New Mexico Trucking Accident Causing Serious Brachial Plexus Injuries
A New Mexico trucking accident involving a big rig or 18 wheeler can cause devastating injuries to occupants of a passenger vehicle. One of the more common types of injuries is a brachial plexus injury. Unless you have a brachial plexus injury, you may never have heard of this type of arm nerve injury. But if you were unfortunate enough to suffer a brachial plexus injury in a big rig wreck, you know of the debilitating harm it causes. This nerve injury can greatly impact your life, as well as the lives of your family members, friends, and colleagues who depend on you.
Here at Caruso Law Offices, we know what you and your family are going through because we have represented many victims of New Mexico trucking accidents suffering brachial plexus injuries and other arm nerve injuries. We have represented individuals against some of the largest trucking companies in the country, including J.B. Hunt, UPS, EPO Logistics, Werner Enterprises, Con-Way, FedEx, and many others. Call our experienced Albuquerque trucking accident attorney to learn how we can help you by dialing (505) 883-5000.
What is the Brachial Plexus?
The brachial plexus is a group of nerves which originates in the cervical spine (neck) and extends from your neck to your shoulder, down your arm, and into your fingers. Each cervical vertebrae extends a nerve distally (outwards and away from your body) to the base of your neck between your collarbone and your trapezius muscle (the muscle that moves up and down when you shrug your shoulders). This area is known as the interscalene groove, wherein the network of nerves combine to form the brachial plexus. This is part of the peripheral nervous system.
The brachial plexus then extends through your shoulder girdle and down your arm. The ultimate destination is your fingertips. During the journey from your interscalene groove to the fingertips, the nerves forming the brachial plexus split and combine in several areas of your arm. Each time the nerves separate, portions branch off to form smaller nerves that are responsible for both motor function and sensory perception. This means that these nerves help move your arm, hand, and fingers, as well as record sensation such as pressure, pain, moisture, temperature, touch, and other effects.
How Can New Mexico Trucking Accident Cause a Brachial Plexus or Arm Nerve Injury?
A New Mexico trucking accident places extreme force on a person’s body. This is true even in small, low-impact collisions due to the sheer weight and size (momentum) of a large box truck. One of the most vulnerable parts of your body in these types of collisions is your neck, followed by your shoulder. This is because your neck is free “floating” and looking in all directions; it is not buckled down. Whereas the shoulder is wrapped in a seatbelt holding it down to the seat. This combination of a free-moving neck and a fixed shoulder mean that, in certain impacts, great pressure or torque may be exerted between your neck and shoulder-which is where your brachial plexus is located.
As a result, it is common for your brachial plexus to be stretched. When it is stretched to a great extent, it can result in tearing of the nerves. When the nerves are torn, messages from the peripheral nervous system (the fingers, hand, and arm) cannot be sent back accurately to the central nervous system (the spinal cord and brain). This means that certain motor and sensory functions may be impaired.
In the most serious 18 wheeler wrecks, the brachial plexus may actually be completely torn from the cervical spine. This is known as an avulsion injury. Motor and sensory function are completely severed as the signals to the brain cannot be completed. This results in extremely debilitating injury to a person which is likely permanent.
Victims of a New Mexico Trucking Accident Causing a Brachial Plexus Injury Should Call Caruso Law Offices
An arm nerve injury like a brachial plexus injury is a very serious type of injury which requires strong legal representation who has familiarity not just with motor vehicle accidents, but more specifically with trucking regulations and anatomy. Here at Caruso Law Offices, our experienced Albuquerque trucking accident lawyer has the knowledge and experience necessary to help obtain the maximum compensation that a victim with a brachial plexus injury may be entitled to. Contact us today to learn more. We handle cases throughout New Mexico, including in Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Roswell, Farmington, Hobbs, Lordsburg, or anywhere else in the state, including Albuquerque where our law office is located. Call Caruso Law Offices by dialing (505) 883-5000 to learn how we can help. You can also contact us on our website through the easy to use and convenient Contact box located by clicking here.