Have you ever experienced a sensation of your hands burning or tingling? Perhaps your hands go numb, or you feel “pins and needles” in your hands. These sensations can be an indicator of a serious problem.
Tingling in your hands can be caused by a number of underlying medical conditions, ranging from arthritis to diabetes to Lyme disease. However, if your hands start tingling or burning after a car crash, the likely culprit is nerve damage. This is often caused by an injury to the neck or spine.
If you are experiencing tingling in your hands after a motor vehicle collision, you may be able to file a legal claim against the responsible party. In these situations, an experienced car accident lawyer can advocate for your right to compensation.
Possible Causes of Tingling in Hands
Tingling in your hands is also referred to as paresthesia. This condition refers to a burning or prickling sensation that may happen in your extremities — including your hands. It may be described as tingling, numbness, skin crawling, or even itchiness.
Paresthesia happens when your nerves are under sustained pressure. Most of us experience this at some point in our lives, such as if we sit for too long in a certain position and have “pins and needles” when we try to stand up. This type of paresthesia is temporary, and not a cause for concern. However, when the tingling in your hands is chronic and not relieved by changing positions, it could be a sign of a more serious problem.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are a number of possible causes of paresthesia or tingling in your hands. They include:
- A ruptured or herniated disk in your spinal cord
- Compressed spinal cord
- Pinched nerve due to arthritis or bone spurs
- Diabetes
- Certain infections, such as Lyme disease
- Medications or drug use
- Stroke
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Kidney disease
- Arthritis
- Tumor
- Animal or insect bites
- Exposure to poisons or toxins
- Collapsed backbone due to osteoporosis
If you experience tingling in your hands, it could be due to any one of these causes. However, if the tingling starts after a car crash, there is a strong possibility that you have suffered nerve damage. If your neck or back were hurt in the crash, your nerve function could be compromised — causing numbness and/or tingling in your hands.
Whiplash in a motor vehicle collision is a common cause of tingling in the hands. A report from the National Institute of Health (NIH) found that 1/3 of patients who were diagnosed with whiplash suffered from paresthesia as a result. In other cases, a herniated disk in the spine, a spinal cord contusion (bruise), or another type of injury to the spine can cause tingling in the hands.
If a nerve leading to your hands is compressed, pinched, or impinged as a result of your car crash, you may experience this symptom. In these cases, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What to Do If You Have Tingling In Your Hands After a Car Crash
If you have tingling or burning in your hands after being in a car wreck, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. This is important for two primary reasons. First, you will increase the likelihood of a full medical recovery by getting a diagnosis and treatment for the underlying cause of your paresthesia. Second, you will protect your legal claim by getting help for your injuries after an accident.
There are a number of ways to treat hand tingling after a collision. The exact treatment will depend on why your hands are tingling. For example, if you have a herniated disk that is compressing a nerve, your doctor may prescribe medication to reduce pain and inflammation, send you to physical therapy, or even perform surgery to remove the protruding portion of the disk if conservative treatments fail.
After seeing a doctor, you should contact a personal injury attorney to learn about your legal rights and options for pursuing a claim. If your car crash — and your injuries — were caused by another person, then your attorney may be able to recover a settlement or verdict at trial for your losses. This may include compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other damages.
Most vehicular injury cases are based on a theory of negligence. This is a legal term that means a failure to exercise ordinary care. To prove that someone was negligent, you must show 4 elements:
- Duty: the other driver owed you a duty to operate their vehicle with ordinary care.
- Breach: the other driver breached (violated) their duty in some way
- Causation: the other driver’s breach was the cause of your injuries or losses
- Damages: you suffered damages as a result.
If you can demonstrate these four elements, then you likely have an actionable claim for recovery. Your lawyer can analyze the facts of your case against the law in your jurisdiction (D.C., Maryland, or Virginia) to help you determine if the other driver was negligent under the law.
For example, if a distracted driver slammed into your car when you were stopped at a red light, they breached the duty that all drivers have to operate their vehicles with ordinary care by texting and driving. You will need to show that the crash caused your injuries (such as whiplash), as opposed to another cause. Finally, you will have to introduce evidence of the losses that you incurred from the crash.
Personal injury lawsuits must be filed within a certain time period, known as the statute of limitations. If a case is not filed within that time, then you may be barred from making a claim. An attorney can work with you to ensure that your case is filed on time.
In personal injury cases, it is important to work with a lawyer who has trial experience and a track record of success. These cases are complex and rely on a thorough analysis of the facts as they apply to the law. A lawyer will advocate for your best interests — unlike the insurance company.
For example, if the insurance company denies or minimizes your claim by arguing that you were somehow at fault for the crash, then your attorney can make an argument in rebuttal. This is particularly important when it comes to issues regarding negligence, as the theory of contributory negligence may be used by the insurance company to argue that you have no right to recovery. Your lawyer can use their understanding of the laws of negligence as well as traffic laws to make a strong argument in opposition. This may occur during initial settlement negotiations, or at trial before a jury. A skilled attorney can make the case to a jury that you do not bear a share of the fault, and are entitled to a verdict in your favor as a result.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Tingling in the hands should never be ignored, as it can be a sign that you are suffering from a disease or that your nerves have been damaged. If you have tingling in your hands after a car crash, it may be a direct result of nerve damage sustained in the crash. An experienced car accident lawyer can work with you to file a claim and recover compensation for your losses.
Based in Washington, D.C., Patrick Malone & Associates represents clients throughout D.C., Maryland, and Virginia who have been hurt in motor vehicle collisions. We are aggressive advocates for each of our clients, working diligently to help them get the maximum verdict or settlement possible. To schedule a free initial consultation, contact us today at 202-742-1500 or contact us online.