Common Types of Leg Injuries from Car Accidents

From whiplash and concussions to lifelong paralysis, the aftermath of a car accident can be painful and costly. By working with an experienced car accident lawyer, you can provide evidence for how much your leg injury impacts your day-to-day life when seeking financial recovery. A lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need while protecting your rights and negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf.

Most Common Leg Injuries in Car Accidents

The leg is a large body part made up of many areas, including your thighs, knees, ankles, and feet. All of which can be injured during a car accident in different ways. Here are some of the most common injuries that a victim can suffer from a car accident.

Broken Legs, Feet, Pelvis, or Ankles

The leg can break in several areas from a car accident. When a lot of force is applied to the leg during the accident, it can cause the bones to snap. 

There are three main areas in the leg that can become fractured:

1. Femur (thigh bone)
2. Tibia (shinbone)
3. Fibula (calf bone; runs along the other side from the tibia)

Broken femurs are especially common in car accidents because it takes a lot of force to break the thigh bone (one of the largest and strongest bones in your body). Femur bone fractures can take many months to heal and have been associated with injuries that are potentially life-threatening, so you should get treatment for a broken femur as soon as possible.

If you suffer a broken ankle, that stems from broken bones in your ankle joint, which also include the tibia and the fibula, as well as the talus (the bone underneath these two bones).

Any broken bones in the foot are known as metatarsals. 

Knee Bursitis

The knee contains cushion-like sacs called bursae that pad the bones, tendons, and muscles. In a car accident, these bursae can become inflamed, causing swelling, pain, and problems moving the knee joint.

Torn Meniscus

If the cartilage in the knee is rotated or twisted too much, it can tear and cause swelling, pain, and stiffness for the victim. 

ACL Injury

Your anterior cruciate ligament, also known as the ACL, connects your femur to your tibia and provides stability and flexibility to your knee joint. An ACL injury is common in car accidents and can cause pain, swelling, weakness, and popping in the knee joint.

Ligament Injuries

These involve pinching or even the severing of nerves, tendons, or muscles in the legs.

Lacerations

Car accidents can lead to cuts, perforations, or punctures of the tissues, skin, or even leg bones.

Amputations

In severe car accidents, the limb can be severed completely, requiring removal to prevent worse damage or even death.

How Serious Are the Most Common Leg Injuries in Car Accidents?

The leg is one of the most essential parts of the human body. We often take it for granted when we’re in good health, but your legs are your primary means of getting around, navigating stairs and terrain, and doing many of the things you do every day — from sports and exercise to hobbies to playing with young children.

As a result, any leg injury can be potentially life-changing. While not all leg injuries render you unable to walk, many do. And even those that don’t prevent walking may leave you with mobility issues or extreme pain on a daily basis.

Many common leg injuries get worse as you age or if you don’t get proper treatment. If you had a leg injury in a car accident, take it seriously from the start.

Do You Need an Attorney for Your Leg Accident Claim?

An attorney is always a helpful resource no matter how severe or minor the accident. That’s because an attorney can look over your claim to make sure you’re not missing anything you’re entitled to. The last thing we want to see is you settle your case leaving damages that were rightfully yours behind.

Not only that, but a lot of people prefer having an attorney negotiate with the insurance company for them. Insurance companies tend to be more willing to work with an attorney rather than a layperson, and they will try to get you to agree to a settlement that is way less than you deserve, even if you hold zero fault, because they’re a business and they don’t want to pay out.

Types of Damages You Can Include in a Leg Accident Claim

Some of the damages you can ask for in a leg accident claim include:

• Lost income, if you had to miss work while you recovered
• Medical bills, including prescriptions for pain relief
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium

A lawyer can review your case and advise you as to what damages you can claim based on the type of injury you have and how severe it is.

Contact Our Attorneys Today for Help

Don’t suffer through the aftermath of a leg injury alone. At John Foy & Associates, we’ve spent 20+ years helping personal injury victims pursue financial recovery for their injuries so they can get back on their feet as soon as possible. To get started, call us for a FREE consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help.