A car accident in Albuquerque has the potential to cause many serious, debilitating and even permanent injuries. One example is nerve damage or a nerve injury, which can result in lasting pain, tingling, numbness and dysfunction throughout the body. Car crash victims who are diagnosed with nerve injuries may be entitled to financial compensation.
How Can a Car Accident Cause Nerve Damage?
When a car crash occurs, the occupants inside the motor vehicle may sustain many serious injuries from the forces exerted against the body in the collision. A nerve injury or nerve damage may arise from the following:
- Blunt-force trauma: direct impact between a part of the body and an object inside the vehicle, such as the dashboard or steering column, can cause nerve damage by the force of impact or nerve compression
- Lacerations: deep cuts, such as from broken glass flying throughout the vehicle, can sever a victim’s nerves and cause permanent nerve damage.
- Crushing damage: any part of the body getting crushed in a car accident could lead to severe compression or pinching of the nerves in that area, resulting in nerve damage.
Many crash scenarios can cause the nerves of the body to be torn, stretched, severed, pinched or compressed. Symptoms of a nerve injury can include pain, numbness, tingling, a burning sensation, weakness in certain muscles, loss of balance, muscle spasms and slowed reflexes.
Different Types of Nerve Injuries
The nerves of the body play an important role in enabling certain functions, such as motor function, autonomic bodily functions and processing sensory information. The type of nerve that gets injured, as well as the type of injury, can determine what symptoms and effects a victim experiences.
Neuropraxia is a temporary type of nerve injury where the nerve’s function is disrupted by overstretching or pressure. Axonotmesis refers to more severe nerve damage that takes longer to heal, but still keeps the nerve intact. Neurotmesis is the most severe type, where the nerve is completely severed. A victim may suffer permanent nerve damage from neurotmesis.
Seeking Financial Compensation for Nerve Damage Caused By a Car Accident
New Mexico is a fault-based car insurance state, meaning the person or party at fault for an automobile accident is held financially responsible, or liable, for a victim’s losses. If a victim sustained a nerve injury, the at-fault party’s car insurance provider will pay for losses such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Surgeries, therapies and rehabilitation
- Medications and medical devices
- Short-term or long-term disability
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
The types of damages available and the value of a nerve injury claim will depend on the circumstances, such as the severity of the injury and whether the victim will have to live with any long-term nerve damage.
How Long Does Nerve Damage Take to Heal After a Car Accident?
The length of time the recovery process from a nerve injury will take depends on the patient’s unique type of nerve damage, the severity or extent of the damage caused by the car accident, and how well the patient responds to treatments. Complete healing can take anywhere from a few days to many years.
Every nerve injury case is unique, but average recovery timelines are around:
- A few days to three months: mild nerve injuries
- Several months to a year: moderate nerve injuries
- 12 to 18 months: severe nerve injuries or tears
- Two years or longer: catastrophic nerve injuries
Unlike injuries such as broken bones, nerve injuries do not always heal in predictable patterns. They can have drawn-out recovery timelines that change based on the nerves affected, how soon the victim gets medical care and many other factors. Sadly, some patients may never fully regain normal nerve function.
How Is Nerve Damage Diagnosed After a Car Accident?
In the aftermath of a car accident, a nerve injury may present in many different ways. Nerve compressions, damage and tears can cause a wide range of symptoms. In many cases, victims will notice signs of a nerve injury in the first day or two after the car accident, such as sharp or stabbing pains, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, or a burning sensation. In other cases, it may take several days for symptoms to arise.
Upon visiting a neurologist for a potential nerve injury, the physician will conduct a physical exam and ask about the victim’s symptoms and experience. Additional testing will then be ordered to help diagnose a nerve injury. Common neurological tests include electromyography (EMG), MRIs, ultrasounds and nerve conduction studies.
Once the neurologist has tested the patient’s sensations, reflexes, balance, muscle strength and nerve electrical activity, this should create a detailed picture of how the patient’s nerves are functioning and if there are any signs of impairment from an auto accident. If so, the doctor will diagnose the appropriate nerve injury or condition and recommend a treatment plan from there.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident That Caused Nerve Damage?
If you get diagnosed with a nerve injury after a car accident in New Mexico, it is important to carefully document your injury, medical care, treatments and related costs. Contact the doctor’s office or hospital and request the full transcripts of your medical records. You can also request a letter from your doctor describing your nerve injury and explaining your diagnosis.
Keep up with your treatment plan. Do not skip doctor’s appointments or deviate from your neurologist’s recommendations for recovery. Any lapse in proper medical care could give a car insurance company a reason to deny your claim or reduce your payout based on the argument that you “failed to mitigate your damages.”
Start a personal injury journal where you record how you feel day-to-day. Describe your symptoms and daily pain level, as well as any long-term or permanent nerve damage. Your personal testimony can help support a pain and suffering claim. Then, when you’re ready to seek financial compensation for your car accident nerve injury, contact a lawyer from The Fine Law Firm.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Albuquerque Today
Navigating the insurance claims process after a car accident that causes a nerve injury can be difficult on your own. Hire an experienced injury lawyer in Albuquerque to represent you during this difficult time so that you can rest and focus on healing while your lawyer advocates for you.
An attorney can help you seek fair compensation for a nerve injury that allows you to rebuild your life and move forward. Contact us today for more information – we offer free case consultations.