It’s not uncommon to experience leg pain — including knee pain, foot pain, and shin pain — after an accident. Pain resulting from injuries like fractured leg bones, deep cuts, or crush injuries is easy to diagnose. However, other causes of leg pain after a car accident, such as soft tissue injuries, aren’t always so apparent.
It’s important to seek medical attention immediately after an accident, even if you don’t believe you were injured. Even minor leg pain, stiffness, or bruising could indicate a serious internal injury. The sooner your injuries are diagnosed and treated, the better your chances for a full recovery.
Cuts, Abrasions, and Bruises
Cuts, abrasions, and bruises (also known as contusions) are common accident injuries that can result in leg pain.
Cuts occur when the skin becomes ripped or torn and an immediate danger from a severe cut is blood loss. Severe cuts may require immediate medical attention to stop the bleeding and stitches to ensure it heals properly.
Abrasions occur when the outer layer of skin is scraped against a hard surface. Abrasion injuries, such as “road rash,” are a common motorcycle accident injury but can occur in a car accident as well. Abrasions can be treated with medicated ointments and dressings.
Without proper care, cuts and abrasions can become infected, causing further complications.
Bruises occur when the blood vessels beneath the skin become damaged and rupture. The blood leaks into the surrounding skin, causing it to take on a black and blue appearance. Severe bruising can result in limited leg motion, pain, swelling, and tenderness.
In most instances, bruises resolve themselves. If the bruising is too extensive, the body may be unable to cleanse itself of the blood trapped beneath the skin. Lumps called hematoma can begin to form and may require medical treatment to remove.
Blood Clots Can Be Life-Threatening
Trauma to the soft tissues of the leg can impair blood flow, leading to the formation of a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), or blood clot. These DVT clots are dangerous because they can break away and be carried through the bloodstream to other parts of the body and can potentially cause problems. For example, a pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs.
Bone Fractures and Dislocations
While a severe bone fracture may be visible, a hairline fracture or joint displacement may not be. Even minor bone fractures and displacements require treatment to prevent further damage. A thorough medical examination immediately following the accident will reveal the presence of minor bone fractures. Left untreated, these types of injuries can result in chronic pain and problems with walking and balancing.
Soft Tissue Injuries and Leg Pain
Injuries to the soft tissues of the legs — muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage — are another common cause of leg pain after an auto accident. Strains and sprains can occur when the soft tissues in the knees, hips, lower legs or ankles become ripped or torn. Damage to the joints and ligaments can cause severe pain and require extensive surgery to repair.
Spinal Injuries Can Result in Leg Pain After a Car Accident
It’s possible your leg pain isn’t the result of a leg injury, but a spinal injury. Pain, numbness, and tingling in the legs are a sign that you may have suffered a herniated disc or other spinal injuries in the accident. Surgery may be required to relieve the pressure on the affected nerves.
You May Be Entitled to Compensation for the Injuries Causing Your Leg Pain After a Car Accident
While leg injuries are rarely fatal, they can be serious enough to permanently impair a victim’s ability to walk, stand, run, or climb stairs. In addition to chronic pain, these injuries can require ongoing medical treatment and make it impossible to return to work or everyday life.
If your legs were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for the damages caused by your accident, including:
- Current medical bills
- Ongoing medical expenses
- Loss of wages
- Pain and suffering
To fully protect your rights, first, seek medical treatment for your pain and then contact a Winter Haven personal injury attorney.
Get Help from a Winter Haven Auto Injury Attorney Today
Tania Rivas is a Winter Haven car accident attorney dedicated to protecting the rights of her clients and obtaining the maximum compensation they are due for the damages caused by their car accident injuries. Tania has obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements for clients throughout Central Florida, including Winter Haven, Lutz, and Lakeland.
Contact Rivas Law Group online or call us at (877) 299-5539 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your auto accident injuries. Tania will review your case, answer any legal questions you may have, and provide professional advice on the best way to proceed with your personal injury claim.
