Muscle Weakness After a Car Accident

The first few days after an accident can feel like a blur. You may have pain in places you didn’t know existed. Discomfort can include muscle strain, broken bones and more. After an accident, some people may experience muscle weakness, making completing daily tasks more difficult.

If you’ve been in an auto accident, visiting an injury doctor for a thorough evaluation is important for gaining peace of mind and taking the proper steps toward healing. Muscle fatigue after a car accident can be a sign of nerve damage or other serious conditions that require professional treatment to improve your discomfort. 

Here’s more about muscle weakness, what causes it and when you need to see a medical professional for treatment.

What Does Muscle Weakness Feel Like?

Usually, your muscles feel tired after you use them for an extended period of time — for example, after a workout at the gym. Unexplained muscle weakness can feel similar, although it’s usually more severe. After an accident, you may have difficulty completing normal tasks because your muscles won’t respond like usual when you try to move. 

Fatigue or muscle spasms after a car accident can feel like: 

• Inability to hold things: You might have trouble carrying groceries, holding onto cups or keeping your body steady during regular activity.
• Tingling or numbness: Your muscles might experience a pins and needles feeling. If you have tingling or numbness, there is likely a nerve issue underlying your muscle weakness.
• Heaviness or fatigue: Your muscles might feel unusually tired, even if you haven’t used them very much. 
• Sudden cramping: Muscle spasms can be painful, causing your muscles to suddenly tighten. 

For a few days after an accident, you might notice a variety of physical symptoms as your body responds to the trauma it’s been through. If these symptoms persist, occur at a high level or get worse with time, seek the support of a trusted healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. 

Why Are My Legs So Weak After a Car Accident?

There are several explanations for why you may experience muscle weakness after a car accident. Usually, muscle weakness is a symptom of another injury. Regardless of the cause, weak muscles can be a sign of a more serious problem that requires immediate medical attention. Here are some common injuries that can cause weak legs after a car accident:

• Whiplash: Whether or not you hit your head, you can experience whiplash after an accident. This injury wrenches the muscles and ligaments in your neck. It can cause nerve damage, leading to weakness, numbness or tingling in your arms or legs. 
• Spinal injury: Anytime your spine experiences strain, that can be passed on to your nervous system and the rest of your body. Herniated discs or a spinal cord injury can lead to compressed nerves and weak arms and legs. If you suspect you have a spine injury, see a doctor immediately — this kind of injury can lead to partial paralysis if not treated. 
• Concussion: You can experience a concussion whether or not you hit your head during an accident. Concussions are damage to your brain from being shaken inside your skull. With enough rest, the brain usually recovers completely. However, fatigue and muscle weakness can be side effects of a concussion.
• Nerve damage: If your nerves are injured during an accident, your brain may have difficulty communicating with your muscles. This can cause weakness, fatigue and a loss of sensation until your nervous system recovers. You may experience nerve damage from broken bones, blunt force trauma or twisting movements during impact.
• Soft tissue damage: Car accidents can strain muscles or damage soft tissues in your body, even if there’s no visible injury. Damaged muscles and tendons can cause weakness or excessive fatigue, especially during everyday movements. With time and the proper treatment, these injuries should heal, and your muscles will regain their strength. 

These injuries can also cause arm weakness after a car accident — every person reacts differently to accident trauma. Damage to your spinal cord and nervous system can easily travel down your arms and legs, affecting your muscles’ ability to respond to your brain. While some nerve damage can heal on its own, other injuries require professional care for recovery. 

For example, pinched nerves can be significantly improved with chiropractic care. With professional imaging and diagnostic services, an injury care doctor can help you understand the extent of damage to your body from an accident. Then, you can work together on a treatment plan to actively pursue healing.

When Do You Need Medical Help?

We encourage anyone who has been in a car accident to be seen by a medical doctor to rule out injuries since it can take time for injuries to present. Because you have only 14 days in the State of Florida to be seen by a doctor or risk losing your PIP benefits, it’s a layer of security and peace of mind.

Even if your symptoms aren’t serious, getting medical help can speed up your recovery. A medical professional can help you determine whether your injuries will resolve on their own or need treatment. The earlier you receive care, the faster your body can heal and the less pain you’ll experience along the way. 

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately: 

• Numbness or tingling that persists
• Weakness or paralysis anywhere in your body
• Severe pain in your neck, back or other areas
• Difficulty walking or poor balance
• Blurred vision or dizziness

People who bump their heads during an accident may also experience some confusion. If you have any of these symptoms or injured your head, you need to see a doctor. These are signs that you may have a concussion, nerve damage or a spinal injury — all serious conditions that require treatment for the best outcome. Choosing medical professionals who specialize in injury care can be highly advantageous for your healing journey. 

Find Affordable Injury Care at Complete Care

If you’re experiencing prolonged weakness or heaviness in your arms or legs after an accident, you need to see a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment. While some injuries resolve on their own, others are more serious and can lead to lasting damage without the proper care. 

At Complete Care, we offer affordable injury care to Central Florida residents. We offer same-day, walk-in and telehealth appointments and provide comprehensive injury care at one location. You can access diagnostic imaging, chiropractic care, neurology and more, all without having to change locations. 

We’re passionate about helping people recover from auto and workplace injuries. If you’re experiencing muscle weakness after an accident, don’t wait another day for care. Request an appointment today to find the treatment you need to heal and recover!