Numbness After a Car Accident

Numbness After a Car Accident: What It Means and When to Worry

After a car accident, it’s normal to feel sore or shaken. But when you start to feel numbness in your arms, legs, fingers, or other parts of your body, it can be alarming. Numbness is a sign that something deeper may be wrong. This loss of feeling could indicate damage to nerves, the spine, or even the brain. If you’ve been in a crash and you’re now experiencing numbness, you should not ignore it. In this article, we’ll explain what numbness means after a car accident, why it happens, and when it’s time to seek medical and legal help.

Understanding Numbness After a Crash

Numbness is a type of nerve-related symptom. It may feel like a tingling sensation, a pins-and-needles feeling, or complete loss of sensation. Some people experience numbness in just one area, while others feel it throughout their body. Numbness often shows up in the:

• Arms or hands
• Legs or feet
• Neck or shoulders
• Face or jaw

This type of symptom is often caused by an injury to the nervous system. When nerves are compressed, damaged, or inflamed, they stop sending proper signals to the brain. This disruption leads to that strange, dull, or tingly feeling.

Common Injuries That Cause Numbness

Not all injuries cause numbness, but certain injuries are known to interfere with nerve function. After a car crash, the following conditions are commonly linked with numbness:

Whiplash
Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly jolted forward and backward. It can stretch or compress nerves in the neck, which may result in numbness in the arms, shoulders, or hands.

Herniated Disc
A herniated disc happens when the soft cushion between your spinal bones pushes out of place. This disc can press against nearby nerves, causing pain and numbness, especially in the back, buttocks, or legs.

Pinched Nerve
Trauma from a crash can cause swelling or injury to muscles and tissues around a nerve, leading to compression. A pinched nerve may result in sharp pain, tingling, or numbness.

Spinal Cord Injury
More severe crashes can damage the spinal cord itself. Even if the injury is considered minor, a slight bruise or swelling near the cord can cause major symptoms like numbness or weakness.

Peripheral Nerve Damage
Sometimes, nerves outside the spine get stretched, torn, or bruised during an accident. This damage can cause localized numbness, especially in the hands or feet.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A blow to the head during a crash may not always cause visible injuries, but it can still affect the brain. A TBI can disrupt the brain’s ability to process touch and sensation, leading to numbness or sensory changes.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Numbness should never be brushed off as a minor symptom. While some cases may resolve over time, others can indicate serious problems. You should see a doctor right away if:

• The numbness spreads or worsens
• You also feel weakness, headaches, or confusion
• The numbness lasts more than a few days
• You cannot move certain body parts normally
• You have pain in your neck, back, or spine
• You were recently in a car accident

Getting medical attention as soon as possible helps ensure your injury is diagnosed and treated correctly. It also creates a medical record that can support your legal claim later if you pursue compensation.

What Kind of Doctor Should You See?

For post-accident numbness, you may start with an emergency room visit or your primary care physician. From there, you may be referred to:

• A neurologist (nerve specialist)
• An orthopedist (bone and spine specialist)
• A physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor
• A chiropractor or physical therapist

These specialists may use diagnostic tools like MRIs, CT scans, or nerve conduction tests to understand what’s causing your numbness.

Treatment Options for Numbness

The right treatment will depend on the type of injury and how severe it is. Options may include:

• Anti-inflammatory or pain medications
• Muscle relaxers or nerve pain medications
• Physical therapy to improve mobility
• Chiropractic adjustments or spinal decompression
• Steroid injections to reduce inflammation
• Surgery in more serious cases, like spinal cord compression

In some cases, full sensation may return within weeks. In others, nerve damage may lead to permanent changes.

How Numbness Affects Your Life

Numbness might seem like a small issue at first. But it can seriously affect your ability to do everyday tasks. People with numbness may struggle to:

• Drive or walk safely
• Perform job duties, especially manual labor
• Carry or hold objects without dropping them
• Sleep comfortably due to discomfort
• Maintain independence or care for family

When you’re unable to return to work or care for yourself because of accident-related numbness, it becomes not just a medical issue, but a financial one too.

Can You Get Compensation for Numbness After a Crash?

Yes, if your numbness was caused by a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Under California law, accident victims can recover money for:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages or lost earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or reduced quality of life

However, insurance companies often try to downplay nerve-related injuries. They may argue that your symptoms are unrelated, exaggerated, or pre-existing. That’s why working with an experienced personal injury lawyer is critical.

Why Hire a Lawyer If You’re Feeling Numbness

At Anderson Franco Law, we understand how insurance companies operate. We know that numbness is not a “small” injury—it often means long-term consequences. Our team can help:

• Connect you with the right medical specialists
• Gather evidence to prove your injury
• Negotiate with the insurance company
• Handle all paperwork and deadlines
• File a lawsuit if a fair settlement isn’t offered

You deserve compensation that fully reflects how your injury is affecting your life. Our firm fights for accident victims throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and across California.

Do You Have a Case? Let’s Talk

Not sure if you have a case? That’s okay. We offer free, no-obligation consultations. Whether your numbness is just starting or has already affected your daily life, we’re here to help you understand your rights. And if you choose to work with us, you don’t pay us anything unless we win.

Anderson Franco Law Handles Numbness After a Car Accident

Numbness after a car accident can be frightening. It might be a sign of a serious injury that needs medical attention right away. Even if it seems minor, ignoring it can lead to long-term problems. Always see a doctor and keep records of your symptoms. Then, speak with a lawyer who understands the real impact of nerve injuries.

At Anderson Franco Law, we take your symptoms seriously—and we fight to make sure the insurance companies do too. Call us today to learn how we can help you get the care and compensation you deserve.