Knee injuries from car accidents are one of the most common reasons people file personal injury lawsuits. There are three main reasons for this:
- Our knees are especially susceptible to injuries in a car accident because they rest underneath or against the dashboard.
- Knee injuries are often more severe than other injuries and can seriously impact our mobility.
- Knee injuries often worsen over time and can even turn into life-altering disabilities.
In this blog, we examine the most common knee injuries resulting from car accidents, how a knee injury can impact your car accident claim, and how Crosley Law is committed to helping our clients with joint injuries receive the compensation they deserve.
What Are the Most Common Knee Injuries from Car Accidents?
The knees are very complicated joints, so there are dozens of unique injuries that can occur to them, but we’re going to focus on four of the most common.
Torn Ligaments
There are four ligaments in our knees:
- Anterior Cruciate (ACL)
- Posterior Cruciate (PCL)
- Medial Collateral (MCL)
- Lateral Collateral (LCL)
A car accident could potentially tear any of these ligaments, but the ACL and the MCL are the ones most commonly injured. Depending on the severity of an ACL tear, surgery usually takes 6-9 months to heal, whereas rehabilitation can take 3-6 months. Surgery is rarely needed for an MCL tear, but most victims will need to undergo significant physical therapy.
Torn Meniscus
The knee is the largest joint in the body, so when it suffers severe trauma, there are severe effects. This is especially true with a torn meniscus, which occurs when the knee joint undergoes violent twisting or hyper-flexing. A torn meniscus is usually excruciatingly painful and will make it difficult for a person to support their own weight. Therapy is usually the first treatment, but surgery could be necessary if physical therapy isn’t effective.
Fractured Patella
Car accident victims often suffer from “dashboard knee,” which is an injury sustained when one or both knees make violent impact with the dashboard. In many cases, these individuals actually fracture their patella (or kneecap, as it’s more commonly known), which is extremely painful. A fractured patella makes it nearly impossible to walk and will require surgery or a splint for a few months, depending on the severity and precise location of the injury.
Degenerative Arthritis
While not immediately present or apparent, knee injuries from car accidents often eventually result in joint disease. Also known as osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis can present as the long-term effect of knee sprains, tears, and fractures. Unfortunately, degenerative arthritis is not curable, but there are a number of treatment methods and therapeutic approaches that can help patients manage their symptoms.
How a Knee Injury Can Influence Your Car Accident Claim
If your knee injury has caused you to wrack up medical bills, repair or lose property, or miss work and forfeit wages, then you likely have a good chance at filing a successful lawsuit against the negligent party.
So, regardless of how long after a car accident you begin to notice symptoms of a knee injury, you should visit a medical professional and reach out to an experienced joint injury attorney. The sooner we’re able to begin collecting evidence and consulting with expert witnesses, the higher the likelihood that we’ll be able to achieve a great settlement on your behalf.
Click here to read how we’ve helped hundreds of clients who have been in car accidents with negligent drivers receive financial compensation for their debilitating injuries.
If your knee injury has caused you to wrack up medical bills, repair or lose property, or miss work and forfeit wages, then you likely have a good chance at filing a successful lawsuit against the negligent party.
Contact Crosley Law Firm for Help With Your Car Accident Claim
Knee injuries from car accidents can cause serious physical pain and wreak major havoc with your professional and personal life, but you don’t have to suffer in silence.
If you’ve been involved in a car crash with a negligent driver and are considering legal action for your injuries, Crosley Law is here to help. With decades of experience and a proven track record of phenomenal recoveries for our clients, we’re the firm you need to fight for you through this challenging time.
Please contact our firm today to schedule your free consultation by calling 210-LAW-3000 | 210-529-3000 or completing this brief form.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
