Leg Injuries After a Car Accident

The most common types of leg injuries after a car accident include: 

• Leg fractures. These are among the most severe types of leg injuries from car accidents. The impact can cause breaks in the femur, tibia, fibula, or even in the smaller bones of the foot and ankle. Fractures can range from simple to compound fractures.
• Knee injuries: The knee is particularly vulnerable in car accidents. Common knee injuries include Anterior Cruciate Ligament ACL tears, meniscus tears, and patellar fractures.
• Soft tissue injuries: Soft tissue injuries involve damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the leg. They often include strains and sprains when the muscles and ligaments are overstretched or torn.
• Dislocations: A dislocation occurs when the bones in a joint become displaced. In car accidents, hip and knee dislocations are common and can be accompanied by ligament damage.
• Nerve damage: Trauma from a car accident can cause nerve damage in the legs, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness.

Physical therapy plays an important role in the recovery process for leg injuries after a car accident. It involves various techniques and exercises that can help restore leg function, improve mobility, reduce pain, and prevent long-term complications.

The first step in physical therapy is a thorough assessment by a licensed therapist. This evaluation includes understanding the extent of the injury, your range of motion, strength, and overall physical condition.

Based on the assessment, a physical therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan. This plan may include a combination of the following:

• Pain management techniques such as ice and heat therapy, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound.
• Range of motion exercises to help maintain or improve flexibility in the leg and knee.
• Strengthening exercises to support healing and prevent future injuries.
• Balance and gait training to regain stability and walking ability.
• Manual therapy to improve joint mobility and reduce scar tissue.

A physical therapist will also monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as necessary. This ensures that the recovery is on track and any issues are addressed promptly.

You may also be given exercises to perform at home to enhance your recovery. Adherence to these exercises is crucial for a successful outcome. Additionally, you may receive education on how to avoid future injuries and manage pain.

The value of a leg injury settlement after a car accident varies. It typically depends on the following factors: 

• The severity of the injury.
• Your medical expenses.
• Lost wages and future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering.
• Impact on your quality of life.

How does liability impact my leg injury compensation?

Liability plays a crucial role in determining compensation for leg injuries after a car accident. In many states, compensation is determined by comparative negligence rules. There are generally three systems of comparative negligence. These include: 

• Pure comparative negligence: Under this system, each party involved in a collision is assigned a percentage of fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re 30% at fault, and your total damages amount to $100,000, you would receive $70,000. This system allows you to recover compensation even if you are more at fault than the other party.
• Modified comparative negligence – 50% rule: This system is similar to pure comparative negligence, but with a key restriction. You can only recover damages if you are less than 50% at fault for the crash. If you’re 50% or more at fault, you’re barred from receiving any compensation.
• Modified comparative negligence – 51% rule: This is another variant where you are barred from recovering damages if you are found to be 51% or more at fault. It's slightly more lenient than the 50% rule, as you can still receive compensation if you are exactly 50% at fault.

You can still seek compensation after a car accident even if the other driver is uninsured. However, you’ll have to seek compensation from your own insurance company.

If your auto insurance policy includes uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, you can file a claim under this policy. UM coverage protects you in case you are in a collision with an uninsured driver. This coverage typically pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and sometimes pain and suffering.

Depending on your state and your insurance policy, you might have PIP or medical payments coverage, which can help pay for medical bills and other expenses regardless of fault.

If any of the above-mentioned options don’t apply, your own health insurance might cover your medical expenses. However, you might have to pay deductibles or co-pays, and your health insurance provider might seek reimbursement if you receive a settlement or award from other sources.

When you hire a Law.com Premier Attorney, they’ll be your legal advocate from start to finish. Dealing with insurance companies can often be confusing. Any mistakes in the claims process can result in your compensation being reduced, delayed, or denied. An experienced lawyer will deal with insurance companies on your behalf and negotiate for a fair settlement.

When building your case, a Premier Attorney will thoroughly investigate your crash and gather key evidence. That includes the police report, crash scene photos, witness statements, surveillance video, medical records, and cell phone records from the other driver.

Plus, it won’t cost you any money upfront to hire a Premier Attorney. They operate on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to worry about affording a lawyer. You only pay if they successfully recover your damages. To take the next step in building your claim, contact a Premier Attorney near you and schedule a free consultation.