Car accident injuries can be life-changing, both physically and mentally. At worst, a severe car accident may mean becoming a paraplegic, losing a limb, or even paralysis.
No one wants to be in a car accident, but it’s an unfortunate reality for many drivers. While leg injuries from car accidents are uncommon, they do happen.
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident resulting in a leg injury, you might wonder who is responsible. You’re also probably wondering what you should do next.
To help, here’s everything you need to know about car accident liability and leg injuries.
Types of Leg Injuries in Car Accidents
Leg injuries from car accidents come in various forms. The extent of the leg injury depends on the force of the collision and where the person was sitting in the car. Some common leg injuries from car accidents include:
Fractures
Car accidents can break the leg bones, like the thigh bone (femur), shin bone (tibia), or calf bone (fibula). Car crash leg fractures can be very painful and often need surgery and rehabilitation.
Knee Problems
The knee is a complicated joint, and car accidents can harm it, causing injuries like torn ligaments or damaged cartilage. These injuries can be painful and make it hard to move your knee.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Sometimes, accidents cause injuries to the soft parts of your leg, like muscles and ligaments. This can result in pain and difficulty using your leg properly.
Crush Injuries
In really bad accidents, your legs might get trapped or crushed. This can lead to serious knee and ankle injuries that could mean losing a limb.
Determining Who’s at Fault
When it comes to figuring out who’s responsible for leg injuries in a car accident, it all boils down to negligence. Negligence means someone didn’t act with reasonable care, and this led to harm to others.
We also check if the driver followed their duty of care. This means driving safely and obeying traffic rules.
To prove who’s responsible, we must also show that someone’s carelessness directly caused the accident and the leg injuries. The leg injuries should be substantial enough to deserve compensation. This means the medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and any long-lasting problems from the accident.
The Role of Insurance
In most car accidents, insurance plays a big part in covering leg injury costs. If the driver who caused the accident has insurance, it should pay for medical expenses and other losses, as long as it doesn’t exceed its policy limits.
If the responsible driver doesn’t have insurance or has too little, your insurance policy might help you. This is called uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
Getting Legal Help
If you’ve suffered leg injuries in a car accident, talking to a personal injury lawyer is a good idea. A lawyer who knows the ropes can guide you through the legal process. If you’re in the Phoenix, AZ area, you can search for experienced car accident attorneys in Phoenix AZ to assist you in your case.
Understand Liability for Leg Injuries from Car Accidents Today
Understanding liability for leg injuries from car accidents is crucial in determining who handles the compensations. Both drivers and pedestrians need to be aware of their rights and responsibilities in these situations.
If you or a loved one has suffered a leg injury from a car accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted lawyer for guidance and representation. Stay safe and informed, and drive responsibly.
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