Knee Injuries From Car Accident

Why Are Knee Injuries So Common After Car Accidents

Knee Injuries During An Auto Accident

The knee joint is a complex structure that is easily damaged when it impacts the steering wheel, dashboard, or other parts of your cars interior. One study of auto accident injuries found that 37% of victims sustained a knee injury.1 The common types of injury include:

Bruising or lacerations
Tears to tendons, ligaments, or cartilage
Fractures or dislocations of the kneecap

Because of the complex nature of the knee and the tendency of soft tissue injuries to occur, you may not know the extent of your injuries until you develop knee pain after your car accident.

Legal Options After Suffering A Car Accident Knee Injury

If you have knee pain after a car accident, you have two main legal options for recovering compensation: an insurance claim or a lawsuit.

Often, the first step is filing an insurance claim with the at-fault drivers insurance company. Insurers almost always refuse to offer a fair settlement. This is when you may be able to file a suit against the insurance company to force them to play fair.

Alabama law also allows victims of injuries that were the result of someone elses negligence to sue the at-fault party. In the case of a knee injury from a car accident, the at-fault party would likely be the other driver.

Whether you pursue an insurance claim, lawsuit, or both, you run the risk of being taken advantage of. Insurers have plenty of tricks up their sleeves to withhold compensation from you. And negligent drivers may hire attorneys to try to disprove your claims to avoid compensating you. The good news is that working with a skilled personal injury attorney can protect you from these risks and give you the best possible chance of winning a fair settlement.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident with Knee Injury?Settlements for common knee injuries from car accidents can vary widely. They depend on a few factors:

Your car accident lawyer can help you determine how much you are owed for knee pain after a car accident. And they can raise your chance of getting the maximum available amount.

Patellar Fractures Are Common During Car Accidents

The patella is another name for the kneecap, which serves as the protective shield for the rest of the knee. The patella gives the knee its structure and the ability to bend and move freely.

Any break in the kneecap bone can leave the knee joint exposed to damage. This break can occur by intense trauma from a crash affecting the kneecap.

Don’t Miss: Personal Injury Lawyer San Jose

Damages After A Car Accident Knee Injury

A knee injury can cause severe pain and significantly impact a victims daily routine. Treatment plans for these injuries often involve immobilization, surgery, and rehabilitation. For accident victims whose jobs require physical fitness and for those who are extremely active, knee injuries can cause considerable time away from regular activities. The financial strain, physical pain, and emotional stress can be hard to manage. Thats why Virginia law allows victims to hold those responsible for their injuries accountable. The at-fault driver who caused these injuries can be held responsible through a personal injury claim. A claim could provide compensation for:

Future medical bills
Future lost wages

Related links:

The Knee Is One Of Those Body Parts Most Susceptible To Injury In A Car Accident Talk To A Lawyer For Free 24/7 At 361

The knee can bang against the dashboard, the steering column, the door, or any other place in the car due to the impact of an auto collision and sustain an injury. There are various types of knee injuries, and treatment varies depending on the type and severity of the injury. The severity of a knee injury often depends on the force of the impact, the speed at the time of impact, and the angle at which your knee hit the dashboard or other part of the vehicle.

Recommended Reading: Personal Injury Attorney In Houston

What To Expect Physically After A Car Accident:

HERNIATED DISCS

Everyone knows that neck and back strains are common in car accidents, generally referred to as whiplash. But these injuries can be much more serious than just a mild strain. Sometimes the force of a collision causes the tissue between the vertebrae of the spine to balloon out or rupture. This is called a herniated disc. A herniated disc can put pressure on and inflame nerves coming out of the spine. This causes very severe pain, loss of feeling, and even loss of control of your muscles, typically in your arms or legs.These symptoms might occur right away, but also can develop in the weeks and months following an auto accident. These injuries require surgery at times and can cause long-term disability.

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES

When your head whips back and forth in an auto accident, or if your head strikes something inside your car, your brain can be impacted. This impact on the brain, called a traumatic brain injury can cause long-term damage to brain function. These injuries are insidious, as they are not always obvious right away. Months later, the injured person or his family may notice that he or she is becoming forgetful, or is undergoing a personality change, often becoming less patient or even extremely irritated or angry, when that was not their normal state previously.

KNEE INJURIES

SHOULDER INJURIES

Help After A Car Accident

If you have been in a car accident, seek immediate medical attention. Knee injury accident symptoms are often not immediately apparent, so be sure to ask your doctor or healthcare provider to examine your knees as soon as you feel symptoms.

Furthermore, it is essential to document the date of the accident and the times that symptoms begin to occur. If you begin experiencing knee pain two weeks after an accident, take detailed notes for yourself to remember all of the signs and when they occurred so that you can tell your doctor all of the details.

If youve been injured in a car accident due to someone elses negligence or recklessness, the car accident lawyers of Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, can help. Our experienced attorney team has recovered millions of dollars in damages for accident victims. Contact us today for a free legal consultation.

Brandon J. BroMon, 08/30/2021 – 13:40

Recommended Reading: Head Injury Headache Years Later

Filing A Car Accident Claim

If the cost of your injuries exceeds your personal injury protection insurance, you will need to file a car accident claim to potentially receive compensation. If your insurance doesnt cover the cost, this claim will be your only option to possibly obtain payment for your injuries after a car accident in a no-fault state like Florida.

Fractures Breaks And Tears

Bursitis – Serious Accidents Can Affect Knee Movement

A car accident can also cause your knee or kneecap to fracture or break. You might experience a torn meniscus, requiring you to wear a brace or undergo surgery. According to Cleveland Clinic guidelines, if your meniscus tear is severe enough, it might require full or partial removal by a surgeon, which can lengthen your recovery time.

Also Check: Personal Injury Lawyers Denver Co

You May Qualify To Seek Compensation For Your Injuries

If you have suffered a knee injury or other injuries after a car accident that have impaired your mobility or affected your quality of life, you could pursue compensation from the liable party who caused your accident. You can file an injury claim or lawsuit to recover compensation for your injuries, property damage, and losses.

Severe knee injuries usually result in high medical bills and ongoing rehabilitation long after a car accident is over. You should be compensated for the time and money required to restore your health and well-being, as well as the pain and suffering you endured.

Knee Injuries In Car Accidents

When people think about car accident injuries, they tend to think about injuries like whiplash, broken bones, and head trauma. While these injuries are certainly serious, its also important to recognize that knee injuries are a common result of car accidents and injuries that can leave victims with significant long-term problems. We tend to not think about our knees unless they are injured, but when they are, it can significantly affect your mobility. For this reason, people who sustain knee injuries in car accidents are often able to obtain significant compensation.

Types Of Patellar Fractures

The following are the four types of patellar fractures:

Stable fracture: This is when the bone gets knocked out of position by one or two millimeters.
Displaced fracture: The bone breaks and is no longer in position. It doesnt align with the rest of the knee and requires surgery to realign.
Comminuted fracture: The bone shatters into three or more pieces and causes these pieces to float around inside your knee.
Open fracture: The broken bone pierced the skin or penetrated down the bone.

For a free legal consultation, call

Car Accident Knee Injury Compensation

If you have a knee injury after a car accident that has impacted your quality of life, impaired your mobility, or made it difficult to work, you may be entitled to compensation for damages. Many knee injuries can result in long-term problems that require ongoing care and treatment. Some may require surgery or multiple surgeries as well as physical therapy.

It is important to contact a car accident attorney immediately after your accident. A knowledgeable attorney can determine if you have a case and help you file a claim to recover compensation for any damages or loss. Some items you may be compensated for include:

Medical treatment

Read Also: Personal Injury Lawyer Toms River

Who Pays For The Pain And Suffering In A Knee Injury Case

Illinois operates under an âat faultâ car accident insurance coverage system. It means that the driver who causes the accident is legally responsible for paying for any damages or injuries arising from the crash.

There may be multiple parties at fault in the accident in some knee injury settlements. In this scenario, the liability is divided according to the principle of comparative negligence.

There are four ways to seek compensation for a knee injury after a motor vehicle accident in Illinois.

A claim with your own insurance company .
A claim with the at-fault driverâs insurance company .
Workers compensation claims
A civil court claim against the at-fault driver.

Knee Pain Recovering After A Knee Injury From A Car Accident

Knee injuries from a car accident run the gamut from basic soft tissue injuries to fractures.

The only thing to know for sure about knee injuries is they are painful and challenging to treat. Medical expenses and lost wages due to knee injuries are frequently immense, with some people facing long-term pain.

Nearly all types of car accidents can cause knee injuries and usually, from blunt force trauma.

Common types of car accidents that cause knee injuries include:

Head-on Collisions: The force of a head-on collision results in the steering wheel or dashboard hitting your knee. In severe accidents, the impact pushes the engine onto your lap resulting in fractures, burns, and wounds on your needs and legs.
T-Bone Accidents: Impact trauma is possible for T-bone accidents because you can still hit the console or gear shift. However, side impacts cause twisting in your body, which can transfer to your knee, tearing ligaments, including your anterior cruciate ligament .
Side Collisions into a Stationary Object: Much like a T-bone accident, the side impact causes blunt form trauma into the dashboard or console but also twisting and tearing.
Rear-End Collisions: The common knee injury in a rear-end collision is dashboard knee. This injury occurs when the forward force of the impact crashes your knee into the dashboard. Sometimes, this impact causes painful soft tissue injury, but some impacts are harmful enough to fracture your kneecap.

Also Check: Personal Injury Attorney Los Angeles

Car Accident Knee Injury: Risks Treatment Legal Options

In 2018, 159,925 car accidents and 47,419 related injuries occurred in Alabama, according to the Alabama Department of Transportation. And, as one study found, roughly 10% of those injuries were knee injuries.

That’s more than an estimated 4,700 people who suffered a knee injury from car accidents in Alabama. These injuries can have lifelong impacts and cause serious pain and suffering. Read on to learn more about knee injury risks, treatment, and legal options. And for help with your case, contact the car accident lawyers at Warren & Simpson today.

Get The Compensation You Deserve After A Car Accident

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries

At Warren & Simpson, we know how severely a knee injury from a car accident can impact your life. And we have the legal knowledge to help you recover the compensation you deserve. With more than 2,000 cases won and dozens of verdicts and settlements over $1 million, we have what it takes to help you win.

To schedule a free consultation with our legal team, call 256-539-7575 or .

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Damage

The anterior cruciate ligament is located in the center of the knee and is responsible for the rotation and forward movement of the tibia . If the ligament is hyperextended or torn in a car crash, it can cause intense pain. A torn ACL injury occurs when a blunt force impacts the joint and causes the connective tissue in the knee to tear.

ACL injuries can be severe and often require reconstructive surgery to replace the torn ligament.

Symptoms of an ACL injury include:

Rapid swelling of the connective tissue surrounding the knee
Inability to move or extend the knee
Instability of the knee
A popping sound or sensation in the joint

Knee Meniscus Tear Injury

When a person is involved in a car accident it can result in multiple types of injuries. While knee injuries arent as common in a car accident as neck and back injuries are, they can be quite serious. They often require surgery and rehabilitation which can be costly and time-consuming.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a Chicago car accident and has suffered a knee injury, you should be receiving ALL of your benefits, not just the ones the insurance company wants to accept. At Willens Injury Law Offices, we focus exclusively on representing the individuals and family members of those who were injured by someone elses reckless or negligent behavior.

Read Also: Impairment Rating For Back Injury

Can I File A Lawsuit

Yes, you can sue for a knee injury after a car accident. If your auto insurance company refuses to pay for or cuts-off No-Fault benefits related to the injury you suffered, then you can sue for unpaid, overdue medical bills, attendant care, medical mileage, replacement services and lost wages because your injuries have prevented you from returning to work.

You can also sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering compensation as a result of your crash-related injuries, but you will first have to show that the other driver was at-fault for causing the collision and that your injury constitutes a serious impairment of body function under our auto law.

Additionally, you may be able to sue the at-fault driver for other economic damages, such as excess and future medical bills and lost wages.

Types Of Treatment For A Car Accident Knee Injury

When you sustain a knee injury, doctors start with the most conservative treatment and escalate when your pain and range of motion fail to resolve.

Most Treatment Plans Follow This Course of Action:

Depending on the extent of your knee injury, recovery time may require eight weeks or several years. Many ACL, PCL, and MCL ligament repair surgeries require rehabilitation efforts for up to a year, and sometimes longer.

In some cases, knee damage never heals fully, and patients develop arthritis and other chronic pain conditions.

You May Like: Workers Comp Vs Personal Injury

Car Accident Inflicted Knee Fractures

A patellar fracture can come in four forms: a stable fracture, a displaced fracture, a comminuted fracture, or an open fracture.

A stable fracture is the least severe type of fracture. This refers to when the bone gets knocked out of position by one or two millimeters. A displaced fracture means the broken bone is no longer in position and doesnt align with the rest of the knee.

A comminuted fracture means the bone is shattered into three or more pieces, with pieces floating around in your knee. An open fracture means the broken bone pierced the skin or penetrated down the bone.

With a mild kneecap injury, physical therapy may be all that is needed to stabilize the knee back into alignment. In severe cases, surgery will be your only option.

How A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help With Knee Pain After A Columbia Car Crash

Suffering from a knee injury, especially in the wake of a traumatic auto wreck, can be life-altering and have a lasting impact on your physical and mental health. The last thing on your mind should be how you are going to pay the bills, especially if you cannot immediately return to work. A personal injury lawyer navigates the legal process for you so you can fully focus on your recovery.

Not only can our experienced accident attorneys help you seek compensation, we help hold the responsible person or business accountable by:

Identifying and preserving evidence,
Helping you get quality medical treatment,
Find all avenues for financial recovery,
Negotiating with the insurance adjuster, and
If necessary, take your case to trial to secure a full, fair settlement.

Don’t Miss: Is Personal Injury Court Fake

Treatment For Knee Injuries

The treatment required for a knee injury case will depend on the level of damage sustained to the joint. For example, some ligament sprains will heal on their own in time, while other more severe ligament tears or bone fractures may require surgical repair.

Surgery may involve a total knee replacement or arthroscopic surgery to repair ligaments and realign bone fractures. Knee arthroscopy and surgeries for severe injury cases can often be costly and require several months of post-operative rest and rehabilitation. In addition, the time off work to heal properly can cause a significant financial burden.

Treatment for a knee injury and healing time can vary depending on your age and if you suffered from any pre-existing conditions that impact recovery.