Foot and ankle injuries are a leading cause of disability in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics over 50,000 foot and ankle injuries a year happen on the job, and from other types of accidents. Foot and ankles injuries not only prevent victims from working at many types of employment, but also decrease the enjoyment of life that comes from jogging, dancing, and physical hobbies, as well as making it more difficult to maintain a proper weight.
When a foot or ankle injury is caused by the negligence, recklessness, or intentional act of another person, it’s possible for victims to collect compensation. An experienced Orange County foot and ankle injury attorney can help you collect money damages for medical costs, lost earnings, pain, suffering, and mental anguish. Call the Crockett Law Group today to schedule your free consultation with a personal injury attorney and learn more.
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Can You Injure Your Foot or Ankle in a Car Accident?
Many foot and ankle injuries are caused by car accidents. High-speed collisions can cause a vehicle to be crushed at the point of impact, causing serious permanent injuries to drivers and passengers. Pedestrians knocked over by vehicles are also prone to injuries to the lower extremities. Drunk drivers and other negligent and reckless drivers that lose control of a vehicle can cause rollovers that can be deadly or cause catastrophic injuries such as amputations. Less severe car crashes can still cause foot injuries that can require years of medical treatment and rehabilitation before complete healing is achieved.What Are Some Common Foot and Ankle Injuries?
Some of the most frequent foot and ankle injuries are sprains, fractures, and burns.Sprained Ankle
This is when the connective bands of tissue, called ligaments, are stretched or torn. Most sprains are minor and will heal on their own or with conservative treatment such as physical therapy. Some sprains can be much more serious, requiring surgery and rehabilitation.Fractures and Dislocations
Even the smallest fracture can impact the ability of the foot or ankle to withstand the constant pounding it needs to take when a person walks. More serious fractures can cause substantial pain, swelling, bruising, blistering, and other deformities. Compound fractures, where broken bones protrude through the skin, can require multiple surgeries to correct. Some fractures are so severe that they can require the foot and ankle to be amputated.Burns
Industrial accidents or car crashes with explosions can lead to serious burns to the foot and ankle that can require skin grafts and surgical intervention. Amputation is only considered if there is severe bone damage or infection.How Do I Know If My Foot or Ankle Is Injured?
It’s not unusual for foot and ankle injuries to have very mild symptoms right after an accident. This could be because other injuries are more serious or because of a generalized shock that increased pain tolerance. Victims sometimes don’t even realize they have a foot or ankle injury until they wake up the morning after the accident with severe swelling and find that they cannot put weight on the foot. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the injury is serious, but in such cases, it’s wise to seek medical attention at an emergency room, urgent care center, or with your primary care physician as soon as possible.
