California is the state with the most registered motorcycles in the nation. In 2023, there were 936,809 bikes in the state, which exceeded most others by significant margins. As such, it’s not surprising that motorcycle accident rates are also high. That same year, 583 motorcyclists were killed and thousands were injured in collisions.
Frequently, bikers suffer leg injuries. These injuries can happen when a biker is hit directly by another vehicle or when they fall off their bike and crash onto the asphalt. In any scenario, leg injuries can be painful and cause swelling, making movement difficult.
Take a closer look at some of the most common causes of leg swelling after a motorcycle accident and what options you may have if you are experiencing it.
Soft Tissue Injuries
In a motorcycle crash, it can be all too easy to suffer an injury involving your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Straining or spraining a tendon or muscle in your leg can cause swelling, leading to pain and preventing you from moving the affected part normally.
A challenging aspect of soft tissue injuries is that they often take time to become noticeable. You may not realize that you were hurt at all until a few hours or even a day after the accident. When the swelling starts, the pain and stiffness can become overwhelming.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are another common motorcycle injury. If you land hard against the asphalt, get hit directly by another vehicle, or experience anything else that puts a lot of force and pressure on your leg bones, they can fracture.
Even stress breaks, which are the mildest, can lead to swelling and pain. Severe breaks, such as those involving bones that pierce the skin, will typically need surgery.
As the bones heal, the swelling will continue, which can mean significant pain. You may need to stay off the leg completely for weeks or months.
Infections
Any kind of open wound can make you more likely to develop an infection. To protect you, your body may launch an inflammatory response that causes swelling and fever. Infections are very dangerous if not addressed quickly. They can get out of control rapidly, resulting in system-wide issues that could put your life at risk.
Infections are particularly likely if you were thrown off your bike and landed on the street. Debris and germs can enter the wounds, leading to these complications.
If you notice swelling that doesn’t seem to be improving with skin that feels very hot to the touch along the wound site, you should seek medical care. If you notice any type of liquid coming out of the injury, that could also point to an infection.
Lymphatic System Disruption
A severe accident can cause trauma to any part of the body, including the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system defends the body against infections while keeping fluid levels balanced. Anything that disrupts it could mean that fluids are not eliminated as efficiently as needed, resulting in swelling.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Trauma to your legs can put you at risk of developing blood clots. Even if the trauma itself doesn’t cause the blood clots, the immobility necessary to heal from some injuries could prompt them. The blood clots stop regular circulation, which can cause swelling.
This can be a catastrophic injury because it could prevent your leg from receiving the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Additionally, a piece of the blood clot can travel to other body parts, including your lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism, which can be deadly.
Compartment Syndrome
If you suffer severe trauma to your legs, it’s possible that so much pressure could build in a muscle group — called a compartment — that it restricts blood flow. The swelling could be significant.
Aside from causing extreme pain, this can cause your muscle tissue to die. Tissue death of this sort can lead to sepsis.
Call Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers For A Free Consultation With A San Diego Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Swelling is a common issue you can experience after a motor vehicle accident. Even a relatively minor soft tissue injury can leave you with inflammation. Just because this is common, however, doesn’t mean that the injury should be ignored. All too often, swelling is a warning of a more serious problem.
If you’ve suffered inflammation because of a motorcycle crash that occurred due to another party’s conduct, speaking with an attorney about filing a claim is vital. At Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, we have over 80 years of combined experience protecting injured clients throughout San Diego.
Our team can handle every step of your claim while you focus on healing. Contact us to arrange a free consultation with a San Diego motorcycle accident attorney from our team.
