When many people think of common car accident injuries, head and spinal cord injuries often come to mind. However, leg injuries account for more than 40 percent of all accident victim injuries.
Leg injuries are most common in a frontal collision, likely due to the small amount of legroom cars provide for people sitting in the front seat. Such a tight space makes it difficult for occupants to move. Coupled with short reaction times, this makes legs vulnerable to injury.
Types of Car Accident Leg Injuries
The most common types of car accident leg injuries include the following:
- Broken bones. Car accidents place an incredible amount of pressure on the human body, and in the lower half, there are 60 bones that are at risk of breaking in a crash. Many of these injuries are so severe that victims will need to have surgery to make the repairs. A broken femur (thigh bone) is especially common, and these large bones can take a long time to heal. The steering wheel, dashboard, and car doors can smash and crush leg bones.
- Nerve damage. Often nerve damage isn’t immediately apparent after a crash, but some signs to watch out for include weakness, numbness, twitching, sensitivity, burning sensation, or tingling.
- Knee injuries. Knee injuries, including those to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), can be excruciating. This tearing of the connective tissue of the knee contributes to the overall weakness of the knee and often requires surgery. A torn meniscus is another common injury that occurs when the soft stretch of cartilage in the knee tears, rendering victims unable to put any pressure on that knee.
- Amputations. These are usually divided into two categories: traumatic and surgical amputation. In a traumatic amputation, the limb is severed during the crash itself. In a surgical amputation, a badly injured limb cannot be repaired and is instead amputated.
The Costs Involved With Car Accident Leg Injuries
Our legs are something we take for granted when we are in good health. But when you’ve injured your legs in a car crash, it can be difficult to perform everyday tasks. Such an injury can impact every part of your life, including your work and hobbies. The healing process can be long and complicated, often requiring surgery and rehabilitation. A leg injury can potentially be life-changing. Even if you are able to walk after a leg injury, you might suffer from chronic pain or reduced mobility on a daily basis—particularly if you don’t get proper treatment immediately after your injury.
Your first step in collecting damages involves filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You can ask for the other driver’s insurance to pay the medical treatment costs, rehabilitation and therapy, out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, and for your pain and suffering.
It’s simple to file an insurance claim, but getting a fair settlement is not. The goal of any insurance company is to pay out as little as possible, which is why it’s so important to work with an attorney if you are to get the compensation you deserve.
Why You Need a Lawyer
If you have suffered leg injuries in a car accident that was not your fault, you need an attorney who is experienced with Northern Virginia car accidents. Navigating the claims process and working with insurance companies without an attorney can be a challenge that could cost you financially. Working with an attorney can help ensure you get the maximum amount of damages.
Don’t suffer through the aftermath of a car accident alone. Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our attorneys will go over the details of your case and help gather evidence to prove the other driver was at fault. We will work to help you negotiate a fair car crash settlement. You will pay nothing up-front. We work on a contingency basis, so we will only get paid if you get paid.
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