Leg Pain After a Car Crash in New Jersey: What You Need to Know

A car accident can leave you shaken, confused, and in pain. While some injuries are obvious, others—like leg pain—can take time to appear. What seems like a minor ache at first could be a sign of a serious underlying injury.

If you’re experiencing leg pain after a crash in New Jersey, it’s important to take it seriously. The impact of a collision can cause fractures, ligament tears, nerve damage, or deep tissue injuries that may worsen without proper medical treatment.

Additionally, if another driver’s negligence caused your accident, you may have the legal right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Common types of leg injuries caused by car accidents
• Why you should seek immediate medical care
• New Jersey’s legal considerations for car accident victims
• How to seek compensation for a leg injury
• When to contact an attorney

Types of Injuries That Can Lead to Leg Pain After a Car Accident

Leg pain after a car crash can stem from a variety of injuries, ranging from minor soft tissue damage to severe fractures requiring surgery. Here are the most common leg injuries sustained in auto accidents:

1. Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries involve damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. While they may not appear on X-rays, they can be painful and affect your mobility. Common examples include:

• Sprains and Strains: When the ligaments or muscles in your leg stretch or tear due to sudden impact.
• Contusions (Deep Bruising): Bruising happens when blood vessels beneath the skin burst from blunt force trauma.
• Torn Ligaments: High-impact crashes can cause tears in major leg ligaments, such as the ACL or MCL, often requiring surgery and physical therapy.

Soft tissue injuries can take weeks or even months to heal, and in some cases, they may lead to chronic pain or mobility issues.

2. Bone Fractures

Your legs contain multiple bones, including the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and fibula (calf bone). A car crash can cause:

• Hairline fractures that may not be immediately visible on an X-ray but cause persistent pain.
• Compound fractures, where the bone breaks through the skin, requiring emergency surgery.
• Crush injuries, where the leg is trapped or compressed, leading to severe complications like compartment syndrome.

Bone fractures can significantly affect your ability to work and carry out daily activities, making it essential to seek legal recourse if another driver caused your injury.

3. Nerve Damage

You may have sustained nerve damage if you feel numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in your legs. This can occur when:

• A crash compresses or stretches the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the legs.
• Peripheral nerves suffer trauma, leading to long-term loss of sensation or motor function.

Nerve injuries can be difficult to diagnose, but they often require extensive treatment, including nerve conduction studies and physical therapy.

4. Joint Injuries

Your knees, hips, and ankles absorb much of the impact in a collision. Joint injuries can include:

• Dislocations: The impact can force your knee or hip joint out of place.
• Torn Meniscus: The meniscus is cartilage in the knee that cushions the bones. A tear can cause severe pain and limit mobility.
• Post-Traumatic Arthritis: Some joint injuries develop into arthritis over time, causing chronic pain and stiffness.

Many joint injuries require surgery and months of rehabilitation, making compensation claims critical for accident victims.

Seek Medical Attention for Leg Pain Immediately

After a car accident, you might feel tempted to brush off leg pain, assuming it will go away. However, delaying medical attention can be dangerous. Here’s why:

• Delayed symptoms: Some injuries, like fractures or deep tissue damage, may not show immediate symptoms.
• Preventing complications: Internal bleeding, nerve injuries, and infections can worsen if not treated early.
• Protecting your legal claim: Seeking medical care immediately establishes a clear link between the accident and your injuries, making it harder for insurance companies to deny your claim.

Signs You Should Seek Emergency Care

If you experience any of the following, get medical help immediately:

• Severe swelling or bruising
• Numbness or tingling in the leg
• Difficulty walking or bearing weight
• Visible deformities or exposed bone
• A wound that won’t stop bleeding

Even if your pain seems mild, schedule a doctor’s visit as soon as possible. A medical professional can assess your injury and determine the best course of treatment.

Legal Considerations for Leg Pain After a Car Crash in NJ

New Jersey’s No-Fault Insurance System

New Jersey follows a no-fault car insurance system. This means your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for your medical expenses, no matter who caused the crash.

However, if your injuries are serious—such as a broken leg—you may be able to step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver for additional compensation.

Modified Comparative Negligence Rule

New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule (N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1). If you are:

• Less than 50% at fault, you can recover damages, but your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation.
• More than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages.

Statute of Limitations

New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2) gives you two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit.

You may lose your right to seek compensation if you miss this deadline.

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

If another driver’s negligence caused your leg injury, you can seek compensation for:

• Medical Expenses: Hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and medication.
• Lost Wages: If you’re unable to work while recovering.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for chronic pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.

Get an Attorney Right Away to Help With Your Leg Injury Claim

Navigating insurance claims and legal procedures while recovering from an injury can be overwhelming. An experienced car accident attorney can:

• Gather evidence and build a strong case
• Negotiate with insurance companies for maximum compensation
• Ensure you don’t miss any legal deadlines

At Rosengard Law Group, we have successfully represented New Jersey car accident victims, securing the settlements they deserve.

Don’t wait. Call (856) 284-6446 today for a FREE consultation, or fill out our online contact form to discuss your case.