Car accidents can be life altering events. The human body is prone to injuries due to severe car accidents, and one of the body parts that tends to get injured regularly is the foot. A foot or ankle injury can take a long time for recovery due to the small bones and ligament connections, and also due to the amount of use it gets in daily life. These foot injuries can also keep you out of work for a long time, which can cause substantial financial strain. If you have had your foot injured in a car accident and you would like to maximize your compensation for your injuries, it is important that you contact an experienced car accident attorney.
What Type of Car Accidents are Most Likely to Injure Your Feet?
It has been determined that the majority of all foot and ankle car accident injuries are caused by head-on collisions. This is because the lower extremities are first to absorb the impact of such an accident. Another accident type to cause foot injuries are roll-overs and side impact accidents.
Foot injuries most often occur in head-on collisions, but can occur in any type of car crash. The foot, toe, and ankle areas are composed of many bones, tendons, muscles, and ligaments. When a high impact crash occurs, the body naturally braces upon impact. This means the ankle and foot will receive the full force of the car’s impact and of the weight of the person’s body. This extreme tension near the ankle and foot area can cause severe damage to the tendons and ligaments, resulting in fractures and tears.
In addition, any overwhelming pressure from loose automobile material hitting the vulnerable foot and ankle during a car accident can result in severed skin or puncture wounds, both of which can be very serious.
What are the Symptoms of a Foot Injury After a Car Crash?
Common symptoms of a foot and ankle injury can range from mild to acute and may include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Torn tendons, ligaments, and muscles
- Severed ligaments, muscles, skin, and tendons
- Sprains
- Fractures
- Broken bones
Secondary complications may include infections. Certain injuries, such as fractures and broken bones, may also lead to chronic conditions such as arthritis, which may require a life-time of medication and treatment. In severe cases, such as a severed foot, amputation may be necessary.
What is Foot Compartment Syndrome?
Your foot is composed of four compartments (interosseous, medial, lateral, central) that house a network of blood vessels and nerves. Imagine one of these compartments being crushed during a high impact car crash. The swelling of the surrounding tissue from the damaged compartment will put pressure on this delicate nerve and blood vessel network, ultimately cutting off blood flow to the foot. This painful and severe injury requires immediate medical attention. A specialist will need to examine the damaged foot and possibly perform surgery to remove the pressure and restore blood flow.
If you think you are suffering from foot compartment syndrome, an experienced car accident attorney can often help you receive both monetary compensation and the best medical care following a car collision.
Getting Compensation for Your Foot Injuries
Compensation for your foot injuries will depend on the severity of the injuries and the extent to which your mobility is affected. If you are unable to walk for a certain period of time, or your mobility is limited, then your earning potential may be affected. Your car accident attorney will work to get you compensation for any lost wages, medical care, and pain and suffering.
Compensation can also depend on who is at fault in the car accident. If the accident includes a collision with another car and the other driver is at fault, he or she can be sued for any injuries that you incur. Your car accident attorney will also try to make sure that you receive compensation for any physical and emotional suffering sustained, including all hospital and therapy bills.
If you would like to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer, please call our law offices today at any of our convenient locations and get a free consultation.
Arlington (817) 522-4451
Dallas (972) 362-6848
Fort Worth (817) 764-1375
Plano (972) 354-4602
Cedar Hill (972) 338-9427
McKinney (469) 522-3688
Lewisville (972) 354-4605
Frisco (972) 725-7681
Grapevine (817) 835-8677
Irving (972) 354-4610
Keller (817) 204-0904
Garland (214) 572-2251
Denton (940) 222-4060
Addison (972) 564-8108
You can also contact us online by using our quick contact form.
