Car accidents can cause serious injuries, especially to the legs. Whether you were the driver, passenger, or even a pedestrian, your legs are often exposed to direct impact during a crash. Leg injuries can range from simple bruises to long-term disabilities that change how you move or live your daily life. Understanding these types of injuries can help you know what to expect and what to do next.

What Are the Most Common Leg Injuries in Car Accidents?

When a crash happens, your legs can get twisted, pinned, or hit hard by metal, glass, or even parts of the vehicle itself. Some of the most common leg injuries include:

1. Broken Bones
Fractures in the leg are very common in car accidents. This can include breaks in the femur (thigh bone), tibia, fibula, or the bones in your feet and ankles. Some fractures are simple and heal with a cast, but others may need surgery, metal rods, or plates.

2. Knee Injuries
The knee is one of the most complex joints in the body. During a crash, it may slam into the dashboard, causing damage to the ligaments (like ACL or MCL), tendons, or cartilage. Swelling, pain, and long recovery times are typical.

3. Nerve Damage
The nerves in your legs can be stretched or torn from the force of the accident. Nerve damage can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or even loss of movement in the legs or feet.

4. Blood Vessel Damage
If arteries or veins in the leg are crushed or cut, it can lead to poor blood flow. This is very serious and may need surgery right away to avoid further damage or even amputation.

5. Muscle and Soft Tissue Injuries
Muscles, ligaments, and tendons can all be torn or bruised during a collision. These types of injuries may not show right away but can cause long-term pain or weakness.

6. Spinal Cord-Related Leg Pain
A back injury during a car crash can lead to leg pain, numbness, or weakness, even if the leg itself wasn’t hit. This is usually caused by damage to the lower spine that affects nerves connected to the legs.

7. Amputation
In very serious crashes, the leg may be so badly damaged that doctors cannot save it. Losing a leg is life-changing and affects every part of your daily routine.

What To Do After a Car Accident

After a crash, it’s easy to feel confused or overwhelmed. But the steps you take right after can make a big difference for your health and any claims you may file later.

• Move to a safe area if you can.

• Call 911 right away to report the crash and get medical help.

• Check yourself and others for injuries.

• Get the names and contact info of everyone involved.

• Take pictures or videos of the cars, road, injuries, and anything else that might help later.

• Get medical care, even if you think you’re okay. Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away.

• Contact your insurance company to report the crash.

• Consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer before you give any detailed statements to insurance adjusters.

Common Causes of Car Accidents That Lead to Leg Injuries

Not all crashes are the same, but many leg injuries happen in similar situations:

• Rear-end collisions, where your legs may be forced forward suddenly

• Head-on crashes, where the dashboard or steering column can crush the lower body

• Side-impact crashes (T-bone), especially for passengers

• Rollovers, where the legs may be twisted or crushed

• Pedestrian or cyclist accidents, where the leg takes the first impact

In most of these crashes, drivers or other parties may be at fault for speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, or running lights.

Other Injuries You Might Have

A leg injury often isn’t the only injury in a car crash. Other injuries may include:

• Head trauma or concussions

• Back injuries

• Neck sprains

• Broken arms or ribs

• Cuts from broken glass

• Internal injuries

Even if your leg hurts the most, it’s important to get checked for everything, just in case something else is missed.

Compensation for Car Accident Leg Injuries

Medical care after a car accident can get expensive fast. If someone else caused the crash, you may be able to get compensation for:

• Doctor visits and hospital bills

• Surgery and physical therapy

• Lost wages from missing work

• Pain and emotional stress

• Future medical care if you don’t fully recover

To protect your rights, it’s smart to collect as much information as you can and speak to a legal team who knows how injury claims work.

Florida Law: Timelines and Requirements

If your crash happened in Florida, a few laws can affect your claim:

• Florida Statute 316.062 says you must report the accident to the police right away.

• Florida Statute 627.736 says you need to see a doctor within 14 days after the crash to qualify for certain insurance benefits.

These rules are strict, and missing them could mean you lose your right to get help with your bills.

Get Help If You’re Suffering From a Leg Injury

Leg injuries from car accidents are painful and can take a long time to heal. Some people never get back to normal. If you’re dealing with this kind of injury, you don’t have to go through it alone.

Call D2 Law at (800) 790-5641 to talk with someone who can help you understand your rights and what steps to take next. You might be able to get money to cover your treatment, time off work, and more.