Motor vehicle crashes can harm far more than metal and glass. The force of impact can compress, stretch, or even sever delicate nerve fibers throughout the body, leading to life-altering impairments. Victims may find themselves struggling with chronic pain, loss of sensation, weakness, and reduced mobility long after their visible wounds have healed.
At Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas, we've guided countless Virginians through the challenges of nerve injury claims, and we're here to empower you with clear answers and dedicated advocacy when you need it most. Here’s what you need to know about nerve damage from car accidents.
Common Nerve Injuries After Car Accidents
Any trauma that crushes, pulls, or cuts nerve tissue can disrupt vital signals between the brain and body. Some of the most frequently diagnosed nerve injuries after crashes include:
Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve)
Vertebral compression or herniated discs in the neck can pinch the nerve roots branching out to the arms and hands. Symptoms may include:
- Burning or shock-like pain radiating down the arms. Pain can be intermittent or constant.
- Numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms, wrists, or fingers. Fine motor skills, such as writing or buttoning, may become difficult.
- Muscle spasms or tightness in the neck and shoulders. Range of motion may be severely limited.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves) can cause a wide range of symptoms, depending on location and severity:
- Jabbing, freezing, or electric-like pain, especially in the hands and feet. Sensations are often worse at night.
- Extreme sensitivity to touch. Even the weight of a bedsheet can be agonizing.
- Gradual onset of numbness, prickling, or weakness that may spread upward into the legs and arms.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the body, running from the lower back down each leg. Compression or inflammation of this nerve after an accident can cause:
- Sharp, searing, or burning pain anywhere along the nerve path, often extending from the buttock into the thigh and calf.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected leg or foot.
- Intensified pain when sitting, sneezing, or moving the leg.
Severed or Destroyed Nerves
High-impact crashes can wholly or partially tear nerves apart, sometimes to the point of rupturing entire networks that control bodily functions. Paralysis, organ shutdown, and life-threatening autonomic disruptions may result.
How Nerve Damage Affects Your Life—and Your Legal Claim
Unlike broken bones or lacerations, nerve injuries are invisible on MRIs and CT scans. This makes them more challenging to diagnose, document, and ultimately prove to insurance companies.
Nerve damage can also have unpredictable effects and inconsistent recovery trajectories. One person might heal in a few months, while another develops agonizing chronic pain that derails their career and personal life. Insurers are notorious for downplaying these "subjective" impairments.
The lifetime costs of a severe nerve injury can be astronomical, including medical bills, lost income, mobility equipment, home modifications, and pain management needs. Victims may require extensive physical therapy, medications, steroid injections, or even surgery. When an accident leads to permanent disability and diminished earning potential, the stakes are even higher.
Damages You Can Recover for Accident-Related Nerve Injuries
If you've suffered nerve damage due to someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of harm, including:
- Past and future medical expenses related to your injury
- Lost wages for time off work during your physical recovery
- Reduced earning capacity, if your condition affects your ability to work
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Costs of accessibility equipment and accommodations
Proving the extent of these damages often requires testimony from medical experts, vocational specialists, and economists. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you build a compelling case for the full scope of your losses.
Protect Your Health and Rights After a Nerve Injury
To protect your health and legal rights after a nerve injury:
- Seek specialized medical care immediately. Delayed treatment can worsen nerve damage. Keep all appointments and follow your prescribed regimen closely.
- Document your symptoms and limitations. Keep a journal of your pain levels, motor dysfunction, sleep disturbances, and how your condition interferes with daily living.
- Consult an experienced car accident attorney. Never accept an insurance settlement for a nerve injury without understanding the full scope of your damages.
At Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas, we know the physical, emotional, and financial toll that nerve injuries can take on car accident survivors and their families. Let our personal injury legal team handle the legal heavy lifting while you focus on healing. We'll meticulously investigate your case, gather the evidence to prove your damages, and advocate for the full and fair compensation you deserve. From negotiating with insurers to litigating in court, we have the resources and resolve to stand up for your rights at every step.
