Leg injuries from a car accident can be painful and debilitating, and they can significantly impact a person’s life and mobility.
In this article, the Greenville car accident lawyers at David R. Price, Jr., P.A. explain what victims of car accident leg injuries need to know.
What Types of Leg Injuries Can Occur in a Car Accident?
Broken bones
The femur is the large bone in the upper leg. The fibula and tibia are the two long bones in the lower leg. The patella is the bone in the knee. There are 26 bones in the feet.
Any of these bones can be injured in a car accident. A broken bone can cause significant pain. Because the bones provide structure to soft tissues, a broken bone can limit mobility. Treatment may require surgery and immobilization. Surgery may result in placement of screws, rods, or metal plates, which may require removal or replacement in the future.
Cuts and lacerations
Cuts and lacerations to the legs can be painful. They can also be very serious. The femoral artery is critical to blood supply in the lower body, and a cut can be life-threatening. Lacerations may require emergency care and surgery. A victim may need to modify their daily activities until cuts and lacerations can heal.
Torn ligaments and tendons
The ligaments and tendons in the lower leg are key to mobility. The knee contains the anterior cruciate ligament (ALC) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL). The knee also has the quadriceps tendon, patella tendon, hamstring tendons, and iliotibial band. Injury to the ligaments or tendons of the knee can prevent movement and cause significant pain. Surgery may be required.
Dislocation
In the blunt force of a car accident, bone dislocation may occur. Bone dislocation is painful. Often, the person cannot move in a normal way after dislocation. Surgery is often required, and nearby nerves and muscle tissue can also suffer damage. After surgery, the victim is at risk for infection and complications.
Disfigurement
Leg injuries can result in disfigurement. A victim may need surgery to set a broken bone or repair a tendon or ligament. They may be left with scars and other visible signs of their car accident leg injuries.
Mobility difficulties
There are many ways that leg injuries may limit mobility. Bones provide structure for the muscles and soft tissues to move. When a bone is broken or dislocated, the person may no longer be able to move normally. Injury to the knee may prevent walking in a normal manner. Even lacerations may result in immobility while the body heals. People may require wheelchairs, walkers, or crutches, which significantly limit their ability to walk, work, drive, or perform activities of daily living.
Paralysis
If the leg is injured to the point that the nerves cannot relay signals to a limb, a victim may experience paralysis. Injuries to the spinal cord can inhibit the normal functioning of the leg.
Nerve damage
Nerve damage may create a variety of symptoms, from tingling and numbness to complete paralysis. A person with nerve damage may find that sensations and feelings are different than they were before the injury. They may have complications like a loss of bowel or bladder control. They may lose strength. Some types of nerve damage can be treated, but other types of nerve damage are permanent.
How do leg injuries occur in a car accident?
In a car accident, leg injuries may be the result of the following:
- Blunt force trauma
- Crushing
- Sharp objects
- Penetration from an object
- Explosion
- Fire
- Being thrown from the vehicle
- Being dragged against the ground
What to Know if You Have Car Accident Leg Injuries
If you have leg injuries from an automobile collision, this is what our car accident lawyers want you to know:
You may receive financial compensation
A person who is hurt in a car accident may deserve financial compensation. The right to compensation depends on who has fault for the accident. Whether you are a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, you may claim compensation from those responsible for the accident. To receive compensation, you must bring a legal case within the statute of limitations.
Medical treatment is important
It’s important that you get medical treatment right away when you have car accident leg injuries. There are two reasons.
First, medical treatment is important for your well-being. The treatment you receive may prevent additional injury. It can start your recovery and relieve pain.
Second, medical treatment creates a written record of what harm has occurred. This documentation is critical to your claim for financial compensation.
Your case may be worth more than you think
Compensation for car accident leg injuries may include compensation for both the financial and personal harms that you experience. You may receive compensation for pain and suffering, disfigurement, your inability to work, and other losses. You may also claim compensation for future losses like medical bills and personal care.
Your case may be worth more than you think. You deserve compensation for all the ways that you are impacted by a car accident.
Talk to a Greenville Car Accident Lawyer About Your Leg Injuries
If you have injured your leg in a car crash, then we can evaluate fault and sources of compensation.
Contact our lawyers at David R. Price, Jr., P.A. for your free consultation to talk about your claim today.
