Our nerves transmit signals between our brains and the rest of our bodies. When they are damaged, communication between the brain and affected body parts is disrupted, which can lead to a range of debilitating symptoms like pain, numbness, weakness, and loss of function.
Virginia car accidents are a common cause of nerve damage, leaving many crash victims with chronic pain and life-changing health complications. At Marks & Harrison, our legal team understands how significant nerve damage can affect your daily life. We’re here to help you seek meaningful compensation for your losses so you can focus on your recovery and move forward with your life.
If someone’s negligence contributed to the accident that caused your nerve damage, contact our office today to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer about your options.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Nerve Damage After a Car Accident?
Nerve damage, also known as neuropathy or peripheral nerve injury, is a condition that develops when the nerves in the body get destroyed or disrupted.
There are three types of nerves:
- Motor nerves regulate muscle activity.
- Sensory nerves relay information about touch, temperature, and pain.
- Autonomic nerves regulate automatic bodily functions, like breathing.
Nerve damage can cause a wide range of symptoms depending on which nerves are affected and the severity of the injury. Some of the most common signs of nerve damage from car accidents include:
- Numbness
- Tingling or muscle weakness
- Pain
- Muscle atrophy
- Headaches
- Extreme sensitivity of the skin
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Muscle spasms
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Paralysis
Are There Different Types of Nerve Damage?
There are five distinct categories of nerve damage that differ based on the type of trauma that occurs. According to the Sunderland classification system, the different types of nerve damage include:
- First-degree damage – This damage is reversible and typically does not require surgical intervention. Damage is localized to one specific area.
- Second-degree damage – Second-degree damage means a loss of continuity between the axons within nerves. Axons are fibers that carry nerve impulses away from cells to other body parts.
- Third-degree damage – With third-degree nerve damage, there is trauma to the axons and other supporting nerve structures. The prognosis for these injuries can be challenging to predict.
- Fourth-degree damage – Fourth-degree nerve damage typically involves significant damage to the axons and surrounding nerve tissues, often to the point of scarring. This scarring can prevent nerve regeneration, and surgical nerve grafting could be necessary to restore function.
- Firth-degree damage – Fifth-degree nerve injuries are the most serious and typically only include complete lacerations of nerve tissue or severe stretching injuries. Surgery is the only option to repair a fifth-degree nerve injury.
How Can a Car Accident Cause Nerve Damage?
Car accidents are often violent events that can cause significant nerve damage in several ways. Many car accidents cause nerve damage by directly impacting the nerves of the spine. For example, if a person’s head or chest hits the dashboard or steering wheel during a collision, it can compress, damage, or even sever spinal nerves in the neck or back.
One of the most common injuries reported in car accidents is whiplash, which usually involves mild to moderate nerve damage. Whiplash injuries occur when the neck and head suddenly and forcefully jerk back and forth in a collision, which can compress and damage nerves.
Car accidents sometimes result in traumatic brain injuries, which can cause nerve damage by disrupting signals between the brain and the body. Lacerations and other traumatic wounds can also cause nerve damage by severing individual nerves or nerve clusters.
How Is Nerve Damage Diagnosed?
Diagnosing nerve damage starts with assessing the injury site and the patient’s underlying symptoms. Physicians have many diagnostic tools at their disposal that can detect nerve damage, including:
- Computerized tomography (CT) scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests
- MRI neurography scans
Some physicians use electrical conduction tests to determine whether electrical impulses can still pass through certain nerves. A disruption in the passage of these currents can indicate nerve damage.
How Is Nerve Damage Treated?
The treatment for a nerve damage injury will differ depending on the severity and location of the damage. Mild nerve injuries might only require rest and time to heal. On the other hand, extensive nerve damage could require surgical intervention or nerve grafts to repair damage and restore function.
Some nerve damage is irreversible. For example, spinal cord injuries can result in permanent paralysis. A nerve damage injury lawyer can help you account for the full extent of your losses and demand fair compensation on your behalf.
Can I Be Compensated for My Nerve Damage Injuries?
The value of your nerve damage claim can vary depending on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of your injuries. With a successful claim, you might be able to recover money for the following personal and financial losses:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
Is There a Time Limit in Virginia for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit for My Nerve Damage?
In Virginia, the time limit for personal injury lawsuits is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, the deadline could be even tighter in some cases. Failing to file your injury lawsuit within the appropriate time limit could jeopardize your ability to recover fair compensation. You should talk to an experienced Virginia personal injury attorney about your case as soon as possible to avoid losing money to preventable administrative errors.
Contact a Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer
Nerve damage can be painful, debilitating, and life-changing. If you got hurt in a car accident caused by someone else’s actions, contact a skilled personal injury attorney at Marks & Harrison right away. Our legal team can protect your rights and help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free initial consultation session.
