Should I Worry If I Have Leg Pain After a New Jersey Car Crash?

Leg pain after a crash may not always be something to be worried about. However, it is hard to tell in the immediate aftermath of a collision. You may have suffered an internal injury, such as a fracture, which is not always immediately visible.

Lynch Law Firm, PC talks about the types of injuries people experience in car crashes that could cause leg pain. We also discuss whether you can seek compensation for these injuries.

If you need legal help after being injured in a crash and would like to speak to one of our experienced car accident attorneys in New Jersey, we are prepared to answer your legal questions. Find out about your legal options at no cost to you.

Request your FREE case review today. (800) 518-0508

What Are Some Common Causes of Leg Pain After a New Jersey Car Crash?

Leg injuries are very common after a car crash. The force of an impact can cause victims to get thrown against objects, twisted around awkwardly or even crushed. Many people feel sore after a crash, so pain may not tell the whole story of how badly you are hurt. Some injuries, even leg injuries, are internal, which means you may not be able to see any damage.

Common injuries accompanied by leg pain may include:

Lacerations (deep cuts) or severe bruising

Bruising may be mild to severe, but it can still cause you to feel a lot of pain. Lacerations, or deep cuts, need immediate care to help prevent them from getting infected. Typically, these types of injuries are more visible, which means they are easier to diagnose. The biggest risk with any type of cut is preventing infection. If a cut is deep enough, you may also need stitches to help it heal properly. If a laceration becomes infected or your bruising starts to feel worse instead of better, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Soft Tissue Injuries

The human body has a lot of soft tissue to surround and protect your joints. In a crash, you could sustain damage to your muscles, ligaments, cartilage, tendons and more.

Symptoms of a soft-tissue injury may include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness in the joint
• Weakness of the affected area
• Bruising

Sprain and strain injuries are also common crash injuries and may be mild to severe. Often you might just need to use ice on the affected area. Doctors may also recommend rest, ice and elevation. Soft-tissue injuries can take a few weeks or longer to fully heal and may often require physical therapy to help strengthen the area. Soft-tissue injuries also range in severity and recovery time.

Bone Injuries

There are over 60 bones in your leg, starting from your hip and down to your toes. If you suffer one or more fractures, they could range from mild to severe. In some cases, you may not fracture the bone at all. But even if the bone is just bruised, something many people may not know is possible, it can take several months to heal and for the pain to disappear.

If you fractured one or more bones, your recovery time could be much longer. Depending on the severity and type of fracture, you may also need surgery.

Some fractures are severe enough that victims may need surgery as well as screws, wires, pins and plates to help hold the bones together while they heal. Even once the bone heals, these victims will likely still need physical therapy to rebuild the strength and mobility in their leg.

What Symptoms May Indicate a Serious Leg Injury?

The symptoms of a leg injury may vary, depending on the type and severity of the damage, but could include:

• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Popping
• Instability
• Pain that worsens
• Inability to bear weight
• Open wound or deep laceration
• Change in skin color or temperature (such as if the skin feels hot or looks inflamed)
• Reduced mobility
• And more

How Are Leg Injuries Commonly Treated?

The type of treatment you may need for leg pain after a car crash will depend on what type of injury you sustained.

If you sustained minor bruising or sprained muscles, you might only need rest, ice and elevation while it heals. However, if you tore a ligament in your leg or around your knee, you may need surgery, followed by physical therapy. Even if you do not require surgery, physical therapy is often needed to aid the recovery process to strengthen and increase the mobility of the injured area.

Fractures are more complicated injuries that may or may not require surgery. A compound fracture may require pins, screws, wires or plates to hold the bone together while it heals.

What Should I Do If I Have Leg Pain After a Crash?

Whether or not you have leg pain, you should always seek immediate medical attention after a crash. The reason for this is that many injuries are internal and can only be diagnosed with X-rays and other types of imaging tests. If another party is responsible for the crash that injured you, getting an immediate medical examination also helps protect any claim you may later decide to file.

If you do have a serious leg injury, getting immediate treatment can help to reduce your recovery time. It can also help to reduce the risk of other serious complications, such as blood clots or infections, that could develop without proper treatment.

Can I Seek Compensation for a Leg Injury After a Crash?

If your leg injury is the result of another driver’s negligence, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your damages.

In New Jersey, you can seek compensation for a leg injury resulting from a crash provided the injury was due to the negligence or fault of another party. Compensation you may be able to recover includes:

• Related medical costs (including surgery, physical therapy, doctor’s appointments, etc.)
• Lost wages if you were unable to work while recovering
• Depression, anxiety, emotional distress and other pain and suffering damages
• And more

New Jersey follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means victims may still be able to recover if they contributed to the crash in some way. That said, your share of fault cannot be greater than 50 percent. If you are partially at fault and pursue a claim, it is important to note that any compensation you are awarded will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

New Jersey is a No-Fault State

New Jersey is a no-fault state for car accidents, which means that, regardless of who caused the accident, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers your medical expenses up to the limit of your policy. However, if you sustain serious injuries, you may step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for additional damages, including pain and suffering.

Consulting with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and the best course of action in your situation.

Injured in a Serious Car Crash? Contact Lynch Law Firm Today

Dealing with the aftermath of a traffic accident can be overwhelming, especially if you are trying to recover from serious injuries. At Lynch Law Firm, PC, we are committed to supporting our clients through these challenging times. If you have been injured by the negligence of another driver and need legal advice, we strongly encourage you to call our law offices.

Our experienced attorneys in New Jersey have been helping injured crash victims for decades. We have a proven history of success, and we are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

There is no risk or obligation to you. Call to request a FREE case review today. If we determine that you have a case and choose our firm to represent you, there are no upfront costs or fees to pay.

Call today to learn more. We are here to help you. (800) 518-0508