Car Accident Leg Injuries

Experiencing a car accident is frightening and can be life-altering if the victim suffers severe injuries. An injury can change the way you’re able to navigate through everyday life. Depending on your injury type, you may have mobility issues or suffer from mental health conditions like PTSD. 

People who suffer from car accident leg injuries may need extensive assistance for recovery. A leg injury can leave you unable to walk and may require surgery to repair. There are multiple types of leg injuries, but some of the most common ones are knee-related.

If you’ve suffered car accident leg injuries, you may need assistance recovering damages for your medical costs. The skilled attorneys at Morgan and Morgan are here to help. Contact our firm today to schedule your free case consultation.

Types of Car Accident Leg Injuries

Car accident leg injuries are common in severe car crashes, particularly in T-bone or head-on collisions. During these types of accidents, the force of the collision may thrust a driver and passenger into the vehicle’s front. If the impact is severe enough, the car's dashboard or other components can crush or pierce the legs.

Various types of leg injuries that a victim may experience include the following:

Broken Bones

A broken bone is typical when heavy objects press against the legs in certain areas, including the knee, ankle, or foot bones. People who experience a broken bone in their leg might be unable to walk, or it may be excruciating to do so. 

Sometimes, doctors can repair broken bones by immobilizing them in a cast until they grow back together appropriately. However, surgery is usually necessary if there are multiple fractures to the bone or if it shatters.

Broken bones can take several months to heal and require physical therapy to recover fully. Individuals of advanced age may require more extensive treatment.

Strains or Sprains

Strains or sprains are mild leg injuries, but they can be very painful. Depending on the location of the injury, the victim may require mobility assistance for several weeks or months. Strains or sprains occur commonly in the knee joint and ankle. 

A severe ankle sprain may require the victim to use crutches or a wheelchair until the muscles or tendons repair themselves. Mild sprains can resolve within a few days and may not require much more than rest. 

Torn Meniscus

A torn meniscus is a knee injury caused by unnatural knee joint bending. During a severe car crash, the force of the impact can cause knee twisting. A minor tear to the meniscus may require rest and ice, but fierce tears can require surgery and months of rest and rehabilitation for a full recovery.

ACL or MCL Tear

An ACL or MCL tear involves torn ligaments in the knee. People who experience these types of car accident leg injuries may hear a popping sound and experience immediate pain and swelling. Like a severe tear to the meniscus, damage to the ACL or MCL ligaments usually requires surgery and lengthy recovery times.

Dashboard Knees

It’s not uncommon for people’s knees to hit the dashboard during a significant accident. In this type of injury, the shin bone is forced upward, harming the knee or thighs. Dashboard knees typically cause lots of pain and swelling and may require several weeks to recover from.

Amputation

An amputation is the worst type of leg injury a victim can face. While uncommon, amputations involve the partial or complete removal of the leg. People who undergo an amputation can experience lifelong disabilities that can significantly impact their ability to perform everyday activities like driving and walking.

Symptoms of Car Accident Leg Injuries

If you’re in a car accident, you’re susceptible to all types of injuries and wounds. A leg injury is generally pretty obvious, as you may find it difficult to stand up or walk following the accident. 

Here are some symptoms of a leg injury to look out for if you’re in a car accident:

• Pain in the leg
• Difficulty twisting or turning the leg
• Swelling of the kneecap
• Bruises or contusions
• A loud popping noise
• Inability to stand up
• Bones that bulge in the legs 

You might be able to recognize the signs of a leg injury immediately following a car accident. However, sometimes people’s adrenaline levels significantly increase during and after a collision. Increased adrenaline levels can mask pain symptoms, and the person may not realize that they’ve sustained a severe injury.

Even if you don’t believe that you have leg injuries following a car crash, getting checked out by a doctor at a hospital is never a bad idea. A doctor can alert you to any hidden issues you may not know about, like whiplash or internal bleeding. 

Seeking a doctor’s attention ensures that you have a record of the injuries you’ve sustained if you need to pursue a lawsuit.

Damages You Can Recover From Car Accident Leg Injuries

A severe injury to your leg can inhibit your ability to walk, run, or perform your typical responsibilities. Some injuries require only gentle treatment, like rest and elevation, while others require months or years of rehabilitation. 

Individuals who experience injuries to their leg can recover damages for their medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of quality of life. A lawyer can help you determine how much money you can recover in a legal claim.

Your damage award will typically include remuneration for your hospital treatment, surgery, doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other medical costs.

Your lawyer will consider your past medical expenses and assess your expected future costs. In some cases, they’ll consult with your doctor and medical experts to understand the extent of your injuries and the treatment you’ll require.

Your damages can vary extensively, depending on various factors. The severity of your injuries is one element, but other factors are also important. Your state’s rules concerning negligence, the limits of your or the other driver’s insurance policies, and your lawyer’s negotiation skills can also impact your settlement or award. 

A qualified attorney can assess your case to determine how much you can recover in a lawsuit.

How Much Money Is My Car Accident Leg Injury Worth?

The value of a car accident case involving leg injuries can vary significantly. Mild injuries typically result in a lower settlement, while severe injuries may result in a much higher payout. Your state’s rules concerning negligence and the limits of insurance policies will also play a role in the value of your case.

For an approximate value of your case, we recommend you seek assistance from a qualified lawyer. Without legal help, it’s extremely difficult to value a claim.

Will My Leg Injury Case Go to Trial?

Most personal injury cases resolve through the settlement process, not a trial. Very few personal injury claims ever see the inside of a courtroom. Instead, your lawyer will negotiate an appropriate settlement for you with the defendant, usually represented by their insurance provider.

However, if your attorney cannot resolve your claims through a settlement, they’ll take the case to court. At Morgan & Morgan, we do not accept settlements that aren’t representative of our client’s losses. We’d rather battle the issue in the courtroom than see you unfairly compensated for your losses.

What Should I Do if I Can’t Work Due to a Leg Injury?

Leg injuries can be excruciating, and if they limit your mobility, you may be unable to work. Individuals who work in roles that require them to be on their feet for most of the workday may lose their source of employment.

If you can’t work due to a leg injury, you may need to file for unemployment or seek disability benefits while you recover. An attorney at Morgan and Morgan can help you navigate the available options.

How Long Will It Take to Recover Compensation for My Leg Injury?

In some cases, we can recover compensation for you through a settlement within a few months. If the insurance provider offers adequate payment for your losses, you should receive a check quickly.

However, your case will go to court if the insurance provider is unwilling to provide a fair settlement. A court case can take several years to resolve since both sides will need to prepare for the trial and adhere to the court’s availability.

Should I See a Doctor if I Have Knee Pain After an Accident?

If you have knee pain following a car accident, you should see a doctor, even if it seems mild. Knee injuries can worsen if individuals don’t receive the proper treatment. While you may think you can walk off the damage or time will take care of it, a doctor will be able to assess whether it requires rest or potential surgery.

How Can I Maximize Compensation for My Leg Injury After an Accident?

First, you’ll want to seek medical attention for the injury. Seeing a doctor ensures you have a treatment record and helps you get the care you need to start your recovery. You should also take pictures of your injuries for further documentation following the car accident.

Next, seek the advice of an attorney. An attorney can offer advice regarding various alternatives for recovering compensation for your claim.

What Should I Do if an Insurance Provider Contacts Me?

It’s not unusual for insurance providers to contact you in the aftermath of an accident, especially if your injuries are severe. The insurance provider may ask you to provide a written or orally recorded statement concerning the accident.

Providing a statement to an insurance company isn’t beneficial to your claim. The insurance provider may attempt to get you to make a comment that negatively impacts your case. Sometimes, they may dangle a settlement offer that doesn’t reflect what you deserve.

If an insurance provider contacts you, it’s best not to give any information about the accident until you speak with an attorney, especially if you have severe injuries. An attorney can act on your behalf in communications with insurance providers.

At all costs, you should avoid accepting any settlement from an insurance provider until you consult with an attorney. 

Morgan & Morgan: Persistent Car Accident Attorneys

The attorneys at Morgan and Morgan have extensive experience helping individuals recover damages following severe car accidents. Our attorneys have helped thousands of individuals with many types of personal injury claims, including those for automobile collisions. 

If someone else’s negligence has caused you to suffer car accident leg injuries, contact us today to schedule your free case review.