Leg Pain After a Car Accident: 3 Things You Need to Know

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

Leg pain after a car accident can be a worrying symptom, indicating serious injuries for crash victims. Over 71,246 injuries were reported in Michigan crashes in 2021, an almost 17% increase from 2020. Many of these injuries likely included fractures, bruising, lacerations, or crush injuries, resulting in severe leg pain.

If you have leg pain after a car accident, there are several things you should know to protect your rights and get appropriate medical treatment. Our Michigan car accident lawyer at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C., can help you understand your rights after an injury-causing collision and seek compensation for your leg injuries.

Common Leg Injuries in Car Accidents

Several leg injuries can occur in a collision that may cause leg pain after a car accident. Vehicle collisions often damage a driver or passenger’s lower extremities, with injuries depending on the type of accident and seat position.

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study found 68% lower leg injuries in frontal crashes were due to floor intrusion. The study also found that 25% of lower leg injuries were due to the intrusion of foot controls and another 5% to the intrusion of the knee bolster or instrument panel.

Common leg injuries sustained in car accidents include:

• Broken bones (fractures): The sudden impact of a car crash can easily break bones in the legs, such as the femur (thigh bone), tibia and fibula (lower leg bones), and bones in the feet. Treatment typically involves casting, surgery, physical therapy, and potentially prolonged immobilization.
• Sprains and strains: These injuries involve damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. While less severe than fractures, they can still cause significant pain and mobility issues that may require physical therapy and rest to heal.
• Knee injuries: Knees can be particularly susceptible during car accidents, with injuries ranging from torn ligaments (such as the ACL or MCL) to dislocated or shattered kneecaps. These injuries often require surgical intervention and extensive physical therapy and can severely limit a victim’s mobility and quality of life.
• Crush injuries: These occur when the force of an accident causes part of the car to intrude into the passenger area, crushing the legs. These injuries can result in nerve and tissue damage and, in severe cases, may necessitate amputation.
• Cuts and lacerations: Broken glass and metal can cause deep cuts that may require stitches or surgery. In addition to immediate treatment, these injuries also carry a risk of infection and can leave lasting scars.

What Types of Accidents Can Cause Leg Injuries?

While any type of car accident can potentially result in leg pain after a car accident, certain types of collisions are more likely to cause harm to the lower extremities. These collisions are often caused by negligent drivers speeding, driving distractedly or under the influence, or not following traffic laws.

If you suffer a leg injury in an accident caused by an irresponsible driver, you can seek compensation with the help of an attorney from Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. We can help you file for personal injury protection insurance benefits or pursue a settlement from the driver’s insurance in a third party claim.

• Head-on collisions: Head-on collisions can be particularly devastating due to the combined speed of both vehicles at impact. Michigan saw 3,361 head-on collisions in 2021, with another 6,943 head-on-left turn accidents. Drivers and passengers often suffer severe lower extremity injuries in these accidents due to the direct frontal impact, which can push the engine compartment into the passenger area.
• Rear-end accidents: In a rear-end crash, occupants might instinctively brace their feet against the floor, leading to a higher risk of knee, foot, and lower leg injuries. There were 3,998 rear-end crashes in Michigan in 2021.
• T-bone accidents: Also known as side-impact or broadside collisions, these accidents can cause severe leg injuries, especially to the passenger or driver on the side of the vehicle that gets hit. The side of a car offers less protection, and the force of the impact can cause serious harm to a person’s legs. There were 5,146 side-impact crashes in 2021 in Michigan.
• Rollover accidents: Vehicles, especially SUVs and trucks, may roll over in high-speed collisions. Legs can be injured when crushed, struck by loose objects, or twisted unnaturally.

Determining Liability for Your Leg Injuries

Establishing who is responsible for your leg injuries following a car accident is key to securing rightful compensation. Your attorney’s role is pivotal in conducting a thorough investigation to gather all available evidence and determine liability for the accident.

At Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C., our attorneys will do the following to build your car accident claim and help you get the compensation you deserve:

• Investigate the accident: We will conduct a comprehensive investigation to gather evidence related to the car accident. This involves reviewing police reports, witness testimonies, and available surveillance footage.
• Accident scene analysis: We will examine the accident scene to assess factors such as road conditions, signage, visibility, and skid marks, which can help determine fault. We also analyze the damage to the vehicles involved in the accident to understand the dynamics of the crash and identify any contributing factors.
• Medical records review: Medical records play a critical role in establishing a direct link between the accident and your injuries. Senior partner attorney and registered nurse Eileen Kroll can review your medical records to establish a connection between the crash and your leg pain and injuries.
• Cell phone records and other documentation: In cases involving suspected distraction, such as texting while driving, we may scrutinize cell phone records to gather evidence of negligence. Additional relevant documentation, such as the at-fault driver’s history and vehicle maintenance records, may also be assessed to establish a pattern of negligence.
• Expert witnesses: If necessary, we may consult expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists or medical professionals, to provide testimony and support your case.
• Negotiating with insurance companies: Using collected evidence, we will negotiate to secure fair compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other applicable damages.
• Pursuing legal action: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, we will guide you through filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. We will present the evidence in court and advocate for your rights to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Protecting Your Rights After a Car Accident

The fallout from a car accident can be challenging and overwhelming when dealing with painful leg injuries. Ensuring you receive the proper treatment and fair compensation can help your recovery and financial stability after a crash.

At Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., our team understands the Michigan legal system and is dedicated to fighting for your rights and the compensation you deserve. Whether it’s helping you navigate Michigan’s no-fault law, collecting vital evidence, or negotiating with insurance companies, we are ready to help you during this challenging time.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us guide you through the legal maze and help you start on the path toward recovery from leg pain after a car accident.

Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 1-866-MICH-LAW and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.