The impact of a car accident can inflict different kinds of injuries. Even if you do not feel the effects of an injury right away, it does not mean you do not have a serious problem. If you notice signs of peripheral nerve damage, you should consider consulting a doctor about your condition.
The Mayo Clinic explains that peripheral nerves transmit messages from the brain through the spinal cord into different nerves throughout parts of your body. These messages enable you to move and perform other tasks. If you have trouble doing so, you may have nerve damage.
Motor nerve damage
Motor nerves involve actions you consciously control. Problems with your motor nerves may manifest if you have trouble walking or picking up objects. You might also experience impairments with your speech. Other common signs of motor nerve damage involve weakness in the muscles, twitching or cramps.
Sensory nerve damage
Numbness in your hands may signify that your sensory nerves have problems. Sensory nerves convey sensations of pain, touch or temperature. If you have suffered sensory nerve damage, you will probably have issues feeling temperature changes or experiencing pain. Impaired sensory nerves can also interfere with your walking or maintaining balance.
Autonomic nerve damage
Your autonomic nerves handle functions that you do not consciously control, like your breathing, thyroid functions, digestion, and heart rate. A car accident injury may harm these nerves and cause you to sweat to excess, experience high or low blood pressure, or have problems tolerating heat. You might also experience digestive disorders.
It is important if you experience probable symptoms of a nerve injury to find out if you have suffered serious injuries from a recent auto accident. You may decide to pursue damages against the responsible party.