Loss of Reflexes After a Car Accident
There are numerous injuries that someone could suffer in an auto accident and some of these could lead to a loss of reflexes. A reflex is an involuntary and almost instant reaction in response to another action. Some of the reflexes throughout the body include:
- The patellar reflex in the knee
- The Achilles tendon reflex on the back of the heel
- The biceps reflex on the upper arm
- The triceps reflex on the lower arm
- The plantar reflex on the bottom of the foot
All of these reflexes play an essential role in the body. In some cases, these reflexes may disappear. This can happen following a traumatic injury, such as those in a motor vehicle accident.
Nerve Damage Leading to Lost Reflexes
Because reflexes are powered by the nerves, a loss of reflexes is often a sign of nerve damage. There are many different reasons why the nerves might be injured. These include:
- Swelling around the nerve causing severe compression, leading to functional impairment.
- The nerve has been cut by a penetrating injury.
- The nerve is acutely inflamed secondary to blunt trauma.
To evaluate the nerves further, imaging is often needed. This can reveal swelling and inflammation in and around the nerve. If the nerve has been cut, this is typically diagnosed using a nerve conduction study.
Watch YouTube Video: Deep Tendon Reflexes. In this video, Dr. Abraham Verghese demonstrates the deep tendon reflexes on a patient.
A Spinal Cord Injury Can Cause a Loss of Reflexes
Another possible reason why people might have changes in their reflexes is a spinal cord injury. The spinal cord connects most of the body’s nerves to the brain. Therefore, if there is a spinal cord injury, individuals could notice a drop in their reflexes. Some of the symptoms of spinal cord damage include:
- Changes in the power of their reflexes
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
- Shooting pains down the arms or legs
- Incontinence of the bowels or bladder
If someone presents with changes in their reflexes, particularly a loss of their reflexes, they could have spinal cord damage. Spinal cord injuries can be seen on an MRI scan. All spinal cord injuries need to be evaluated and treated by a trained medical professional.
Contacting a Car Accident Lawyer
Nerve damage is a severe complication that could result from a motor vehicle collision. Unfortunately, many of these cases of nerve damage can be permanent. For this reason, after seeking medical care, families should speak with a trained car accident lawyer in Sacramento. Some of the ways that an attorney can help include:
- Going over the records from the accident with families to make sure that nothing has been overlooked.
- Working with accident reconstruction professionals to review what happened at the scene, ensuring that the listed mechanism is correct.
- Taking a case to the courts when needed.
Families need to know that assistance is never far away during a tough time. Do not hesitate to speak to a Sacramento car accident lawyer. You could be owed significant compensation.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. If someone develops a loss of their reflexes after a car accident, it could be a sign of severe nerve damage. If someone you know was involved in a motor vehicle collision and subsequently developed nerve damage, please call me at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am honored to be a lawyer in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and in the Top One Percent, a National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
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