Car Accident Leg Injuries

The force of an automobile accident combined with the confined space of the cab of a car can result in serious and painful injuries to the legs. The lower extremities of front seat occupants are close to the dashboard, putting them at risk of damage to the legs, knees, ankles and feet in a vehicle collision. Leg injuries in a car crash can range from mild to severe, and may require hospitalization, surgeries and rehabilitation.

Common Types of Leg Injuries in Car Accidents 

If the impact of a car accident propels the victim’s legs into objects within the vehicle, such as the steering column or dashboard, this can result in damage to the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves in the lower extremities. The most common leg injuries suffered in automobile accidents include:

• Bone fractures: a car accident could break any of the bones in the leg or foot, including the femur, tibia, fibula, patella and ankle. The femur (thigh bone) is one of the largest and strongest bones in the body; this type of fracture can have a long recovery time.
• Knee bursitis: inflammation of the bursae, or the sacs in the knees that protect the bones and muscles, can occur from impact between the knee and an object (such as the steering column or ignition) in a car accident. This impact can cause injury, swelling and pain to the knee joint.
• Torn meniscus or ACL: if the knee gets twisted in an automobile accident, it can cause stretching or tearing to the knee’s tendons and ligaments, including the meniscus or ACL. These injuries can cause knee instability, loss of motion or flexibility, stiffness, pain, weakness, and swelling.

Leg injuries can have a major impact on the rest of the victim’s life. Personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles have seen these injuries cause long-term or permanent disability, potentially interfering with the victim’s ability to work and engage in favorite hobbies or activities after the car accident.

Signs of a Leg Injury After a Car Accident

If you get involved in a car accident in California, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. You may have one or multiple injuries, including injuries to one or both legs. Potential signs of a leg injury include:

• Pain in the knee, thigh, shin or elsewhere in the lower body
• Swelling or bruising around the injured area
• Physical deformity in the leg, such as a bone that looks crooked
• Numbness or tingling in the legs, which can point to possible nerve damage
• The inability to stand on the leg or put weight on it

 Leg injuries from automobile accidents may require emergency medical interventions such as surgery to address a bone fracture, splints or casts, rods or screws to stabilize the leg or foot, physical therapy, rehabilitation, pain medications, and mobility assistive devices.

Liability for Leg Injuries in an Auto Accident in California

 If you suffer any leg injuries in a car accident in California, the at-fault party may be financially responsible (liable) for your related medical bills and other losses, including the wages you have lost from being unable to return to work, pain and suffering from the leg injury, and emotional damage. 

California’s fault-based law allows injured car accident victims to hold at-fault drivers liable for leg injuries. To recover financial compensation, however, you or your car accident attorney must prove fault. This requires evidence of fault, such as photos, video footage, eyewitness accounts, medical records and expert testimony.

A car accident lawyer in Los Angeles can help you achieve the best possible results for your leg injury claim through aggressive settlement negotiations or a personal injury trial. For a free consultation with an attorney about your recent leg injuries, contact Rose, Klein & Marias, LLP 24/7.