What Foot Injuries Can Be Caused By Auto Accidents?
Auto accidents can result in various types of foot injuries due to the impact, position in the vehicle, and forces involved. The feet are vulnerable to injuries because they are often in close proximity to pedals, can get trapped or crushed, or be struck by debris. Here are some common foot injuries that can occur in auto accidents:
Fractures
The bones in the feet (called carpals, metacarpal and phalanges) can fracture due to the impact of the accident. Fractures can occur in the toes, metatarsals (bones in the middle of the foot), or the heel bone (calcaneus). Symptoms may include pain, swelling, bruising, difficulty bearing weight, and deformity of the foot. When a bone is fractures at it joint surface it can be a very life altering injury. Make sure you know exactly where your fracture occurred so that your treatment is appropriate.
Dislocations
Forceful impacts can cause dislocations of the foot joints, such as the ankle joint or the joints in the midfoot. Dislocations can lead to severe pain, deformity, swelling, limited mobility and lifelong loss of proper function.
Sprains and Strains
Sudden movements or impact can cause sprains or strains in the ligaments, tendons, or muscles of the foot. Ankle sprains are particularly common in auto accidents and can result in pain, swelling, instability, and difficulty walking. Sprains involve ligament which heal very poorly. Strains involve muscles which do heal better but often not without issue.
Crush Injuries
If the foot gets trapped or crushed during the accident, it can result in severe crush injuries. This can cause damage to bones, soft tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. Crush injuries often require immediate medical attention and can lead to long-term complications.
Achilles Tendon Injuries
The Achilles tendon, located at the back of the ankle, can be strained, torn, or ruptured in a high-impact auto accident. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, difficulty walking, and a noticeable gap in the tendon.
Contusions and Bruises
The foot can sustain contusions or bruises from hitting against hard surfaces or objects during the accident. While these injuries may not be as severe as fractures or dislocations, they can still cause pain, swelling, and discoloration and are often an indication of a more serious underlying injury.
Open Wounds
Lacerations or puncture wounds can occur if the foot comes into contact with sharp objects or shattered glass during the accident. These wounds may require stitches or other wound care to prevent infection.
This list is just a short list of the many foot injuries that can occur in an auto accident.
It is important to seek medical attention promptly after an auto accident to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment of any injuries. Medical attention should be with a qualified medical provider that knows how to care for you and who knows about insurance claims. Not all doctors want to get involved with insurance claims; and for those who do not, they can seriously damage your bodily injury claim. We will help you find the right doctor for the type of injury you have sustained. Picking a doctor at random is a sure recipe for insurance claim issues.
Early detection and treatment intervention of an injury is critical to assure the best healing outcome. The medical/scientific literature is full of research on why this is so, but you must evaluate, treat and get proper legal representation. Getting a quality catastrophic injury lawyer in Charlotte, NC is very important. As a doctor who represents injured people, I know injuries. I treated thousands of accident injuries, and now I represent them in the legal arena. I fight for you and never for insurance companies. Call us if you need our help. Our staff at Ted A. Greve & Associates, PA is highly trained to help you every step of the way. The call to and consultation with my office are free. Call 1-800-333-4333 24 hours a day so that we can help start you on the way to health, and insurance claim, recovery.
