There are a variety of injuries that may occur in a California car accident case, and foot injuries are among some of the most common. Foot injuries may heal with minimal treatment, or they may require surgery and physical therapy. If you have suffered a foot injury in a California motor vehicle accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your claim.
Types of Foot Injuries
The type and nature of a foot injury depend largely on the accident victim’s location within the vehicle, as well as the type of accident that occurred.
Muscle Injuries
The muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the foot are susceptible to injuries in car accidents. For example, sprains are generally caused by the overstretching of the ankle joint. The forces involved in a motor vehicle accident may cause a victim’s foot to stretch in this way, resulting in injury.
Tendons connect muscle to bone, and ligaments connect bone to bone. There are many tendons and ligaments in the foot, and the sudden impact of a motor vehicle accident may cause strains or tears.
Muscle injuries may require physical therapy or surgery.
Fractures and Breaks
Each foot contains 26 bones and 33 joints. It is not surprising, therefore, that foot and ankle fractures are another common type of car accident injury. In especially severe accidents, the bones in the foot may be completely crushed.
Although some fractures, such as those that occur in a toe, primarily require rest as treatment, those involving the ankle or the bones elsewhere in the foot may require surgical repair. After some surgeries, walking is prohibited for several weeks or longer.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Although many cases of arthritis are caused by overuse, post-traumatic arthritis is caused by a sudden injury. After the injury, the joint becomes worn down over time. Post-traumatic arthritis is commonly seen in the ankle joint.
Damages in a Foot Injury Accident Claim
Foot injuries may be especially debilitating for accident victims. Many individuals are unable to return to work, care for children and loved ones, and complete their daily normal activities because they cannot walk for weeks or longer. California car accident attorneys work hard to make sure these accident victims receive the compensation they need to cover both their current and future needs.
Damages may include any or all of the following:
- Medical expenses, including the cost of future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of employment benefits
- The expense of installing wheelchair ramps, handrails, and other accommodations
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Other damages may also be available. Your attorney will know what types of damages are available in your case and will present evidence to support your claim for these losses.
Evidence Used in a California Car Accident Claim
There are many pieces of evidence that are used in a California car accident claim. Such evidence may include:
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Photographs
- Video surveillance or dashcam footage
- Accident reports
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert witness reports
- Accident reconstruction reports
Your attorney will work hard to ensure all possible evidence is presented to support your claim.
However, there are deadlines in place that limit how long accident victims have to pursue a claim. Gathering all of the evidence needed to present a claim for damages can take several weeks or longer. Therefore, it is important to meet with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident.
California’s statute of limitations for car accident claims is two years from the date of the accident. If a fatality occurred, a wrongful death claim must be filed within two years from the date of death.
Accident victims who fail to file their claims by the time the statute of limitations expires may be barred from recovering damages. These individuals will remain responsible for all costs associated with the accident, even if they were not at fault.
Call Kuvara Law Firm Today to Discuss Your Foot Injury Claim
At Kuvara Law Firm, our attorneys are experienced in foot injury claims. To schedule a free consultation with our firm to learn about your legal options, contact us at 1-800-4-INJURY.
