As a Texas resident involved in a car accident, you may experience symptoms like leg numbness that could indicate nerve damage. While alarming, leg numbness is often temporary, subsiding once swelling reduces and your body has time to heal. However, persistent numbness, weakness or pain may require medical evaluation and treatment. Talk with a Texas Car Accident Lawyer to get started if you feel you have a case.
Causes of Leg Numbness After a Car Accident
Leg numbness after a car accident can have several possible causes. The impact from a collision can compress nerves or blood vessels in the legs, disrupting signals to the brain. Trauma from the accident may also lead to conditions like sciatica or a pinched nerve, resulting in numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Nerve or Spinal Cord Damage
The force of a crash can injure the spine or peripheral nerves in the legs. Damage to the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back to the feet, often manifests as numbness in the legs and feet. In severe accidents, the spinal cord itself may be bruised or compressed, leading to loss of sensation and mobility. These types of nerve injuries require prompt diagnosis and treatment to avoid permanent damage.
Muscle Strains or Tears
Traumatic muscle strains in the legs can pinch nearby nerves, causing temporary numbness. While discomforting, these injuries often heal with rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication. However, severe muscle tears may require surgical repair to prevent long-term issues.
Blood Flow Restriction
Damage to arteries and veins in the legs can hamper circulation, leading to numbness. A condition known as compartment syndrome, where swelling compresses blood vessels and nerves, requires emergency surgery to prevent tissue death. Blood clots forming after an accident can also block circulation and require blood thinners or clot removal to restore normal sensation and function.
In summary, leg numbness after a car accident can signal a serious underlying condition and requires prompt medical evaluation. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are key to preventing permanent nerve damage or disability. Consulting with a personal injury attorney can also help determine if negligence played a role in the crash and ensure access to compensation for medical care and other losses.
Symptoms of Nerve Damage From a Crash
If you were in a car accident and are now experiencing numbness or tingling in your legs, it could indicate nerve damage. Some common symptoms of nerve damage from a crash include:
Loss of Sensation
You may notice certain areas of your legs feel numb to the touch or that you have a decreased ability to sense hot or cold temperatures. This loss of sensation is caused by damage to the nerves that transmit signals from your legs to your brain.
Muscle Weakness
The nerves in your legs also control muscle movement and strength. Damage to these nerves can lead to weakness in your legs that makes it difficult to walk or stand. You may feel unsteady on your feet or notice your legs trembling.
Pain
Nerve damage often causes a sharp, shooting pain in the legs that can range from mild to severe. This pain may get worse with movement or pressure applied to the legs. The pain can persist for days, weeks or even become chronic without proper treatment.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms after an auto accident, it’s critical to see a doctor right away for a diagnosis and treatment. Early intervention may help minimize permanent nerve damage and improve your long term mobility and quality of life. Diagnostic tests like nerve conduction studies or electromyography can determine if there is nerve damage and the best course of action, which may include medication, physical therapy, surgery or other treatments.
Don't delay in seeking help. Getting the right treatment for your nerve damage could mean the difference between temporary discomfort and long-lasting impairment. With the proper diagnosis and care, most people with nerve damage from a car accident are able to recover and avoid permanent disability.
Seeking Medical Care for Numbness
If you experience numbness or tingling in your legs following a car accident, it’s critical to seek medical attention right away. An evaluation by a doctor can determine if there are any serious injuries that require treatment.
Seek emergency care for severe or worsening symptoms
Call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately if you have:
- Loss of movement or control of the legs
- Weakness that prevents you from walking
- Numbness that spreads or becomes more severe
These can be signs of a spinal cord injury or other serious nerve damage that requires prompt diagnosis and care.
Visit your doctor for an exam and testing
Schedule an appointment with your primary physician or an urgent care center as soon as possible for an initial exam. Your doctor will review your symptoms, medical history, and the details of your accident. They may order:
- Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans or MRIs to check for injuries to the spine, surrounding muscles and tissues.
- Nerve conduction studies or electromyography (EMG) to assess nerve and muscle function.
These tests can determine if there are any pinched nerves, muscle strains, or other issues causing your leg numbness. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is key to preventing long-term problems.
Follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan
Treatment for leg numbness will depend on the underlying cause as determined by your medical evaluation and test results. Your doctor may recommend:
- Rest, ice and physical therapy for muscle strains or minor nerve inflammation.
- Braces, splints or mobility aids if injuries make it difficult to walk or move around.
- Surgery to repair damaged tissues or relieve pressure on pinched nerves.
- Medications such as steroids, anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants to reduce swelling and relieve symptoms.
Be sure to follow up with your doctor as directed and report any changes or worsening of symptoms right away. Proper rest and rehabilitation is important for recovery and restoring normal leg function and sensation.
How a Texas Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
How a Texas Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you have suffered leg numbness or other injuries in a Texas car accident, consulting with an experienced car accident lawyer is crucial. They can help in several ways:
A car accident lawyer will investigate the details of your accident to determine appropriate next steps. They will collect evidence from the accident scene, photographs, police reports, witness statements, medical records, and bills to build a strong case.
They can handle communications with insurance companies on your behalf. Insurance adjusters may try to get you to accept a low settlement offer quickly. A lawyer will negotiate for a fair settlement that accounts for all of your losses and future medical needs. If an agreement cannot be reached, they may file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue compensation through the court system.
They understand the complex laws regarding car accident cases. There are specific rules for determining fault and liability in Texas car wrecks. A lawyer will evaluate whether other parties, in addition to the negligent driver, may share some responsibility. They can also advise you on the statute of limitations for filing a claim to avoid missing important deadlines.
They can anticipate challenges that may arise in your case. Defense attorneys for insurance companies will work to limit the amount of damages paid out. An experienced car accident lawyer knows strategies that may be used to reduce compensation and can build counterarguments to maximize the settlement or verdict amount.
The costs of a car accident lawyer are often lower than you expect. Most offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis. They only receive payment if they recover compensation for you, typically taking a percentage of the total settlement. Their fees will not reduce the amount you receive for your injuries and losses.
In summary, consulting with a reputable Texas car accident lawyer after suffering leg numbness or other harm in a crash is the best way to understand your options and pursue fair compensation. They have the expertise and resources to thoroughly handle your claim and give you the best chance of success.
Legal Options for Victims of Nerve Injuries
If you have suffered nerve damage or injury in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. There are several legal options available to victims of nerve injuries.
File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
You can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover damages related to your injury. This includes compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. To have a strong case, you will need evidence showing the other driver was negligent and caused the accident that led to your nerve damage. You should consult with a personal injury attorney to determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit.
Negotiate an Out-of-Court Settlement
Rather than proceeding to trial, you and the at-fault driver's insurance company may be able to negotiate an out-of-court settlement. Your attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to reach a fair settlement amount that compensates you for your injuries and other damages. While a settlement may be quicker and less costly than a trial, you are taking a risk that the amount may be less than what a jury might award. Discuss the pros and cons of settlement versus trial with your attorney.
File an Insurance Claim
If the at-fault driver has liability insurance, you can file a claim with their insurance company to recover damages for your injuries. Provide medical records, reports from physicians documenting your nerve damage, and other evidence to support the amount you are claiming. The insurance company will evaluate your claim and determine an amount they are willing to pay you. You can accept their offer or hire an attorney to negotiate a higher settlement.
By pursuing one or more of these legal options with the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can fight for the maximum compensation you deserve for the harm caused by another driver's negligence. Do not delay in taking action, as there are statutes of limitations for filing lawsuits and insurance claims in [state name].
Call A Texas Car Accident Lawyer At Fletcher Law
If you have been in a car accident in Texas and are experiencing numbness, it is critical to call an experienced car accident lawyer immediately. They can advise you on next steps to take and help ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Seek Medical Attention
The first thing you should do after any car accident is seek medical attention, especially if you notice numbness or tingling. Numbness can be a sign of nerve damage or other severe injuries that require prompt diagnosis and treatment. Get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel fine otherwise. They can run tests to determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Document Everything
Carefully document details about the accident, your injuries, medical treatment, and expenses. Take photos of the vehicles involved and your injuries. Keep records of doctor visits, diagnostic tests, prescriptions, and bills. This documentation will be important for pursuing an insurance claim.
Do Not Speak to Insurance Companies
Insurance companies may try to contact you soon after an accident to get a recorded statement about what happened. Do not provide one. Anything you say could potentially be used to deny or limit your claim. Refer them to your attorney instead.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer
An experienced car accident lawyer can advise you on the proper steps to take after an accident and work on your behalf to pursue compensation from insurance companies. They can handle communications, paperwork, and negotiations so you can focus on recovering. If numbness or other injuries are found to be permanent, they can also help determine an appropriate settlement amount. Call a lawyer from a firm like Fletcher Law for a free case review and to discuss your legal options.
Conclusion
The physical and emotional trauma of a car accident can be an isolating experience. However, you do not have to go through the aftermath alone. An experienced personal injury attorney has the knowledge and resources to help determine the cause of your leg numbness, evaluate your pain and suffering, and pursue maximum compensation under Texas law so you can focus on recovery. Call Fletcher Law for help today.
Though the road ahead may seem long, having a dedicated advocate by your side fighting for your rights and health can make the journey more bearable. Do not hesitate to contact a reputable law firm for a free case evaluation to understand your legal options in full. You deserve justice and fair treatment so you can move on from this difficult time.