By Lewis Lennon. Last Updated 21st December 2022. An injury caused by a car accident could range from something very minor such as bruising to life-altering injuries. Usually, the impact the car takes will have a bearing on the type of injuries or the severity of injuries that a car occupant will suffer. If you have suffered a leg injury caused by a car accident that was not your fault you may be eligible to claim not only for the suffering caused but any financial losses incurred due to the injury.
Leg injury caused by a car accident compensation
In this article, we are going to examine the process of making a compensation claim for a leg injury caused in a car accident where a third party was responsible.
Call and speak to our friendly team who are available 7 days a week 24 hours a day on 0161 696 9685. Or write an email at Advice.co.uk. Alternatively, you could use the ‘live support’ option, bottom right
We offer a service that can help you right now. If you are suffering a leg injury caused by a car accident in which you were not at fault, the free advice offered in this article could lead you to the kind of compensation that can really help put your health and finances back together.
Select a Section
- A Guide To Claims For A Leg Injury Caused By A Car Accident
- What Is A Leg Injury?
- Top 3 Common Leg Injuries
- Our Quality Estimation Of Personal Injury Compensation Claims
- What Are Special Damages?
- Case Study: £65,000 For A Leg Injury Caused By A Car Accident
- Car Accident Compensation Claims – Time Limits
- No Win No Fee Policies Broken Down For Victims
- Our Specialists Will Provide Free Legal Advice For You
- More Resources And Guides
- Leg Injury Caused By A Car Accident FAQs
A Guide To Claims For A Leg Injury Caused By A Car Accident
It’s important to note at the beginning of your claim that several distinct points can have a huge bearing on its success. Firstly, please take a moment to consider these questions:
- Was someone responsible for your safety?
- Were you taking as much care of yourself as possible?
- Did someone breach their ‘duty of care’ to you?
- Did you actually suffer an injury?
We provide free advice. So if you are unsure of whether the above applies to your case either continue to read our guide as you may find the answers below, alternatively, you could call our advisors today.
Pursing a compensation claim for a leg injury caused in a car accident may seem daunting. However, with the help of personal injury lawyers, the whole process can be far more straight forward. Lawyers can help to value your injury correctly, gather the evidence needed to ensure the claim has winning merits and are always there to provide the legal advice and guidance you may need.
For more information on how a personal injury solicitor could help you call our advisors today.
What Is A Leg Injury?
The main bones in the leg are the:
- Femur or thigh bone, the longest in the human body
- The tibia or fibula
- And the patella or kneecap
Joined at the hip and connected at the other end to the foot, the leg bones play an integral part in normal mobility. Our example case study examines a person who in the course of a road traffic collision suffered fractures in their leg which caused a massive upheaval in his lifestyle as he adjusted and tried to recover.
What Type Leg Injury Caused By A Car Accident Could Happen?
- Fractures and broken bones
- Compound fractures
- Tissue and muscle damage
- Degloving of tissue
- Amputation or loss of part or whole of the leg
- Hip injury
- Knee injury
Positioned as we are in a seated pose whilst driving, side or head-on impact can easily affect several parts of the leg simultaneously. The NHS state that recovery of 6 -8 weeks is typical for even a minor fracture. A very serious RTA could create one or several types of injury resulting in a very prolonged rehabilitation, help with walking again, or perhaps even losing the ability to walk completely.
Colliding with another vehicle can have devastating consequences. The freedom of movement that we take for granted can be lost or badly damaged forever by careless driving.
We can offer free legal advice about making claims when hit by uninsured drivers also. The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) can offer compensation in instances such as these. Simply reach out to our personal injury claims team at the number above and we can do the rest.
Top 3 Common Leg Injuries
There is legislation that applies a duty of care to protect our safety whether it’s at work, in public places, or on the roads. Employers have to do their utmost to protect the safety and wellbeing of employees under The Health And Safety At Work etc Act 1974. If you are required to drive as part of the job it is important that your employer ensures you can do this in a safe way.
Likewise, The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 applies a common duty of care on those in control of public spaces to ensure the same. If you have sustained a car accident that caused a broken leg due to the conditions of the road then you may look to this legislation in order to back up your claims.
The Highway Code asks all drivers to display due care and diligence whilst driving to avoid accidents and injury. Before we look at the specific scenarios that can lead to leg injury caused by a car accident, let’s look at what the Highway Code requires in detail.
The Highway Code – How Can It Help You?
Anyone wishing to drive on roads in England, Scotland, and Wales must fulfil the following criteria:
- Be of minimum driving age, statistics available here for young driver accidents
- Have the appropriate license and MOT
- Be driving a roadworthy vehicle or bike
- In possession of at least third-party insurance
- Pass minimum eyesight requirements – older drivers statistics show the prevalence of accidents involving this demographic
- Disclose any medical conditions that could affect their ability to drive
Car insurance is mandatory for all drivers. If you were to be the liable party in a road traffic accident victims may be eligible to make car insurance claims against your policy or provider.
What Type Of Road Accidents Could Occur?
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are perhaps the most harrowing type of accident. Two vehicles moving at speed from opposing directions hitting each other head-on. Erratic driving and driving whilst under the influence of drink and drugs could cause a car to swerve across the lane and hit you.
Rear-End Bumps
Lack of concentrate can be to blame here. If the driver behind you breaks too slowly or is speeding and ‘tailgating’ you as it’s known, they are not allowing themselves adequate time and space to avoid colliding with you in the event of a sudden hazard. Rear-end bumps are notorious for causing whiplash injuries which can give rise to a whole array of on-going health problems for the unsuspecting motorist in front.
Multiple Car Pile-ups
The horror of a multi-car collision is unimaginable. Frequently a danger on motorways. With everyone moving at high-speed, there is little time to avoid a collision. Statistics give a snap-shot of road traffic accidents on British roads. With 1,752 deaths on the road in 2019, the duty of care has never been more important. Each year thousands of motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians endure unnecessary risk.
Our Quality Estimation Of Personal Injury Compensation Claims
How much compensation could I get for a broken tibia or femur? Do I qualify for compensation for a limp? Could a personal injury claim really end up paying me compensation? With the right guidance, it’s possible to answer all these questions. We offer a free consultation to anyone considering a compensation claim. In this, no-obligation chat we can answer questions like that above and you will be put under no pressure at all to use the services of our panel of personal injury solicitors to pursue your claim. You may have heard of personal injury claim calculators. But did you know that if you call our advisors today they could offer a more precise estimate to what you may be entitled to claim?
What Are Special Damages?
If you pursue a claim for a leg injury caused by a car accident and your case is successful you could claim for two types of damages. Firstly we have general damages. This will compensate you for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity you suffered and may suffer into the future. You will be invited to have a medical assessment by an independent medical professional. They will review your medical notes and ask you questions about your injury. The findings will be catalogued in a report and sent to your solicitor. The solicitor, if you have chosen to work with one, may use the Judicial College Guidelines to help put a figure to your injury. The JCG is a publication updated each year solicitors may use to value injuries.
The second type of compensation that could be awarded is called special damages. This is used to compensate you for any financial losses caused by your injuries. This could include;
- Lost wages
- Care costs
- Travel costs to hospital or work
- Child care provision
- Damage to pension contributions
- Loss of deposits for future events or holidays
- Medical adaptations to home
- Counselling for trauma
- Physiotherapy
- Any remedial procedures required like plastic surgery
- Pet care, gardening, hobbies
Proof is required in the form of bills, receipts, or bank statements, to prove the out-of-pocket expenses you have incurred as a result of your injuries.
Case Study: £65,000 For A Leg Injury Caused By A Car Accident
Mr Reeves was simply driving along a road. A car from the opposite direction swerved into Mr Reeves’ lane hitting his car head-on. When emergency services were called, Mr Reeves needed to be cut from the crushed wreckage of his own vehicle, and his right leg was badly damaged. Part of his bone in the lower leg had protruded through the skin and emergency services got to the hospital as quick as they could.
While at the hospital Mr Reeves had several x-rays and scans to determine the full damage to his leg. He had to spend quite a while in the hospital so the wound would heal correctly.
One of the immediate consequences of being the victim of negligent driving can be the financial costs. Mr Reeves found it difficult to cope with his injuries and recover from the ordeal. In addition to this, he had to worry about the deluge of expenses and financial demands that were stacking up through his enforced need to recuperate.
Mr Reeves decided that he would pursue a compensation claim. Mr Reeves collected and recorded all the expenses as evidence.
Leg Injury Caused By A Car Accident Settlement
The third-party insurance admitted liability straight away. Mr Reeves was awarded £65,000 in general and special damages. The settlement could be broken down as below;
| General Damages | How Much? | Special Damages | How Much? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compound fracture to right leg | £45,750 | Loss of earnings | £15,000 |
| Care costs | £2500 | ||
| Gardener, Dog walker, Cleaner, Cook, Child minder | £1000 | ||
| Help from Wife | £500 | ||
| Travel expenses | £150 | ||
| Medication | £100 |
This is an example case study not based on real-life events but on our past experiences with similar personal injury cases.
Car Accident Compensation Claims – Time Limits
Car accident compensation claims must be started within the time limit outlined in the Limitation Act 1980. The legislation sets out the time limit for personal injury claims, including claims where a car accident has caused you harm or suffering.
The Act states that the limitation period is typically three years from the date of the accident.
In certain circumstances, the limitation period is suspended. An example of this is if the claimant was a child when the road traffic accident happened. They would have three years from their 18th birthday to make a claim.
Additionally, the time limit is suspended indefinitely for someone who does not have the mental capacity to claim. If they ever regained the mental capacity, the time limit would begin three years from this date.
For anyone who is under 18 or lacks the mental capacity, a litigation friend may make a claim on their behalf.
If you have suffered a personal injury in a car accident, our advisors could provide free, personalised advice about your claim. They are available around the clock to answer your queries.
No Win No Fee Policies Broken Down For Victims
No Win No Fee agreements or Conditional Fee agreements as they are also known, offer people the chance to access good quality legal representation with no upfront charges. It offers many advantages such as:
-
- Nothing to pay to secure the services of a solicitor
- No fees to pay them as your case moves forward
- If your case is not successful, you do not pay their fees
- Successful cases mean only a small legally capped percentage is due to the solicitors
To see if your case could benefit from a No Win No Fee service call our advisors today.
Our Specialists Will Provide Free Legal Advice For You
In summary, we hope that this article on a leg injury caused by a car accident has provided you with the information you need. To begin a claim today simply call us and our friendly team can offer no-obligation, free legal advice on the spot. You can:
- Call and speak to our friendly team on 0161 696 9685
- Email us at Advice.co.uk
- Use the ‘live support’ option, bottom right
More Resources And Guides
This link provides further information on car accident claims.
Free advice about accidents at work.
This link offers advice on NHS services
For social care options refer here
This link offers more guidance on pedal cycling safety.
Leg Injury Caused By A Car Accident FAQs
How long does it take for a broken leg to heal?
Obviously, the heal time depends on the severity of the injury, but at least 6 – 8 weeks for a minor fracture.
How do I know my leg is broken?
Severe pain, inability to stand or place any weight on the leg and crunching noises can all indicate a fracture. As a result, always seek medical attention.
What should I do if I’ve broken my leg?
Seek immediate medical attention.
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Published by AL