In 2016, more than 4.5 million Americans needed medical treatment following car crashes, according to statistics by the National Safety Council, including 143,862 people in Texas.
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your knees or legs after a car accident, seeking medical attention, diagnoses and treatment is your number one priority. But, you must also seek legal advice and representation in order to receive fair compensation for your injuries.
TEXAS CAR CRASH INJURY STATISTICS FOR 2016
| IncapacitatingInjuries | Non-Incapacitating Injuries | Unknown Severity |
Total Fatalities |
Total Crashes | |
| Ft. Worth | 659 | 2,662 | 2,955 | 84 | 16,442 |
| TEXAS | 11,266 | 61,890 | 74,742 | 1,958 | 436,748 |
Courtesy of the Texas Department of Transportation
Knee Injuries Caused by a Car Accident can be Permanent
Your knees are vulnerable in every type of crash, from head-on collisions to rear-end crashes and roll-over accidents. Your knee can be jolted suddenly or slammed by the dashboard, steering wheel or car door, and neither seatbelts nor airbags can adequately protect your knees in a violent crash.
The most common source of pain following an accident is a damaged Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) or an injured Posterior Collateral Ligament (PCL). Both of these injuries produce pain, swelling and a “knee popping” sound. If a ligament in the knee is ruptured, it will cause unbearable pain and may lead to permanent disability. Head-on collisions are known to fracture or shatter the tibia (shinbone), and other serious injuries to the legs incurred in a car accident include:
- Dislocated knees
- Twisted ligaments
- Ruptured tendons
- Ligament hyperextension
- Knee fractures
Hip Injuries Caused by a Road Collision are Excruciating
The jarring impact to your hips in a head-on crash, often amplified by the seat belt, can cause severe injury to the femur bone, deep bruises, and dislocation of the hip joints. Any hip injury sustained in a motor vehicle crash will be extremely painful, including shooting pains to the side when walking is attempted, and an inability to sit upright without severe discomfort. Treatment often includes surgery to embed screws and plates, or in many cases hip replacement surgery. If you have suffered leg or hip injuries in a recent car accident, the recovery and rehabilitation process is long and costly, so you would be wise to let a reputable personal injury lawyer help you get the best care and the highest compensation for your troubles. In addition to medical bills and rehabilitation therapy costs, psychological counseling must often be included when a car accident robs you of your mobility.
What to do if Your Femur Bone is Fractured in a Car Accident
If your thigh is banged up in a car accident, there is a good chance you have fractured your femur, the main bone that connects your knee to your hip. It happens often to drivers because a front-end crash will force your thighs to impact the bottom of the steering wheel. This produces a dull pain in the thigh area and may throw your thigh and hip out of alignment. A doctor and an X-ray are the best ways to assess the internal damage. An untreated femur injury can result in a lifelong limp or other handicap that interferes with the quality of your life, and treatment may require the insertion of steel pins as well as months or years of rehabilitation.
Ankle Injuries Sustained in a Car Crash
While most people think of spinal cord and brain damage when they think of incapacitating car accident injuries, and monetary compensation, ankle injuries can be very devastating. Your ankles bear the entire weight of your body, and they stabilize your body when you stand, walk and turn. Any damage to your ankles because of a car accident can affect your daily routine, your ability to walk, and your ability to work.
In the split-second it takes for your body to react to a car crash, your first reaction is to brace yourself for impact by slamming one or both feet against the floorboard or nearest hard surface. Unfortunately, this knee-jerk reaction to a roadway collision can inflict a brutal compression injury. In fact, a torn ligament in the ankle is so painful and takes so long to heal that medical professionals say it’s often a faster recovery time if you break an anklebone than tear a ligament. If your ankle was sprained or fractured in a car accident, you will experience severe pain and swelling in the area, accompanied by an inability to move your foot from side to side.
Call Patterson Law Group If You’ve Been Injured In a Car Accident
If you are suffering from knee, thigh or lower leg pain following a vehicle crash, call Patterson Law Group for a free consultation today so you can start getting back on your feet. We strive to give those who have been wrongfully injured the justice they deserve.
