Leg Injuries in Car Accidents
A car accident can happen at any time. When one does happen, it can cause a lot of injuries. A common injury is a leg injury.
The legs are commonly affected due to the impact involved in a crash. You could hit your knees against a part of the car. The impact could break an ankle or cause tears to muscles or tendons.
Leg injuries can be painful and require many months of healing. It’s important to ensure you get compensation for these and other injuries. Here are some common leg injuries caused by car accidents.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are some of the most common car accident injuries. Broken bones may seem painful and readily apparent, especially in your legs, but the adrenaline from a car accident can mask the pain. You may not know you have a broken leg until days later. It’s important to seek legal help right away if you hurt your leg.
Knee Injuries
The knee is the biggest joint in your body. It has bones, cartilage, and ligaments, all which help you walk. Any of these can be injured in a crash. A crash can cause bursitis, which is inflammation of the cushion sacs in the knee. You can suffer from a torn meniscus, which is when the cartilage in the knee is twisted too much. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects your femur to the tibia. An ACL injury can lead to pain, weakness, and swelling in the knee joint.
Foot and Toe Injuries
In a car accident, the foot’s position on the pedals or the floor often exposes it to injury. These injuries can range from simple bruises to fractures. Foot and toe injuries can make it difficult to walk.
Thigh Injuries
Thigh injuries often involve the femur, which is one of the strongest bones in the body. If injured or broken, this can result in extreme pain and mobility issues.
Dislocations
A dislocation occurs when the two bones pull apart. This injury normally presents itself right away. Pain and loss of mobility in a joint can indicate a dislocation.
Muscle Damage
Muscles in the legs can be injured by strains and tears. Minor muscle damage heals on its own, but in severe cases, it can lead to compartment syndrome, which is when pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels. This is a medical emergency, so seek immediate treatment.
Nerve Damage
Car accidents can cause nerve damage in the legs. Symptoms of nerve damage include numbness, tingling, and burning sensations. Some people also experience pain and muscle weakness. These injuries can affect the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Any part of the body can be injured in a crash but legs can be especially affected. That’s because legs consist of feet, ankles, knees, hips, and other parts.
If you have been injured in a crash, a Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC can assist. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation by filling out the online form or calling 281-347-3247.
Source:
forbes.com/advisor/legal/auto-accident/car-crash-injuries/
