Twelve Injuries That May Cause Leg Pain After a Car Accident
The right attorney can fight for maximum compensation
After a car accident, some injuries are obvious, like broken bones or lacerations, while others may not be immediately apparent. Leg pain after a car accident can be immediate, or it can develop over time. Delayed pain may be a sign of a serious underlying injury. Accident victims should always seek medical attention as soon as possible after a crash. Even if it has been days since the accident, it is still a good idea to see a doctor.
Bronx crash victims with leg pain need to know about injuries that cause leg pain, medical options, and claim value. The following information about leg pain injuries and settlements is general and may not apply to all cases. If you were injured in an accident and need information specific to your case, contact Giampa Law for a free case consultation.
Types of injuries that can lead to leg pain after a car accident
Pain in a car accident victim’s leg may be due to crash impact, being hit by another object, or getting trapped under wreckage, among other traumatic events. Car accident injuries that may cause leg pain include:
- Also referred to as contusions, bruises occur when blood vessels beneath the skin tear or burst.
- If the bruise is large and the body cannot clean up the bleeding, it may wall it off. This lump is referred to as a hematoma. Hematomas may require medical treatment to remove if they don’t resolve on their own after a few days.
- Sprains, strains, and tears. Soft tissue damage like torn or overstretched muscles, inflamed tendons, and torn ligaments can cause severe pain and decrease hip, knee, or ankle joint function.
- Cuts and lacerations. Deep cuts may require stitches, staples, skin grafts, and a lot of rest to heal properly.
- Leg bone fracture. Any of the bones that make up the leg (the tibia, fibula, and femur) can be fractured in a car crash. The lower leg bones are especially vulnerable if the car collapses around them.
- Deep vein thrombosis. DVT happens when a large blood clot (hematoma) develops and gets stuck in a leg vein.
- Leg burns in a car accident are usually the result of fire, chemical exposure, or friction.
- Compartment syndrome. When swelling, bruising, and inflammation in the leg increases, it can restrict blood flow to an area or “compartment” of the leg.
- Leg bones can become dislocated when the body is destabilized in a car accident. Sometimes leg bones come to rest in new locations.
- Some types of injuries in the lower back, including herniated discs and fractured vertebrae, can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, which carries signals from the spinal cord to the legs.
- Crushing injuries. The legs can be crushed in a collision.
- Traumatic brain injuries. Although brain injuries are more commonly associated with head, neck and shoulder pain, damage to the brain can also cause muscle tension in other parts of the body, including the legs.
Medical treatment when car accidents cause leg pain
There are several ways to medically treat leg pain after a car accident. During a medical examination, a doctor will assess severity, diagnose the injury, and recommend the best course of treatment. The most common treatments for leg pain after a car accident include:
- RICE: Rest – Ice – Compression - Elevation
- Over-the-counter pain medication
- Physical therapy
Some types of injury may require surgery. Sometimes, multiple surgeries are necessary to heal leg injuries. Surgical options may include:
- Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) to repair a broken bone by realigning the bones and then stabilizing them with plates, screws, or rods.
- This minimally invasive surgery is used to repair damage to the knee joint, such as torn ligaments or cartilage.
- Tendon repair. Restores the tendon, a band of tissue that connects muscle to bone.
- Nerve repair.
- In some cases, a person may need to have their leg amputated if the injury is too severe to be repaired.
What is the average leg pain settlement?
In New York, injured car accident victims deserve compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain, damaged property, and more. However, there is no average settlement for leg pain after a Bronx car accident. The severity of the injury and the impact on the victim's life vary greatly from case to case. Factors that determine how much a case is worth include:
- Injury severity
- Required medical treatment
- Impact on the victim's ability to work and earn income
- Impact on the victim's quality of life
- The fault of the other driver
In general, the more severe an injury is, the more compensation an injured car accident victim may recover. Many leg injuries can have significant costs because the role of the legs in mobility and independence. An experienced New York car accident attorney can help. They can listen to case details and give victims a personal assessment of their claim’s value.
4 ways car accident victims with leg pain can maximize injury compensation
Crash victims can take steps to increase the amount of injury compensation they recover, including:
- Seek medical attention immediately. This will help to document the injuries and the extent of the pain.
- Keep a record of the injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Obtain a copy of the police report. This will provide important information about the accident, such as the names and insurance information of the other drivers involved.
- Contact an experienced Bronx car accident attorney. Attorneys help crash victims understand their legal rights and options. They conduct thorough investigations, collect evidence, and negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation.
Get an attorney right away to help with your leg injury claim
If you have leg pain after a New York car accident, the legal knowledge and experience of the lawyer you choose can make a big difference. An experienced Bronx car accident lawyer has a deep understanding of how state law and local courts work. We know how to advocate for victims and fight for maximum compensation.
Giampa Law has decades of experience helping accident victims in the Bronx and throughout New York get the compensation they deserve. Our law firm has the resources and integrity to fight for your rights. If you have been injured in a car accident, contact Giampa Law today for a free consultation.
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