Pinched Nerve Following a Collision
While car accidents might be a reality of the road, this doesn’t mean that people should just accept them. Steps need to be taken to reduce the frequency and severity of auto accidents. Even though people might get used to hearing about motor vehicle collisions on the news, it is essential to keep in mind that people suffer severe injuries as a result of these accidents. Based on some of the statistics that have been published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- On a daily basis, more than 90 people are killed in auto accidents.
- Between the years 2000 and 2013, the rate of crash deaths in the United States fell by more than 30 percent.
- While this might sound good, the rate of crash deaths in other developed countries dropped by more than 50 percent.
- If the United States simply matched the improvement of other countries, this would translate into more than 18,000 lives saved every year.
These numbers show that more has to be done in order to improve safety on the roads. For those who survive car accidents, there are serious injuries that they might suffer. One of these is a pinched nerve.
What is a Pinched Nerve?
One of the injuries that people could sustain in a car accident is called a pinched nerve. This injury takes place when too much pressure is created around a nerve. This pressure compresses the nerves, leading to severe symptoms that can disrupt the function of that part of the body. This could take place in an arm, leg, or even down the back. Some of the symptoms of a pinched nerve include:
- A decrease in the range of motion of the affected body part.
- Numbness, tingling, or pain in the area supplied by the nerve.
- Weakness in that part of the body.
- The feeling that the limb has “fallen asleep.”
These symptoms often get worse when someone goes to sleep at night, creating a severe quality of life issues.
When to See a Doctor
Most cases of pinched nerves usually go away on their own. However, if the pain is persistent, you should seek medical attention immediately. Some serious symptoms to watch for include:
- If the pain lasts more than a few days.
- If your pain is getting worse despite using self-care treatment such as an ice/heat pack or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.
- If you experience unexpected weakness or pain in a specific area.
How is a Pinched Nerve Treated?
If someone has been diagnosed with a pinched nerve, the treatment is typically conservative. In addition to rest, the focus of the procedure will be on relieving the pressure around the nerve. This could include:
- Medications such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or steroids
- Ice packs and elevation
- Physical therapy
In some cases, the symptoms might not get better. Surgery might be needed to manually decompress the area around the nerve.
Watch YouTube Video: Treatment for Pinched Nerve in the Back. This video demonstrates how to get temporary relief for a pinched nerve from a chiropractor.
Contacting an Injury Attorney
Those suffering from serious injuries following a motor vehicle accident could require surgery. This may place them in a hospital for several days, putting their family under a tremendous amount of stress. When this happens, it is critical to meet with an auto accident attorney in Sacramento. An experienced lawyer can help by:
- Taking a look at the records from the accident to ensure that nothing has been missed.
- Helping families negotiate with insurance companies to increase the payout under their policy.
- Pursuing damages related to the injuries, pain, and suffering of the accident.
Families need to know that help is available. They do not need to go through a tough situation alone. Meet with an injury lawyer in Sacramento today. You and your family could be deserving of a financial reward.
Sacramento Personal Injury Attorneys
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury attorney in Sacramento. A pinched nerve can be incredibly painful and can make it difficult for people to return to work or school. If you or a family member has developed severe complications after a motor vehicle accident, contact me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am honored to hold memberships in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Top One Percent, a National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
For a listing of how we have resolved our past cases, check out our verdicts or settlements page on our website.
Our clients have a lot to say about our practice. See their comments and reviews on Yelp, Avvo, & Google.
Pinched Nerve Following a Collision: AutoAccident.com.
Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Pixabay. The image has been reproduced here with permission/ Pinched Nerve Following a Collision.
:dr 0p cha [cs 823] cv