Leg Pain After a Car Accident and Your Legal Options

Receive Compensation for Leg Pain Following a Car Accident in Chicago

Experiencing leg pain after a car accident can interfere with everyday life and may indicate a more serious injury. Even a seemingly minor collision can affect the leg bone, joints, or nearby nerves, causing symptoms that escalate over time. In some cases, the pain after a car accident is immediate. 

In others, it builds gradually as inflammation and soft tissue injuries progress. Since these injuries can worsen without proper care, anyone dealing with leg pain after a crash should seek medical treatment and speak with a Chicago car accident lawyer to understand their rights and next steps.

How Car Accidents Cause Leg Injuries

Car crashes can cause immediate or delayed trauma to the legs due to rapid deceleration, blunt impact, or entrapment. The lower body is especially vulnerable in front-end and side-impact crashes, where force concentrates on the leg bone, knee joint, or surrounding tissue. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 110,000 accident victims sustain moderate and serious lower extremity injuries every year, including bruising,  broken bones, ligament tears, and nerve damage.

The force of a car accident can cause a variety of trauma, including muscle and ligament injuries, fractures, joint damage, and pressure on blood vessels. The result can be persistent leg pain, limited range of motion, or conditions that require medical treatment for weeks, months, or for the rest of the victim’s life.

Common Leg Injuries in Car Accidents

The legs are especially prone to harm in vehicle collisions, and many common injuries may result in lasting complications. Leg pain after a car accident can be caused by fractures, joint trauma, nerve compression, or damage to nearby soft tissue, all of which can disrupt mobility and require ongoing care.

Some of these injuries may also trigger secondary symptoms like shoulder pain due to altered movement or overcompensation. Recognizing the most frequent causes of leg pain can help accident victims seek the proper care early.

Broken Bones and Fractures

A broken leg is one of the most serious outcomes of a car crash. The femur, tibia, and shin bone are all vulnerable when a vehicle’s structure is compromised. 

A break may cause visible deformity, swelling, severe pain, and an inability to bear weight. Fractures to any leg bone typically require medical treatment and extended rest, with some needing surgery.

ACL Injuries and Ligament Damage

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) stabilizes the knee joint, and trauma to this area is common in forceful impacts. ACL injuries can result in instability, locking, or a popping sensation. 

Torn ligaments and torn meniscus injuries often accompany ACL damage and may require medical treatment and long-term physical therapy. These conditions typically cause persistent pain and a limited range of motion.

Herniated Discs and Nerve Damage

Spinal trauma in an auto accident may cause a herniated disc that compresses nerves running into the leg. When the sciatic nerve is involved, leg pain may radiate down from the lower back, causing numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness. 

Some accident victims experience chronic throbbing pain that interferes with walking or standing.

Femur Fractures and Long-Term Recovery

Though it’s the strongest bone in the body, the femur can fracture under extreme force. Femur fractures may require surgery involving rods or screws, followed by months of therapy.

Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of femur fractures, making these injuries a serious concern in high-impact crashes. A broken femur can cause severe pain and long-term disruptions to daily life after a car accident.

Common Symptoms of Leg Injuries After an Accident

The following symptoms may appear right away or take several hours—or even days—to become noticeable. It’s common for leg pain after a car accident to start subtly and intensify over time as inflammation or soft tissue damage progresses. 

Watch for warning signs such as:

• Ongoing or sharp pain when walking or placing weight on the affected leg
• Swelling, discoloration, or visible bruising
• Limited movement or stiffness in the hip, knee, or ankle
• Tingling, numbness, or burning sensations
• Severe pain that worsens with motion
• Feelings of instability or buckling in the lower leg or knee

While some forms of leg pain are easy to spot, others may be hidden. Issues like a skin tear, injured blood vessels beneath the skin, or inflammation from knee bursitis might not show outward signs right away. 

These injuries can impact the lower extremities long after the crash, especially if you haven’t yet had a full medical evaluation. Even when discomfort seems minor, it’s important to take injury symptoms seriously and seek medical attention promptly.

What to Do if You Have Leg Pain After a Car Accident

Dealing with leg pain after a car accident can feel overwhelming, especially when the severity isn’t obvious at first. Hidden fractures and deep tissue damage can go unnoticed, putting car accident victims at risk for long-term health issues and unexpected medical costs.

Knowing what to do is essential for treating leg pain and protecting your right to fair compensation. Acting quickly also strengthens your position when dealing with the insurance company later.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Always seek medical attention immediately when experiencing leg pain after a car accident. Even if symptoms are minor or delayed, early evaluation helps detect serious issues like fractures, surrounding tissue damage, or compressed nerves. Your primary care physician may refer you for X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to assess the damage fully.

Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan

When recovering from a broken leg, torn ligaments, or lingering muscle tension, it’s vital to follow professional guidance. Treatment might include physical therapy, medication, or procedures that require surgery. Ignoring pain after a car accident can lead to setbacks, prolonged healing, and long-term mobility challenges.

Document Your Injury for a Legal Claim

Tracking your recovery is important for both your health and your legal options. Save records of all healthcare treatment, missed work, and prescribed medications. If you’re unable to return to work, this documentation can help support a claim for lost wages and help your lawyer in working with the insurance company.

Legal Options for Car Accident Victims with Leg Injuries

Experiencing leg pain after a car accident can create challenges far beyond the initial physical discomfort. Many victims face both short-term setbacks and long-term recovery concerns that affect their health, finances, and ability to work. 

When another party’s negligence contributed to the crash, pursuing compensation can help you manage the impact of your injury and protect your future. Legal options are available to help cover treatment costs, replace lost income, and address the pain and hardship you’ve endured.

Recovering Financial Losses After a Crash

The financial burden of a serious leg injury starts the moment medical care begins. Emergency services, hospital stays, diagnostic imaging, and rehabilitation all contribute to rising medical expenses. 

Many individuals also face lost wages during recovery, especially if the leg bone is fractured or surgery limits mobility. Insurance may not fully cover your needs, leaving you responsible for thousands in medical bills. Filing a claim against the at-fault driver gives you the opportunity to seek reimbursement for those direct losses.

Pain, Suffering, and Long-Term Impact

The emotional toll of leg pain is often overlooked. Chronic discomfort, limitations on daily activities, and the stress of prolonged recovery can significantly affect quality of life. For those dealing with ongoing symptoms or permanent damage, a claim can include compensation for pain and suffering. 

An experienced legal team can also help assess whether future medical treatment will be needed and factor that into the total value of your case.

Typical car accident settlement amounts depend on the seriousness of the injury and how it affects your ability to live and work. A personal injury claim involving a broken leg, upper leg fracture, or surgery may warrant higher compensation. If the at-fault driver was reckless or inattentive, your law firm can also pursue damages for future care.

Keep in mind that the insurance company may try to downplay your condition. That’s why accident victims benefit from working with a law firm familiar with leg injuries, trauma to the lower leg, and cases involving underlying tissue or blood vessels. 

An experienced attorney can calculate the total impact of the injury and advocate for fair compensation.

Talk to an Auto Accident Lawyer About Your Leg Injury

Living with leg pain after a crash can affect every part of your life. If you’re experiencing ongoing pain after a car accident or were diagnosed with a serious injury, speak with a legal professional. 

A qualified car accident lawyer can guide you through a personal injury claim, communicate with the insurance company, and help secure the medical care and financial support you need.

Contact an experienced Chicago attorney for a free case evaluation. Let our team help you pursue full compensation for your injury, from lost wages and medical bills to long-term care. 

Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.