Which Types of Accidents Can Lead to Permanent Nerve Damage?

Many individuals suffer nerve damage after being involved in an accident. Whether it is a car, pedestrian, bicycle, slip and fall, motorcycle, or work-related accident; permanent nerve damage is a possibility in all types of accidents.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that over 20 million people in the United States currently have permanent nerve damage. This is alarming as permanent nerve damage cannot be repaired or cured, meaning that individuals must learn how to live with it.

What is permanent nerve damage?

According to the National Library of Medicine, permanent nerve damage, also commonly referred to as peripheral neuropathy, means that your nerves are unable to function properly. Peripheral neuropathy can occur because of damage to one nerve or a group of different nerves.

People who suffer from permanent nerve damage experience a lot of hardships. The reason for this is because nerves play a vital role in the human body as they transport information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.

What are the three types of nerves in the body?

There are three different types of nerves in the human body, which include:

1. Autonomic nerves: Autonomic nerves are responsible for controlling your heart rate, digestion, blood pressure, temperature, and other bodily activities that are involuntary.
2. Motor nerves: Motor nerves have the duty to make your body move and do certain functions. These nerves send information to your spinal cord, brain, and muscles, which gives you the ability to move your legs, arms, fingers, toes, and more.
3. Sensory nerves: Sensory nerves pass information from the muscles and skin to your brain and spinal cord. This gives you the ability to feel pain, taste, smell, see, and more.

What symptoms indicate nerve damage?

If you think that you might have nerve damage after a car accident, you may be curious to know what symptoms to look for. While nerve damage can cause many different symptoms, these are a few of the most common signs and symptoms:

Autonomic nerve damage	Motor nerve damage	Sensory nerve damage
·       Lightheadedness ·       Excessive sweating or little sweating ·       Dry mouth ·       Dry eyes ·       Bladder dysfunction ·       Constipation ·       Inability to feel chest pain	·       Paralysis ·       Feeling weak ·       Twitching ·       Muscle atrophy or loss of muscle tissue	·       Numbness ·       Pain ·       Sensitivity to certain things ·       Tingling sensations ·       Burning

As you can see, the symptoms that a person experiences depends on the type of nerves that are damaged. However, it is important to know that you can have damage to more than one type of nerve. Therefore, if you experience burning and twitching in your arm, you may have both sensory and motor nerve damage.

Types of accidents that can lead to permanent nerve damage

When you are involved in an accident, your nerves can become permanently damaged. This is usually caused by inflammation and swelling, which is your body’s way of reacting to trauma. Here are a few of the types of accidents that can lead to permanent nerve damage:

• Truck accidents: Truck accidents can lead to nerve damage in various ways. For example, if part of your body is cut by sharp pieces of the windows or windshield during the impact of an accident, the nerves will most likely become permanently damaged in that area. Another common way that truck accidents cause nerve damage is by injuring your spinal cord, which can lead to paralysis.
• Crushing accidents: If any part of your body becomes crushed, you will most likely experience permanent nerve damage. For example, if your arm is crushed by a machine at work, the tendons and ligaments will never be the same, and your nerves will never be able to function correctly again.
• Construction accidents: Construction accidents are very dangerous as you are most likely around heavy machines, electrical wires, and sharp tools. Therefore, if you fall, get electrocuted, or cut yourself, your nerves are at risk of becoming permanently damaged.
• Medical malpractice: When a doctor fails to accurately diagnose a condition or makes mistakes during surgery, this can cause unnecessary, permanent harm to your nerves. Undiagnosed strokes are one of the most common medical errors that lead to permanent nerve damage.
• Slip and falls: When a floor is wet or slippery, you may slip and fall. This can cause nerve damage to your hips, legs, hands, arms, ankles, and more. Many people even hit their head when falling, which can also result in severe, permanent damage to the nerves in your brain.

How can a Mississippi personal injury lawyer help with my permanent nerve damage claim?

If you suffer nerve damage from an accident that was not your fault, our Mississippi personal injury attorneys at Merkel & Cocke, P.A. know and understand that this can be a painful, stressful, and challenging time. Therefore, we will build a strong case against the responsible parties and stand up for your right to compensation. The following are some of the losses you may be able receive legal damages for:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Property damage
• Mental trauma
• Surgery expenses
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Prescriptions
• Home modifications
• Loss of quality of life
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Disability

Our team will also negotiate with insurance adjusters, gather evidence, and hire medical experts. We have over 40 years of experience, and we have worked hard to build relationships with our clients as well as other professionals who can help us explain the extent of your injuries and how the nerve damage affects your day-to-day activities.

The outcome of your personal injury case can depend on how experienced and skilled your attorney is. That said, Merkel & Cocke, P.A. is ready and available to take on your case. Our personal injury lawyers offer outstanding legal support, a compassionate listening ear, and a helping hand to guide you through the personal injury process. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation by filling out our contact form or calling our office. You can also visit one of our office locations in Jackson, Clarksdale, Greenville, or Oxford.