Nerve damage is a serious injury that can disrupt nearly every aspect of a person’s life, from physical movement to sensation and long-term independence. When an accident injures the nerves, the effects are often painful, unpredictable, and difficult to reverse.
In San Diego, California, nerve damage frequently arises from preventable accidents caused by negligence, including traffic collisions, falls, and unsafe workplaces. Learning about nerve injuries and the recovery process can help individuals better understand their situation and available options.
Overview of Nerve Damage
Nerve damage, sometimes referred to as a nerve injury or neuropathy, occurs when nerves are compressed, stretched, cut, or otherwise impaired. Nerves act as communication pathways between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. When those pathways are disrupted, the body may not properly send or receive signals.
Depending on the severity, nerve damage may improve with time and treatment, or it may lead to lasting impairment. Severe nerve injuries often interfere with a person’s ability to work, perform daily tasks, or live without ongoing medical care.
Types of Nerve Damage
Medical providers commonly classify nerve injuries by how much structural damage has occurred:
- Neuropraxia: A mild injury involving temporary disruption of nerve function that may resolve with rest and medical care
- Axonotmesis: Damage to the nerve fibers themselves, which can require lengthy healing and may not fully resolve
- Neurotmesis: A complete severing of the nerve, often resulting in permanent loss of function
Peripheral nerves are most often affected in accident-related injuries, but damage involving the spinal cord or nerve roots can cause especially severe and lasting consequences.
How Common Is Nerve Damage?
Nerve damage is a frequent complication of traumatic injuries. Medical studies show that nerve injuries commonly accompany high-impact events such as motor vehicle accidents and serious falls. In many cases, nerve damage occurs alongside fractures, head injuries, or spinal trauma, making diagnosis and treatment more complex.
Signs and Symptoms of Nerve Damage
The symptoms of nerve damage depend on which nerves are affected and the severity of their injury.
Common signs include:
- Persistent numbness or reduced sensation
- Tingling or electric shock–like sensations
- Burning, stabbing, or radiating pain
- Muscle weakness or loss of strength
- Difficulty with balance or coordination
Symptoms may appear immediately after an accident or develop gradually as swelling, scar tissue, or inflammation affects the nerve.
Long-Term Consequences of Nerve Damage
While some nerve injuries heal with appropriate care, others result in permanent complications. Long-term effects may include chronic pain, limited mobility, muscle atrophy, or ongoing numbness. In severe cases, nerve damage can interfere with bladder or bowel control or require lifelong medical management, significantly affecting quality of life.
What Causes Nerve Damage?
Nerve damage is often the result of sudden trauma or sustained pressure on nerve tissue.
In San Diego personal injury cases, common causes include:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Slip and fall incidents
- Construction and workplace accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle crashes
- Medical negligence, such as surgical errors
High-speed collisions and serious falls are particularly likely to cause nerve compression, tearing, or stretching.
What Compensation Can I Recover for Nerve Damage in San Diego, CA?
Under California law, accident victims may pursue compensation for both financial and personal losses.
Economic damages may include:
- Hospital care, surgery, and rehabilitation
- Ongoing therapy or pain management
- Prescription medication and assistive devices
- Lost wages and future income losses
Non-economic damages may include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of daily activities
- Permanent impairment or disability
In limited situations involving extreme misconduct, additional damages may be available under California law.
How Nerve Damage Can Affect Daily Life and Recovery
Beyond medical diagnoses, nerve damage often creates practical challenges that are not immediately obvious. Everyday tasks such as driving, cooking, typing, or walking can become difficult or unsafe. Many people with nerve injuries must adapt their routines, rely on assistive devices, or seek help from family members.
Understanding these day-to-day impacts is important, as they often play a major role in long-term recovery and the overall burden an injury places on an individual and their household.
How Long Do I Have to File a Nerve Damage Lawsuit in California?
In most cases, California law typically gives injury victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failing to act within this time limit can result in losing the right to pursue compensation.
Certain exceptions may apply, depending on the facts, which makes early legal guidance especially important.
Contact Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation With Our San Diego Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love suffered nerve damage in an accident in San Diego, you may be entitled to compensation. Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers has decades of experience advocating for injured individuals and families.
Contact us today at (858) 551-2090 to schedule a free consultation with a San Diego personal injury attorney and learn more about how we could help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
