Key Points of This Article:
- Car accidents are a common cause of sciatica.
- Sciatic nerve damage from a Detroit car accident can range from mild to severe. Severe sciatica can lead to complications such as permanent nerve damage and loss of feeling in the legs.
- If you suffer from sciatica, a personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, loss of wages, and other damages.
There are various injuries you can suffer after a car accident in Detroit. However, one of the most common parts of the body that people tend to complain about after being in an accident is the lower back. Though lower back pain can be a sign that you simply pulled, bruised, or strained a muscle in the lower back area, it can also be a sign of sciatic nerve damage.
If you suffer from sciatica after a car accident, you should get checked out by your doctor. Though some sciatic nerve damage can be mild and heal on its own, severe damage can lead to complications if not properly treated, such as leg weakness, loss of feeling in the legs, loss of bowel/bladder function, and permanent nerve damage.
After you seek medical attention for your sciatic nerve damage from a Detroit car accident, it’s crucial for you to get in contact with a local Detroit car accident attorney. Treatment for more severe cases of sciatica can be expensive, and your recovery may take time. Working with an attorney can help you get the compensation you need from a personal injury claim to cover the cost of medical expenses, loss of wages, and other damages.
How Do Detroit Car Accidents Cause Sciatica?
Sciatica occurs when the nerve in the lower back is pinched, compressed, or inflamed. Typically, the sciatic nerve becomes irritated and damaged as a result of a herniated disc. When a person is involved in a car accident, the force from the impact can easily cause discs along the vertebrae to slip out of place. When this occurs, the discs can then pinch or compress the sciatic nerve.
What Are the Symptoms of Sciatic Nerve Damage?
The sciatic nerve is the thickest and longest nerve in the body, with five nerve roots that span the lower back area and the sacrum at the base of the spine near the buttocks. When this nerve is damaged or pinched, it often results in pain that runs through the hips, buttocks, and down one or both legs. The pain can be sharp and shooting or feel like a burning or electric sensation. For some, the pain can be chronic and consistent, or it can come and go.
A general list of sciatica symptoms can include:
- Lower back pain that radiates into your hips and one or both legs
- Numbness or loss of sensation in your legs
- Leg weakness
- Burning or tingling sensations radiating through your hips and down your legs
- Sharp, stabbing, or jolting pain in the lower back and into the hips and legs
- Pain that makes it difficult to stand or walk
- Pain that worsens after prolonged periods of sitting or lying down
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
How Much Compensation Can I Get for Sciatic Nerve Damage from a Detroit Car Accident?
There is no way to initially determine how much money a person can get for any injury after a car accident. There are several factors that can play a part that affect how much compensation you will get. Generally, insurers will look at the severity of the injury and what treatments are required to determine how much is needed for medical expenses. However, there are other damages you can be compensated for, such as loss of wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and car repairs. When a settlement amount is being determined, all of these things will be taken into consideration.
In Michigan, if another driver is at fault, you may file a personal injury claim against them and their insurance for compensation. However, if the money you are awarded is not enough, you can also look into coverage through your own no-fault Personal Injury Protection insurance policy. If the compensation awarded is still not enough to cover your damages, you can look into filing a lawsuit against the guilty party or even your own insurance if they deny your no-fault coverage.
The Lee Steinberg Law Firm: Helping Victims of Sciatic Nerve Damage from Detroit Car Accidents
If you or a loved one suffer from sciatica as the result of an accident, the team at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm can help. For over 40 years, our attorneys have handled a number of car accident cases, including those involving sciatic nerve injuries. We care about the safety and comfort of our clients and will fight tirelessly to advocate for your rights.
Call our Detroit, Michigan personal injury lawyers at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) to speak with an experienced attorney. Our consultations are free and confidential, and you’ll pay nothing until we settle your personal injury case.
