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In the aftermath of a traffic accident, the focus often shifts immediately to visible injuries like broken bones, cuts, and bruises. However, it's crucial not to overlook the less obvious but often debilitating invisible injuries, such as nerve damage.
This type of injury can lead to a range of symptoms, starting with burning sensations, pain, and muscle spasms. These symptoms slowly worsen, drastically changing a person's quality of life and presenting significant long-term health challenges.
At Siefman Law LLC, we understand nerve damage's profound impact on your life. Our legal team is experienced in handling those who’ve suffered nerve damage from traffic accidents, and we're committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
When you've suffered nerve damage after an accident due to someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses. This can include both economic and non-economic damages:
Medical expenses: This covers medical treatment for emergency room visits, surgery stays, physical therapy, medication, and any future medical care you may need due to your injury.
Lost wages: If your injury has led you to miss work or has impacted your ability to work in the future, you may be compensated for these losses.
Pain and suffering: This term refers to the pain and distress caused by your injury. It may also include compensation for any decrease in your quality of life.
In Oregon, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injury.
It's also important to note that if your claim is against a government entity — for instance, nerve damage caused by a car accident involving a city bus — the timeline and process may be different. Cases can be complex, and it can take time to gather sufficient evidence to support your claim. If you’ve suffered a nerve injury in an accident, getting legal help as soon as possible is crucial.
Facing the legal process after an accident can be overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with the physical and emotional toll of a nerve injury. A Portland personal injury attorney can take on the legal intricacies so you can focus on your recovery. Here's what you can expect at Siefman Law LLC:
Case Evaluation: We evaluate your case to determine if you have a valid claim. This involves reviewing your accident's details, including medical records, police reports, and other relevant evidence.
Negotiation: Once your claim is filed, we negotiate with the insurance company or responsible party to secure the best possible settlement for you.
Trial Representation: If a settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, we're well-equipped to take your case to court, advocating for your rights and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
The symptoms of nerve damage can vary widely. Common symptoms include:
It's important to note that while some signs are evident, not every type of nerve injury is immediately apparent.
For instance, a person might not initially feel pain or experience unrelated issues in other parts of the body after a car accident due to an indirectly affected nerve function.
In such cases, diagnostic tests are one of the most efficient ways to understand the affected area and explore treatment options.
Nerve damage can occur in various situations, but some of the most common causes are accidents and incidents of negligence. Let's take a closer look at these:
Not all injuries in a car crash are severe, but car accident victims often deal with nerve damage that leads to long-term disability and pain. If you've been hurt in a car accident and suffered nerve damage, we can help you identify the responsible parties and seek compensation.
Truck accidents often lead to permanent nerve damage, which is notably problematic because it can cause persistent disability and chronic pain. Beyond the initial pain from broken bones and internal injuries, the blunt force of trauma from the impact can lead to injuries that often turn out to be fatal.
Nerve damage is a significant concern in pedestrian accidents because it may lead to lasting disabilities and ongoing pain. Given how vulnerable pedestrians can be on busy roads and the extent of injuries sustained, the medical costs and treatment can significantly impact victims and their families.
Nerve damage is particularly significant because it can result in permanent disabilities and continuous pain. The causes of nerve damage in motorcycle accidents go beyond the direct impact of the crash. Blunt force trauma can damage soft tissues, leading to more than one type of nerve damage.
Slip and fall accidents can cause nerve damage in various ways. For instance, if you fall and land on your back, you could suffer spinal cord injuries that result in permanent nerve damage. Similarly, falling on an outstretched hand can lead to nerve damage in your wrist or hand.
In the most severe cases, extensive nerve damage can lead to wrongful death. This could occur if the nerve damage affects other critical bodily functions such as breathing or heart rate.
For instance, a high-impact car accident could cause a traumatic brain injury that leads to severe nerve damage, ultimately resulting in death.
Our law firm can help you file a wrongful death claim and fight for the compensation you deserve for your loss.
Nerves can be severely damaged in accidents, leading to various health complications. Let's look at the three main types of nerves that are frequently injured in serious accidents.
Sensory Nerves: These nerves relay electrical activity such as pain, temperature, and touch from the skin and muscles to the brain. Damage to sensory nerves can result in symptoms like numbness, tingling, or even the loss of the ability to sense pain or changes in temperature.
Motor Nerves: Motor nerves send brain and spinal cord signals to all muscles. When these peripheral nerves are damaged, people might experience muscle weakness, spasms, or paralysis.
Autonomic Nerves: These nerves regulate functions without conscious effort, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and sweating. Damage to autonomic nerves can lead to various symptoms, including blood pressure issues, trouble breathing, or heart issues.
Personal injury claims have successfully recovered millions for victims of car accidents. However, one of the most significant challenges with these cases is determining the full extent of injuries. This includes assessing damage to specific areas, such as herniated discs and completely severed nerves.
Additionally, it involves identifying more subtle damage impacting soft tissue and other nearby nerves. At Siefman Law LLC, we have experience in a wide range of nerve injury cases. These can include:
Peripheral neuropathy occurs when nerves outside the brain and spinal cord are damaged. Common signs of peripheral neuropathy include weakness and pain, usually in the hands and feet. The possibility of full recovery from peripheral neuropathy largely depends on the extent of the nerve damage and how quickly a treatment plan is initiated.
This is a common condition caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hands and arms. As most drivers have their hands on the steering wheel in an auto accident, this is one of the most common types of nerve injuries in cases where the victim is the driver. Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination and diagnostic imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan.
In a car accident, direct impact to the lower back or pelvic area can cause injuries that lead to sciatica. The force of the collision can damage the spine or nearby tissues, leading to nerve compression. Sciatica is caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, often caused by a herniated disk, and results in pain that radiates from your lower back down your leg.
Whiplash, a sudden jerk of the head and neck, can stretch and tear nerves, leading to long-term pain, numbness, and even motor function impairment. It is common after car accidents and can lead to injuries that are substantially more serious than they initially appear. It can take days, or even weeks, for the full scope of whiplash injuries to manifest.
At Siefman Law LLC, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay us if we win your case. This ensures that our interests are aligned with yours and that you stay a priority.
Additionally, our nerve damage attorneys have the experience you need to guide you toward the best course of action for your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.