Car accidents can cause injuries that last far beyond the initial impact. While fractures and soft-tissue injuries are common, nerve damage is among the more serious and life-altering conditions that can result from a collision. Nerve injuries may lead to chronic pain, numbness, weakness, or permanent loss of function. If you experience nerve damage after a car accident in Atlantic County, New Jersey, you may have the right to pursue compensation. Understanding how these injuries are evaluated under New Jersey law is an important first step.
What Is Nerve Damage After a Car Accident?
“Nerve damage” occurs when nerves are stretched, compressed, or torn due to trauma. In a car accident, the sudden force of impact can injure nerves directly or cause inflammation that interferes with nerve signaling. These injuries may affect the arms, legs, neck, back, or other parts of the body.
Common forms of nerve damage include “neuropathy,” which causes tingling or burning sensations, and injuries to nerve clusters near the spine or shoulders. Some nerve injuries improve over time, while others can cause lasting impairment.
What Are the Signs of Nerve Damage?
Symptoms of nerve damage often include sharp or burning pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and sensitivity to touch. Some individuals experience difficulty gripping objects, walking, or maintaining balance. Unfortunately, these symptoms do not always appear immediately after a crash. Delayed onset is common, which makes it critical to seek medical attention if new sensations or loss of function develop days or weeks later.
How Is Nerve Damage Diagnosed?
Diagnosing nerve damage usually begins with a physical examination and a review of symptoms. Physicians may order tests such as nerve conduction studies, electromyography, or imaging scans to identify nerve dysfunction. Medical documentation plays a central role in injury claims. Diagnostic testing helps establish the severity of the injury and confirms whether the nerve damage is consistent with trauma from a motor vehicle collision.
Can Nerve Damage Support a Lawsuit?
Yes. To pursue compensation, it must be shown that another party’s negligence caused the accident and that the crash directly led to the nerve injury. This typically involves demonstrating how the collision occurred and providing medical evidence linking the injury to the crash. Medical records, diagnostic results, and treating provider opinions are often used to show causation. Consistent treatment and follow-up care help strengthen this connection.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Individuals with nerve damage may seek compensation for medical treatment, rehabilitation, medication, and any necessary future care. Lost income may also be recoverable if the injury limits the ability to work. Compensation can also reflect “non-economic” losses such as chronic pain, reduced mobility, and diminished quality of life. Because nerve injuries can be long-lasting or permanent, the long-term impact is an important consideration in evaluating a claim.
How Does New Jersey Law Apply?
New Jersey follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. An injured person may recover damages as long as they are not more than 50% responsible for the accident, with compensation reduced by their share of fault. There is also a two-year “statute of limitations” for most personal injury claims. Acting within this timeframe is essential to preserving the right to seek compensation.
What Should You Do if You Suspect Nerve Damage?
Prompt medical evaluation is critical. Continue recommended treatment and keep records of symptoms, appointments, and limitations. Avoid minimizing symptoms or delaying care, as this can affect both recovery and legal claims.
Pursuing Justice With Our Atlantic County Car Accident Lawyers at Kitrick, McWeeney & Wells, LLC
Nerve damage can interfere with daily activities, employment, and long-term health. These injuries often require careful documentation and legal evaluation to pursue fair compensation. If nerve damage followed your car accident, our Atlantic County car accident lawyers at Kitrick, McWeeney & Wells, LLC can help evaluate your claim, address insurance challenges, and pursue compensation under New Jersey law while you focus on healing. For a free consultation, call today at 732-920-8383 or contact us online. With office locations in Manasquan and Brick, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients throughout the state.