When you get into a car wreck, you check for the obvious stuff first. You look for bleeding, bruises, or broken bones. But some of the most life-altering injuries stay hidden under the skin. Nerve damage is one of those silent issues. It can change how you move, feel, and live your life.
Your nerves are like the electrical wiring of your body. They carry messages from your brain to your muscles and organs. When an accident damages these wires, those messages get garbled or stop entirely. This can lead to long-term pain or even permanent loss of function.
What are the common signs of nerve damage after a car accident?
If you were recently in a crash, you might feel a bit off. Maybe your hand feels heavy or your foot feels cold. These are more than just “soreness.” Neuropathy, or nerve injury, shows up in many ways.
The most frequent signs of nerve damage after a car accident include numbness and tingling. You might feel like your arm has “fallen asleep,” but the feeling never goes away. Some people describe a burning sensation or sharp, shock-like pains that shoot down their limbs.
You should also watch for physical changes. Muscle weakness or spasms are big red flags. If you find yourself tripping over your own feet or dropping things more often, your motor nerves might be struggling. In very severe cases, you could lose control over your bladder or bowels. This happens when the autonomic nerves, which handle your “automatic” body functions, get hit.
The five degrees of nerve injury
Doctors often use the Sunderland classification system to determine the severity of a nerve injury. Knowing which grade you have helps you understand your recovery path.
First-degree damage is the most common and the least scary. It usually involves a localized area that feels numb or tingly. The good news is that these usually heal on their own without surgery.
Second-degree damage is a bit tougher. This happens when the axons, the long fibers that carry impulses, lose their connection. Third-degree damage is even more severe, affecting the supporting structures of the nerve. It is hard for doctors to tell exactly how well you will recover from this stage.
Fourth and fifth-degree injuries are the most serious. Fourth-degree damage often involves thick scarring that blocks the nerve from fixing itself. Surgery or nerve grafts are usually the only way to get back your movement. Fifth-degree damage means the nerve is completely torn or severed. Without a surgeon, these injuries stay permanent.
How car accidents cause permanent nerve injury
Car crashes are violent. Even if your car does not look totaled, the force of the impact can do several things to your internal wiring.
Nerves often get pinched or compressed when your body hits the dashboard or the steering wheel. Pieces of glass or debris can act like tiny knives, cutting through nerve clusters. Even the safety features designed to save you can cause issues. A seatbelt that locks tight or an airbag that explodes can crush nerves in your chest or shoulders.
Whiplash is a common culprit, too. When your head jerks back and forth, the nerves in your neck and spine get stretched or squeezed. This often leads to chronic headaches or pain that radiates down your arms. If you were a pedestrian or a cyclist hit by a car, the damage is often worse because there is no metal frame to protect you.
Why carpal tunnel is a bigger deal than you think
Many people hear “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome” and think of someone typing too much at an office job. In a car accident, this condition is much more serious. It happens when the median nerve in your wrist is crushed or squeezed during the impact.
If left alone, this condition gets worse. It can lead to a total loss of hand function. Imagine not being able to hold a coffee cup or button your shirt. Because there is no simple cure for severe cases, this “minor” injury can end a career or a hobby in an instant.
Debunking the myth of pain and nerve damage
One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking that no pain means no injury. This is a dangerous myth. Your brain does not actually have pain receptors. If you have a head injury or a brain trauma, you might feel fine even if there is significant damage.
Sometimes, what feels like a leg injury is actually a brain injury. Studies show that damage to the brain can cause you to feel pain in other parts of your body. If you wait to see a doctor because “it doesn’t hurt that bad,” you might miss the window for the best treatment. Nerve tissue is notoriously slow to heal. If you don’t move quickly, some treatments might not work at all.
How a Las Vegas car accident lawyer helps your recovery
Proving that a car accident caused your nerve damage is not easy. Insurance companies like to say your pain is “pre-existing” or “all in your head.” This is where a legal team makes a difference.
We look at your medical records, like CT scans, MRIs, and MRI neurography. These tests show the actual physical disruption of your nerves. We also use electrical conduction tests to see if signals are still moving through your body correctly.
Beyond the medicine, we look at your life. Nerve damage often means you can’t do your job like you used to. We talk to your employers and coworkers to show how your injury changed your ability to earn a living. We also work with expert witnesses like neurologists to explain to a jury why your injury is life-changing.
Going through a legal claim is a lot of work when you are trying to heal. We handle the paperwork and the negotiations so you can focus on physical therapy and getting better.
If you are experiencing any of the signs of nerve damage after a car accident, do not ignore them. The legal car accident team at Friedman Injury Law is ready to help you get the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain. You can reach us at (702) 970-4222 for a free consultation. We will look at your case and help you figure out the best way to move forward.
