Nerve Damage After Car Accidents in Kentucky | Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer

Signs of Nerve Damage After a Car Accident in Kentucky

In a single recent year, more than 100,000 car accidents occurred throughout the state of Kentucky, according to the Kentucky State Police. Many of these accidents resulted in severe injuries, including nerve damage.

Nerve damage disrupts the body’s communication systems by interfering with signals between the brain and other parts of the body. The disruption can lead to symptoms like numbness, tingling, pain, and muscle weakness, which can appear soon after the accident or develop over time. Recognizing these signs early allows for a timely diagnosis and can improve the chance of effective treatment.

The personal injury lawyers at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer understand the challenges that nerve damage can bring – and we have the Kentucky Courage needed to seek the compensation you deserve. If you have nerve damage from an accident caused by someone else’s wrongful actions, you shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden of your recovery alone.

Nerve Damage from a Car Accident

The nervous system controls nearly every function in the body by transmitting signals between the brain, spinal cord, and other body parts. It includes sensory nerves that manage sensations like touch and temperature, motor nerves that direct muscle movements, and autonomic nerves that control functions like breathing and digestion. When nerves sustain damage in a car accident, it can affect any of these systems, possibly leading to sensory changes, movement issues, and disrupted bodily functions.

Car accidents can cause nerve damage in several ways. Compression injuries can happen if the crash puts intense pressure on nerves, sometimes through swelling or trauma to nearby bones and tissues. Stretch injuries can occur if sudden, forceful movements pull or overstretch nerves. Severe accidents can even tear nerves in two. These injuries can lead to conditions like compression neuropathy, where prolonged pressure damages the nerve, or neuroma, where nerve tears cause painful growths.

Diagnosing nerve damage after a car accident can be difficult because symptoms often do not appear right away. Many people start to notice numbness, tingling, or weakness only days or even weeks after the crash. These delays can complicate diagnosis and treatment, so prompt medical attention is crucial to assess and address any underlying nerve injuries after a wreck.

Signs and Symptoms of Nerve Damage After a Car Crash

Various signs and symptoms can indicate you suffered nerve damage in a car accident. Nerves carry signals between the brain and body, so any disruption can lead to a range of effects, including:

Numbness – People with nerve damage often experience numbness, a loss of sensation in specific areas of the body. Numbness can make it challenging to feel temperature changes, textures, or even light touch, which can increase the risk of unintentional injuries. It commonly affects the fingers, hands, arms, legs, and feet.
Tingling and burning sensations – Another common symptom of nerve damage is a tingling or pins and needles sensation, often accompanied by a burning feeling. The symptoms can occur intermittently or persist and cause discomfort and frustration. Many people describe the sensation as uncomfortable and unsettling, especially if it disrupts daily activities or sleep.
Sharp or radiating pain – Some people feel sharp, shooting, or radiating pain following nerve damage. The pain often originates at the injury site but can extend along the path of affected nerves. The intensity can range from mild discomfort to severe, intense pain. Nerve pain often differs from muscle or joint pain and can worsen with certain movements or activities.
Muscle weakness – Nerve damage can lead to muscle weakness, as nerves control muscle movement and strength. People experiencing weakness often find it harder to grip objects, walk steadily, or perform tasks that require precise muscle control. Muscle weakness can affect different parts of the body depending on the nerves involved.
Paralysis – In severe cases, nerve damage can lead to partial or complete paralysis, where the affected area loses all movement or function. It can occur if nerves that control specific muscle groups get severely damaged. Paralysis can range from localized paralysis of a finger or toe to widespread paralysis of an arm or leg.
Sensory changes – People with nerve damage often experience unusual sensory changes, such as increased sensitivity to touch or even mild pressure. Normal sensations might feel amplified, causing discomfort or pain with ordinary activities. Some people also lose certain sensations entirely, making it hard to sense pressure or temperature changes.
Muscle spasms and twitching – Uncontrolled muscle spasms or twitches can signal nerve damage. Twitching can happen randomly and often becomes more noticeable when the muscles are relaxed. The involuntary movements can affect small or large muscles, cause discomfort and embarrassment, and potentially worsen with fatigue or stress.
Abnormal reflexes – Reflex changes like reduced or heightened reflex responses could indicate nerve damage. Reflexes are essential in balance and movement control, so any abnormalities can lead to physical instability. Doctors often test reflexes to assess nerve function, with diminished or exaggerated responses providing clues about the affected areas.
Internal pain or discomfort – Nerve damage can also cause less visible symptoms, like deep, internal pain or aching in certain body parts. Unlike muscle or joint pain, this internal pain doesn’t always correlate directly with physical movement. It often feels dull or persistent, which can increase overall discomfort and stress.

It Is Important to Seek Medical Attention for Nerve Damage After a Car Accident

Seeking medical attention as soon as possible after a serious car accident can make a significant difference in identifying and treating injuries, even if initial symptoms appear minor. Some injuries, like nerve damage, might not show immediate signs. Nerve damage symptoms like numbness, tingling, and weakness often develop gradually, sometimes days or weeks after the crash. Early evaluations can catch these subtle signs before damage worsens, which could improve recovery potential and prevent long-term effects.

An early diagnosis and prompt treatment plan offer the best chance for recovery from a nerve injury. Doctors can use imaging studies, nerve conduction tests, and physical exams to identify nerve issues. Once they diagnose a problem, they can prescribe therapies and treatments that target specific types of damage and improve the likelihood of a full recovery. Medical documentation from these timely checkups can also provide essential evidence if you pursue a nerve damage claim. Records from doctors, tests, and treatments can clearly link the accident and your injuries.

Specialists like neurologists and physiatrists can diagnose and treat nerve injuries. Neurologists focus on nervous system disorders, while physiatrists specialize in rehabilitation and physical recovery. With their expertise, these professionals can offer therapies, medications, and even surgery, if necessary, tailoring treatments to a patient’s unique condition.

Feeling Symptoms of Nerve Damage Long After Your Accident?

Sometimes, people experience symptoms of nerve damage long after a car accident. You might start to feel tingling, numbness, pain, or muscle weakness weeks or even months after the crash. This delay can happen because nerve damage doesn’t always present itself immediately. Some injuries take time to develop as your body reacts to the trauma.

If you didn’t get medical treatment right after the accident, don’t ignore these new symptoms. Seek prompt medical attention to determine if your symptoms relate to the accident and whether you need treatment to prevent further complications.

You might still have options to pursue a legal case even if the accident happened a while ago. In Kentucky, the deadline for car accident cases is two years from the date of the crash, but certain factors, like delayed symptoms, could impact the time limit. You should consult our lawyers for help understanding the filing window that applies to your case and any exceptions that could extend the deadline. Our knowledgeable nerve damage lawyers can also gather evidence and build a strong case to seek compensation for your injuries and ongoing medical needs.

Can You Get Compensation for Nerve Damage from a Car Crash?

Yes. Nerve damage from a car accident can result in severe conditions that impact your ability to work, perform daily tasks, or enjoy life without pain. When nerves sustain damage from trauma in a car accident, the effects can last for weeks or months or even permanently affect physical function and quality of life. Recognizing the signs of nerve damage, such as tingling, numbness, weakness, and sharp pain, is crucial for people involved in car accidents in Kentucky. Even if initial symptoms seem minor, immediate medical attention can timely identify injuries and provide the right treatment to prevent possible complications.

If someone else’s misconduct contributed to the accident, you could have the right to compensation for your nerve damage. Compensation might include coverage of medical expenses, such as doctor visits, surgeries, and the physical therapy you need to address nerve damage. You can also claim compensation for lost wages and reduced earning potential if the injury disrupts your ability to work. Additionally, compensation for pain and suffering can account for the physical and emotional toll of living with nerve damage.

A Kentucky personal injury lawyer from Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can help you explore your options and determine the best course of action for your case. We can also handle the claims process while you focus on recovery and provide the support and representation you need to seek fair compensation for your injuries.

Get Kentucky Courage on Your Side After Nerve Damage in an Auto Accident

If you are dealing with car accident nerve damage after a crash in Kentucky, call Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer at (877) 809-5352 or contact us online now for a free consultation. A personal injury attorney from our law firm is ready to analyze your unique situation, answer your questions, and discuss how you can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more.