Leg Swelling After a Motorcycle Accident in Gainesville, FL
Motorcycle crashes have different effects than car accidents. An automobile occupant might get jostled inside the vehicle compartment, but ejections rarely happen. Conversely, every motorcycle accident involves some contact with the environment. The force of the crash might eject the rider or crush them under their motorcycle.
Both of these scenarios can produce leg swelling after a motorcycle accident in Gainesville, FL. Allen Law Firm, P.A. helps motorcycle operators and passengers recover compensation after suffering injuries due to someone else’s negligent driving.
If you need help, contact our law office for a free initial consultation with an experienced Gainesville personal injury attorney at (877) 255-3652.
How Allen Law Firm, P.A. Can Help With a Legal Claim After a Motorcycle Accident in Gainesville, FL
Allen Law Firm, P.A. has represented injured clients in Gainesville, Florida, since 2007. Our Gainesville motorcycle accident lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation from at-fault drivers and their insurers.
If you suffer an injury due to someone else’s negligent or otherwise wrongful actions, our law firm provides the following services:
- A free consultation to assess the strength and value of your case
- Gathering medical records and other evidence to prove your claims
- Filing insurance paperwork and negotiating for a just settlement
- Litigating against insurers and parties who refuse to offer fair settlement terms
A motorcycle accident can cause catastrophic injuries even when riders wear helmets. Contact our Gainesville personal injury lawyers to discuss the compensation available for motorcycle crash injuries you or a loved one suffered.
How Many Motorcyclists Suffer Injuries in Florida?
Alachua County, home to Gainesville, had 132 motorcycle crashes in 2023, according to the Florida Crash Dashboard. These crashes caused 16 fatal injuries and 108 non-fatal injuries. Using these numbers, you can calculate that roughly 94% of motorcycle crashes that year caused injury or death.
Unfortunately, this number is not an outlier. The crash dashboard identified 9,522 statewide motorcycle crashes, including 604 fatal crashes and 8,189 non-fatal injury crashes. These numbers give a fatal or non-fatal injury rate of over 92%.
Causes of Leg Swelling After a Motorcycle Crash
The most common body parts injured in a motorcycle accident are the legs. Between 48% and 59% of injured motorcyclists suffer a lower extremity injury. These injuries typically happen when the impact of the crash knocks the rider to the ground. Even a near-miss can cause a motorcycle operator to lay down their motorcycle. Leg injuries can cause swelling after a collision.
Leg swelling can also have other causes. Injuries in other parts of the body can cause you to develop blood clots that can block your circulation and cause your legs to swell. There are several common causes of leg swelling after a motorcycle collision.
Soft Tissue Injuries
A common symptom of soft tissue injuries is inflammation. The body triggers inflammation after an injury to prevent an infection. Swelling reduces circulation, trapping any pathogens in the injured area. Fever kills the microorganisms that can cause an infection.
You do not need to suffer a cut for your leg to swell.
Many types of soft tissue injuries can produce inflammation, including:
- Strained muscles and tendons
- Sprained ligaments
- Torn cartilage
- Burns
Although swelling is a natural response, it can have serious complications. Swollen tissue can pinch the blood vessels and deprive muscles and skin of essential oxygen. This condition, called compartment syndrome, can cause gangrene and lead to an amputation without emergency treatment.
Broken Bones
Broken bones cause swelling. Like soft tissue injuries, a bone fracture can trigger an inflammatory response. A broken femur, tibia, or fibula can cause your leg to swell.
You can also experience leg swelling due to bone fractures outside of your legs. The healing process for your bone fracture begins with a blood clot. This clot covers the fracture to protect it and retain the cells needed to rebuild the bone. A piece of the clot can break off and travel through the circulatory system before lodging in the leg veins.
The leg veins can trap blood clots because the blood must fight uphill when it returns from the feet and legs. As a result, it has very little pressure and might not push a clot through. The leg veins also have valves to prevent blood from flowing backward. Clots can settle on these valves, blocking the venous blood flow.
This condition produces deep vein thrombosis. The feet and legs swell when blood flowing out of them slows down due to the clot blocking the veins.
Inactivity During Recovery
Bed rest during recovery can also cause deep vein thrombosis. The blood can pool in the veins during extended bed rest. This pooling can even happen when you sit for long periods. Worse yet, pressure on the legs from beds or chairs can further slow blood flow. The pooled blood can form clots that block blood flow and cause leg swelling.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Attorneys To Discuss Your Leg Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can cause a range of symptoms, including leg swelling. Contact Allen Law Firm, P.A. for a free consultation to discuss your motorcycle crash injuries and the compensation we can help you pursue for them.
