Proving Your Nerve Damage Was Caused By a Car Accident

Not all injuries sustained in a car crash are visible. However, even internal injuries, like nerve damage, can result in long-term chronic pain and extensive treatment. Unfortunately, medical care is not cheap.

How can you prove the nerve damage you suffered was caused by your car accident and not something else? What evidence will help link your nerve damage to the crash so you can recover the compensation you need?

Jay Trucks has been helping injured victims for a long time. Our team of car accident lawyers in Grand Rapids is knowledgeable about the law in Michigan. We know what evidence is needed to prove your claim and how to build a strong case on your behalf.

Contact our law offices anytime – we always have someone available to take your call. If we represent you, there is nothing for you to pay up front or while we manage your case.

FREE case review. (989) 244-0440

What Type of Nerve Damage Could Happen in a Car Accident?

Car accidents cause victims to be jolted around, which could cause a lot of physical damage. This is especially true during a crash at higher speeds. However, even more minor collisions can cause nerve damage.

Some common ways a car crash could cause nerve damage include:

• Pinched nerves: Victims often experience this type of nerve injury because they may tense their body prior to the crash. Sometimes this damage could be relatively mild and resolve within weeks. However, if the injury causes inflammation, it could lead to pinched nerves. If the victim does not seek treatment, it could result in chronic pain issues.
• Herniated discs: Back and spinal column injuries are common in a car crash. The discs, which help provide cushioning between the vertebrae, can become herniated or ruptured during a collision. Without that cushioning, the disc can put pressure on nearby nerves. This injury can be extremely painful and the damage can be permanent.
• Whiplash damage: Whiplash injuries get a bad rap in any injury claim. However, those who sustain this type of nerve damage in a car crash know how painful this injury can be. The forceful back-and-forth movement that happens in many car crashes can cause nerves in the neck to become torn or stretched. If these nerves become inflamed or swollen, the victim may have a significantly reduced ability to move his or her head.

What Are Some Common Signs of Nerve Damage?

In the first few hours after a car accident, the victim may be completely unaware of any pain. However, even as soon as the next day, victims with nerve damage may begin to experience various signs that something is wrong. This is why it is so important to get a medical examination immediately after a crash, even if you do not see any visible injuries.

Common signs that a car accident victim sustained some type of nerve damage injury may include:

• Tingling or burning sensations
• Shooting or radiating pain
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness and spasms
• Slowed or limited reflexes
• Interrupted gait, such as a foot drop
• Balance difficulties
• Sexual dysfunction
• Chronic head or neck pain
• Bladder or bowel control issues
• Skin sensitivity
• Twitching

What Evidence May Prove the Accident Caused Your Nerve Damage?

Proving you suffered nerve damage is difficult. Part of the reason for this is that some nerve damage, such as a whiplash injury, is not visible. Even when you have a diagnosis, it can be challenging to prove the injury was the result of your car accident.

To help support your claim of nerve damage from a car accident, there are some steps you can take, including:

Seek Medical Care

Victims who get medical care immediately may have an easier time linking their injury to the crash. This is an important step in helping to prove you have a case. Your diagnosis and treatment will be documented in your medical records and can be useful in supporting your claim.

That said, it is not enough to see a doctor right after your accident. Once you are diagnosed and prescribed a treatment plan, it is critical you follow it. Victims who fail to show up for physical therapy or follow-up appointments can seriously hurt their ability to recover compensation. This is because people who are in pain seek treatment so they can get better. If someone is not actively seeking treatment, the insurance company will likely argue that you are overstating your injuries.

Discuss Your Injuries With Your Doctor

What you tell your doctor about your injuries during each appointment is important. It can be useful in helping him or her to better diagnose and treat you, which can speed up your recovery. Additionally, these details get added to your medical records, which can also help to support your claim.

Keep a Journal of Your Injuries

Tracking your injuries, from when and how they occurred to when your symptoms first appeared is important. Continuing to track the progress of your injuries as you recover could also help to provide critical evidence that supports your injury case.

For instance:

• Document consistently: Whether daily or weekly, it is important to not let more than a couple of days go by between your entries.
• Be accurate: Be concise, but accurate. An example might be: You had shooting pains in your arm that prevented you from being able to wash your dishes, dress yourself, etc.
• Be honest: Rate your pain between one and ten, but do not exaggerate. It is also important not to play down the level of pain you are having, however. Just be as honest as possible.
• Detail how your injuries are affecting your daily life: Can you do activities you used to enjoy? Is your injury affecting your relationships? If so, how? Again, be concise and to the point.

Seek Help From a Qualified Attorney

Car crash attorneys handle these types of cases every day. This means they have extensive knowledge of what to expect from an injury claim. They also know how to build a strong case and develop a strategy that will help them to recover the compensation you need.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Expect From a Nerve Damage Injury?

In addition to the compensation from your no-fault benefits claim, you may be eligible to pursue a third-party lawsuit. Your attorney will determine whether your nerve damage and other injuries are severe enough to meet the state’s injury threshold. This may include consulting with your treating physician, as well as a medical expert.

If eligible, you could receive compensation that covers your medical costs, both immediate and long-term, lost wages and more. You could also receive compensation for your pain and suffering damages.

Call Our Firm to Discuss Your Nerve Damage Injury After a Crash

Nerve damage after an accident can cause long-term chronic pain and make it difficult for crash victims to move on with their lives.

If you have experienced this type of injury in a crash caused by another driver, we recommend you seek legal help as soon as possible.

At Jay Trucks, we are prepared to help and have a history of proven results. Our firm has recovered millions in compensation for our clients. Call anytime, night or day, to discuss your situation.

Proven Results. (989) 244-0440

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