A car accident in Albuquerque has the potential to cause many serious, debilitating and even permanent injuries. One example is nerve damage or a nerve injury, which can result in lasting pain, tingling, numbness and dysfunction throughout the body. Car crash victims who are diagnosed with nerve injuries may be entitled to financial compensation.
How Can a Car Accident Cause Nerve Damage?
When a car crash occurs, the occupants inside the motor vehicle may sustain many serious injuries from the forces exerted against the body in the collision. A nerve injury or nerve damage may arise from the following:
- Blunt-force trauma: direct impact between a part of the body and an object inside the vehicle, such as the dashboard or steering column, can cause nerve damage by the force of impact or nerve compression
- Lacerations: deep cuts, such as from broken glass flying throughout the vehicle, can sever a victim’s nerves and cause permanent nerve damage.
- Crushing damage: any part of the body getting crushed in a car accident could lead to severe compression or pinching of the nerves in that area, resulting in nerve damage.
Many crash scenarios can cause the nerves of the body to be torn, stretched, severed, pinched or compressed. Symptoms of a nerve injury can include pain, numbness, tingling, a burning sensation, weakness in certain muscles, loss of balance, muscle spasms and slowed reflexes.
Different Types of Nerve Injuries
The nerves of the body play an important role in enabling certain functions, such as motor function, autonomic bodily functions and processing sensory information. The type of nerve that gets injured, as well as the type of injury, can determine what symptoms and effects a victim experiences.
Neuropraxia is a temporary type of nerve injury where the nerve’s function is disrupted by overstretching or pressure. Axonotmesis refers to more severe nerve damage that takes longer to heal, but still keeps the nerve intact. Neurotmesis is the most severe type, where the nerve is completely severed. A victim may suffer permanent nerve damage from neurotmesis.
Seeking Financial Compensation for Nerve Damage Caused By a Car Accident
New Mexico is a fault-based car insurance state, meaning the person or party at fault for an automobile accident is held financially responsible, or liable, for a victim’s losses. If a victim sustained a nerve injury, the at-fault party’s car insurance provider will pay for losses such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Surgeries, therapies and rehabilitation
- Medications and medical devices
- Short-term or long-term disability
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
The types of damages available and the value of a nerve injury claim will depend on the circumstances, such as the severity of the injury and whether the victim will have to live with any long-term nerve damage.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Albuquerque Today
Navigating the insurance claims process after a car accident that causes a nerve injury can be difficult on your own. Hire an experienced car accident lawyer in Albuquerque to represent you during this difficult time so that you can rest and focus on healing while your lawyer advocates for you.
An attorney can help you seek fair compensation for a nerve injury that allows you to rebuild your life and move forward. Contact The Fine Law Firm today for more information – we offer free case consultations.