Consider working with an experienced car accident attorney, such as Eltringham Law Group, who understands cases with nerve damage and can negotiate your settlement skillfully with the insurance company.
Contact Experienced Florida Car Accident Attorneys to Compensate Nerve Damage
If you or a loved one suffered nerve damage from a car accident due to negligence from another party, Eltringham Law Group is ready to help handle the case for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
FAQs About Accidents With Nerve Damage
When should I contact a car accident attorney?
It is important to contact a car accident lawyer soon after the accident. Avoid speaking to the insurance company because it might compromise your settlement for car accident nerve damage.
Do insurance companies take nerve damage from car accidents seriously?
Since nerve damage is often invisible and not easily detected, insurance companies may not take it seriously. It is important to seek legal help.
Last updated Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024