Nerve Compression Following an Auto Accident
Car accidents have occupied a significant amount of the media spotlight in recent decades. Earning a driver’s license is a rite of passage for many teenagers in the United States, and it is essential for everyone to remember that driving is a privilege and not a right. Unfortunately, too many preventable car accidents occur every day and some of these can lead to serious, if not fatal, injuries. According to some of the statistics that were recently released by Statista:
- There are about 222 million people in the United States who have a driver’s license.
- California is the state with the most licensed drivers.
- The number of licensed drivers is evenly divided between men and women.
- There are close to 270 million registered vehicles in the United States.
- Every year, there are more than 34,000 car accidents in the United States that result in one or more fatalities.
The number of fatal car accidents in this country is startling. Even for those who survive, there are serious traumatic injuries that could lead to lifelong complications. One of these is nerve compression, which can sometimes be delayed following a severe accident.
The Mechanism of Nerve Injuries in Car Accidents
The nerves are an important part of the body. They carry motor and sensory signals from the brain down the spinal cord and throughout the rest of the body. There are several ways that nerves could be damaged in a car accident. These include:
- Penetrating wounds from glass and metal could slice the nerves that run underneath the skin.
- Nerves could be subjected to crush injuries that occur in rollover accidents.
- Nerves can also be damaged by the swelling that results after a car accident.
Sometimes the nerves are compressed by this swelling which is a surgical emergency.
Nerve Compression Injuries are Emergencies
In certain situations, nerve damage in a car accident might not be visible immediately after a car accident. It can take time for the swelling to develop. As this swelling occurs, the nerves could become compressed. This is called compartment syndrome and can lead to a variety of symptoms including:
- Numbness and tingling in the arms or legs.
- Shooting pains down the extremities.
- A possible loss of blood flow to that part of the body.
If this isn’t addressed quickly, the limb could actually die. This nerve injury could become permanent. In severe cases, it might even result in an amputation.
The YouTube video below explains the common signs and symptoms of a nerve compression injury.
When someone has severe complications following a car accident, this could result in a trip to a hospital. This places the entire family under a significant amount of stress. This can also trigger some important questions, which might include:
- Why did this complication happen following this car accident?
- What are the possible treatment options for such a serious injury?
- What are the complications of this potentially emergent surgery?
- How does this impact the ability of my loved one to return to work after the accident?
- Can a person recover compensation for an injury if it was caused by someone else’s negligence?
- Is there anyone out there who can help us?
For help with these severe circumstances, it is vital to meet with a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. Some options are available to families, and it is essential to review all of them before making a decision. Don’t be afraid of asking for help. You and your family could be deserving of financial compensation.
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Car Accident Lawyers in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident attorney. Nerve compression following an auto accident is a medical emergency. If you or someone you know has suffered injuries in a car crash, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/Nerve Compression Following an Auto Accident.
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