Neurological Disorders After an Injury

When your body takes a hit, especially a hard one, it’s not always the broken bones or bruises that end up changing your life. Sometimes it’s what you can’t see.

Neurological disorders (hidden disruptions in the brain, spinal cord, or nerves) are pretty common after accidents, particularly traumatic brain injuries. They can also sneak up on you after an injury and leave a long trail of challenges in their wake.

And if you’re dealing with that kind of invisible aftermath, your whole world has changed. A personal injury lawyer can make a real difference in the hurdles you face.

What exactly is a neurological disorder?

Let’s start with the basics. A neurological disorder is any condition that affects your nervous system. That includes your brain, your spinal cord, and all the nerves running through your body like electric wires.

These systems control everything, from how you move your fingers to how you form thoughts, remember your kids’ birthdays, or even breathe without thinking.

Common neurological disorders caused by injury

You don’t need to be in a catastrophic accident to end up with neurological damage. Even a seemingly minor collision can lead to long-term issues if it rattles your brain or compresses your spine just right (or wrong). Some of the most common injury-related neurological disorders include:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

This one gets the most press, and for good reason. TBIs range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, and they can affect your memory, speech, mood, sleep, and even your personality.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can lead to partial or full paralysis, but they also cause chronic pain, spasms, loss of sensation, and changes in bodily functions.

Peripheral Nerve Damage

Ever feel that pins-and-needles sensation when your leg “falls asleep”? Now imagine that, but it never goes away. Peripheral nerve injuries can lead to numbness, weakness, burning sensations, and even muscle atrophy. Car accidents, falls, or crush injuries are common causes.

Post-Concussive Syndrome

Even after a mild head injury, some people experience symptoms for weeks or months. This is called post-concussive syndrome. Headaches, dizziness, irritability, and  concentration problems can all pile up and make daily life feel impossible.

Seizure Disorders

Brain trauma can trigger seizure activity even in people with no history of epilepsy. Once seizures begin, managing them becomes a lifelong combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and constantly being aware of your body and surroundings.

How do these injuries happen?

Blunt force trauma is the usual suspect. You get rear-ended at a stoplight, you slip on an icy sidewalk, or you fall off a ladder, for instance. Any of those can jolt your nervous system hard enough to do damage. But it’s not always violent trauma.

Whiplash can cause brain injury without your head even hitting anything. Sudden acceleration and deceleration shake your brain inside your skull, kind of like Jell-O in a jar. And once those delicate neural pathways are disrupted, it’s not always clear how or if they’ll heal.

The long-term impact of a neurological injury

This is where things get tricky. Neurological injuries don’t always show up right away. You might walk away from an accident thinking you’re fine, only to start experiencing symptoms days or even weeks later. And once they show up, they tend to stick around.

You might start forgetting words or losing focus at work. You could feel anxious, depressed, or irritable. You might lose the fine motor skills you need to type or cook or brush your kid’s hair. You might start needing help with everyday tasks.

And here’s the kicker: these kinds of injuries don’t just affect your body or brain. They ripple out into your relationships, your job, your independence, and your financial future.

Why you need a personal injury lawyer

What do you do when life changes like that? Where do you turn when neurological damage is affecting your quality of life?

You find someone who knows how to fight for what you’ve lost and what you still need. This is where a personal injury lawyer can help.

Insurance companies don’t love paying for neurological injuries. Why? Because they’re expensive, hard to diagnose, and often subjective. If you can’t point to a broken bone on an X-ray, adjusters might try to claim you’re fine.

But you’re not fine. And you shouldn’t have to prove it alone.

A personal injury lawyer gathers evidence like medical records, neurological evaluations, and expert testimony, and builds a case that tells your full story. They work to make sure you’re not just compensated for what’s already happened, but for the lifelong care, treatment, and adaptations you may need down the line.

And in North Dakota, where the legal terrain can be as rough as the winters, it helps to have someone who knows the local courts, the insurance landscape, and how to cut through red tape.

What damages can you recover?

When you bring a personal injury claim involving neurological damage, here’s what might be on the table:

• Medical expenses, such as hospital stays, surgeries, rehab, neurologists, medications, and assistive devices
• Lost income if you can’t return to your old job (or any job)
• Pain and suffering because the mental and emotional toll matters, too
• Future care costs for long-term therapy or home assistance
• Loss of enjoyment of life if the injury prevents you from doing the things you love

Timing matters

North Dakota law gives you a limited window to file a personal injury claim — generally six years from the date of injury. That sounds like a long time, but when you’re dealing with slow-developing neurological symptoms, it can sneak up on you. The sooner you connect with a lawyer, the better your chances of preserving evidence and building a strong case.

Final thoughts

Neurological injuries can feel invisible to the outside world, but you’re the one living with the consequences. If you’ve suffered one because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve more than sympathy. You deserve support, resources, and a real shot at recovery.

So don’t wait. Talk to a personal injury lawyer who’ll listen to your story and help you write a new one. Contact Larson Law Injury & Accident Lawyers today.