Can I Get Nerve Damage After a Car Accident?
Nerve damage is a common and potentially serious injury in car crashes. The force of impact of a motor vehicle collision can cause accident victims to suffer whiplash, compression injuries, head injuries, and damage to the spinal cord. Chronic pain from permanent nerve damage can be disabling.
If you have experienced symptoms of nerve damage following an auto accident and someone else was at fault, you should schedule a free consultation with a reputable car accident lawyer. The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., represents car accident victims who have sustained serious injuries due to the negligence of others. Our law firm can evaluate your case and discuss your options for seeking compensation for your medical bills and other expenses.
Signs of Nerve Damage After a Car Accident
Recognizing the signs of nerve damage after car accident trauma requires medical treatment by a trained medical professional. Symptoms of nerve damage may not always present themselves immediately after a collision. The body’s adrenaline response can mask nerve pain and other warning signs for hours or even days after a motor vehicle accident. Common indicators of neurological injury include:
- Numbness or tingling: A pins-and-needles sensation or loss of feeling in extremities may indicate peripheral nerve injuries to sensory nerves.
- Burning sensations: Intense burning pain that may radiate along nerve pathways.
- Muscle weakness: Damage to motor nerves can cause muscle weakness, muscle twitching, difficulty gripping objects, or unexplained loss of strength.
- Sharp, shooting pain: Electric-like jolts that travel through affected areas.
- Loss of coordination: Trouble with balance or fine motor skills.
- Hypersensitivity: Extreme sensitivity to touch, temperature, or pressure.
- Paralysis: Partial or complete loss of movement in affected body parts.
- Radiating pain: Discomfort that travels from the injury site to other areas.
Medical evaluation becomes critical when experiencing any of these symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve recovery outcomes. A doctor’s documentation of the symptoms of nerve damage from a car accident also serves as evidence when developing a claim for compensation for your injuries.
Can I Seek Compensation for Nerve Damage Caused by a Car Crash in New York?
Under New York law, victims are permitted to seek compensation for nerve damage from car accident injuries when another party’s negligence caused the collision. The state’s no-fault insurance system covers basic medical expenses and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault.
However, the costs of treating serious neurological injuries often exceed the limits of no-fault insurance policies. Car accident victims who have serious injuries may have a right to seek compensation through personal injury claims. The types of compensation that may be sought include the following:
- Medical expenses (current and future) for nerve treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering from nerve impairment
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
- Modifications to homes to make them accessible for nerve-related disabilities
- Assistive devices and adaptive equipment
- Loss of enjoyment of life due to nerve injury
- Emotional distress related to chronic nerve damage
- Permanent impairment or disability
Under New York law, injury victims have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit for nerve damage. Missing the deadline generally bars you from recovering compensation. An experienced car accident attorney in Queens, NY, can gather evidence of your accident-related nerve damage, develop a solid case for compensation, and pursue a claim on your behalf.
Factors That Can Influence the Value of a Nerve Damage Settlement
The value of a nerve damage from a car accident settlement depends on numerous variables that courts and insurance companies consider when determining compensation. Among the factors affecting settlement values are as follows:
- Severity and permanence of nerve damage
- Impact on daily activities and quality of life
- Age and occupation of the victim
- Total medical expenses incurred
- Future medical treatment requirements
- Lost income and career impact
- Insurance policy limits
- Strength of liability evidence
- Credibility of medical documentation
At The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., our attorneys understand how to present evidence that demonstrates the full extent of your present and future losses, helping maximize your potential recovery.
Proving That the Car Accident Caused the Nerve Damage
Establishing causation between the collision and your neurological injuries is crucial to developing a successful car accident claim. Insurance companies frequently dispute whether a car accident was the actual cause of the nerve injuries. Essential evidence for proving causation includes:
- Medical records: The documentation should establish a clear connection between your injuries and the accident trauma. Receiving prompt medical attention after a crash helps reinforce this link.
- Expert testimony: Neurologists and other medical specialists can explain how collision forces caused specific nerve damage. Their professional opinions carry substantial weight in settlement negotiations and trials.
- Diagnostic imaging: MRIs, CT scans, and nerve conduction studies offer objective proof of nerve damage that may not be visible through standard examinations.
- Accident reconstruction: An accident reconstruction can help a jury understand how the collision impact forces injured your body. Reconstruction experts can correlate specific collision dynamics with your injuries.
- Witness statements: Testimony from observers can support your account of how the accident occurred. Witnesses may also be able to confirm visible signs of injuries at the scene.
Pre-existing conditions complicate causation arguments. Insurers may claim your symptoms stem from prior issues rather than the accident. However, New York follows the “eggshell plaintiff” doctrine, as established in case law. Defendants are liable for victims as they find them, including any pre-existing vulnerabilities that exacerbate the severity of the injury.
Get in Touch with Our Car Accident Lawyers in Queens, NY for Help with Your Case
Neurological injuries resulting from car accidents require prompt investigation and legal action to pursue fair compensation. The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., can review your case and outline your legal options during a free consultation.
Our Queens car accident attorneys are experienced in handling the complexities of nerve damage claims. We work to build strong cases that reflect the full impact of our clients’ injuries. We manage every step in the legal process—from investigating the accident and collecting medical evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and representing you in court if needed.
Our personal injury law firm in Floral Park serves Queens and handles nerve injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You won’t owe any legal fees unless we secure compensation for you through a negotiated settlement or court award. We are successful in settling most cases without going to trial. Call our office today or reach out online to schedule your free consultation with an experienced attorney who will fight for the compensation you need to move forward after suffering nerve damage in a car accident.
About the Author
Boris Tadchiev
Boris Tadchiev is the founding partner at The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. He focuses his practice on advocating for the rights of individuals and families in personal injury cases involving motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, and wrongful death. He also represents healthcare providers in complex no-fault arbitration claims.