When people think about a car accident, motorcycle accident, or even a slip and fall accident, they often picture broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, or deep lacerations. But not every serious injury is immediately visible. One often-overlooked injury that can have life-altering consequences is nerve damage.
The Types of Nerves in Our Body
Nerves are the body's electrical wiring, sending critical signals between the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. Damage to any of these systems can disrupt essential bodily functions.
The three types of nerves are:
- Motor Nerves: These allow movement—everything from picking up objects to walking. Damage can cause muscle weakness, cramps, or mobility problems.
- Sensory Nerves: These deliver information to the brain about sensations like heat, pressure, or pain. Damage can result in tingling, numbness, or chronic pain.
- Autonomic Nerves: These control involuntary functions like heartbeat and digestion. Damage can cause blood pressure issues, digestive problems, and other serious complications.
Nerve damage can happen anywhere in the spinal cord, brain, or throughout the body.
Common Causes of Nerve Damage After Car Accidents
Whiplash is one of the most common ways nerve damage occurs after an accident. The violent snapping motion can stretch or pinch nerves in the neck and upper spine. Severe lacerations can sever nerves directly. Even blunt force trauma—where the body is slammed against a surface—can compress nerves and cause long-term damage.
Common locations of accident-related nerve damage include:
- Lower back
- Middle back
- Neck
- Hands
- Feet
Real-World Examples of Accident-Related Nerve Damage
Rear-end collisions often cause whiplash injuries leading to pinched nerves. Side-impact crashes can crush nerves along the spine or limbs. Even minor fender benders can leave victims with lingering nerve pain if sensitive nerve clusters are involved.
Slip and fall accidents and motorcycle wrecks can also cause devastating nerve injuries, especially when there’s heavy impact to the spine or extremities.
Symptoms of Nerve Damage
Because nerve injuries aren't visible like cuts or bruises, it’s important to watch for symptoms such as:
- Chronic pain
- Tingling or numbness
- Muscle weakness or spasms
- Coordination problems
- Paralysis
- Difficulty controlling bodily functions
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Dry eyes
- Sexual dysfunction
If you’re experiencing unexplained symptoms after an accident, seek medical care right away. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a major difference.
How Nerve Damage Can Affect Daily Life
Nerve damage can touch every part of your life—work, family, and even simple everyday tasks. You may find it hard to drive, dress yourself, cook, or care for loved ones. Chronic pain, numbness, or muscle weakness can limit your independence and drastically reduce your quality of life.
The emotional impact can be just as heavy. Many people experience anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation as they adjust to a new reality shaped by their injuries.
How Much Compensation Is Possible After Nerve Damage?
You may be eligible for two kinds of damages:
- Economic damages: Covers financial losses like medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and future earnings if you can't return to work.
- Noneconomic damages: Covers the emotional and lifestyle impacts, including chronic pain, loss of independence, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Because nerve damage can cause lifelong challenges, it's critical to seek full compensation that accounts for both present and future needs. Insurance companies fight hard against these claims, which is why you need an advocate who fights harder.
Long-Term Prognosis for Accident-Related Nerve Damage
Recovery depends on the severity of the nerve injury. Some cases improve with therapy and time, but others lead to permanent impairment. Severe nerve injuries may require surgeries, long-term medication, and adaptive tools just to regain basic functions.
Filing a claim that accounts for future treatments, reduced work capacity, and ongoing care needs is essential for safeguarding your future.
Neuropathy Diagnosis After an Accident
Doctors diagnose neuropathy—nerve damage that causes pain, weakness, or numbness—using specialized tests. These might include:
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Nerve conduction studies
- Nerve biopsies
- Skin biopsies
A clear diagnosis not only guides your treatment but also strengthens your personal injury claim by linking your symptoms directly to the accident.
Why Should You Hire an Injury Lawyer After an Accident?
Without an experienced attorney, you risk settling for far less than you deserve. Insurance companies use delay tactics and lowball offers to frustrate injured victims into giving up. At Handler, Henning & Rosenberg, we don’t let them get away with it.
We know how to value nerve injury cases properly and build strong claims that maximize your recovery. And we only get paid if we win for you.
Contact the Harrisburg accident attorneys at Handler, Henning & Rosenberg for a free consultation at (888) 498-3023. Let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve after suffering nerve damage from someone else’s negligence.