The force behind car accidents can be incredibly damaging. This is exactly why car accidents are notorious for resulting life-changing and even fatal health conditions. One of these truly devastating injuries is knee injuries. During a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, an immense amount of force can be applied to the knee, and while the kneecap can withstand a tremendous amount of force, every part of the body has a breaking point. Those who complain about knee pain after an auto accident, have often received a knee injury which can range from a minor bruising of the vital kneecap to incredibly damaging injuries that can result in chronic knee pain, and even affect the mobility of the victim. In this article, we will cover the causes of knee injuries after a car accident, some common knee injuries suffered by car accident victims, the best possible treatment for knee pain after a car accident, and what you can do to make a full recovery from your damages. Consult with an expert attorney with experience handling car accident claims at the top-rated Normandie Law Firm on how to best move forward.
Causes of Knee Pain and Some Common Injuries
The knee and kneecap are a crucial component of a person’s ability to move. If damaged, an individual can suffer from a lifetime of mobility issues that may only be solved through extensive physical therapy, or even reconstruction surgery. When in a car accident, a tremendous amount of force is applied to the body. Depending on where the impact occurs, and how fast the vehicles involved are going, this force can crush bones, even the incredibly strong Tibia or shinbone. The kneecap, while meant to withstand high amounts of pressure has a breaking point, and if put under strain can result in some truly damaging knee injuries. Those who experience car accidents and complain about knee pain after the incident often suffers from some of the following injuries:
- Fractures: In the event of a car accident, the victims in the car may hit their knee on the hard plastic components that make up the forward interior of the car. The force of this collision could cause the kneecap or the knee joint to fracture tragically. One fracture, in particular, patellar fractures, are incredibly severe and in most cases require knee surgery to recover from fully. Many victims experience incredible pain, bruising, and swelling, as well as a lack of proper mobility as a result of their injuries. If someone suffers from a knee fracture, they may be unable to walk until the fractured knee is fully repaired through proper medical treatment.
- Sprains: A knee sprain can occur when the ligaments in the knee are stretched beyond their ability to do so. This injury tends to occur most commonly with slip and fall accidents but can occur in car accidents as well. In most cases, a sprain is caused by very sudden movement of the knee or kneecap. A sprain often comes with symptoms like knee stiffness, pain, bruising and swelling. In severe cases where the ligament is torn, this injury may require invasive knee surgery.
- Tears: In these injuries, the joint of the knee, called the meniscus, is torn. This can happen when there is a sudden turn or twist in the knee. At the same time, the foot remains in place. A knee tear can heal on its own if physical therapy is appropriately administered. Unfortunately, in more severe cases, surgery may be required. The surgical procedure to treat a knee tear involves the removal of cartilage which can permanently cause weakness in the knee joint. Those who suffer from tears will experience swelling and severely limited movement.
- ACL Injuries: An anterior cruciate ligament injury or ACL injury can occur when the knee bends backward unnaturally, when it is twisted, or when it jerks violently from side to side. The force needed to inflict an ACL can occur most commonly in a car accident. An ACL injury can come in two forms of severity, partial or complete. The most painful form of ACL injury involves an avulsion which can occur when there is a full twist of the ligament itself. Those who experience ACL injuries will often feel and hear a pop in the knee at the moment of the injury. This injury can cause chronic pain, swelling, and can limit the movement of the victim.
As stated prior the knee joint and kneecap are a vital part of the human body. This component allows for more proper mobility, and if damaged can directly hinder that. The damages from a knee joint or kneecap injury can be difficult to recover from fully. While there are many advanced medical procedures to treat these injuries there, is no guarantee that the treatment will result in a full recovery of previous motor functions. However, if you have experienced a car accident and suffer from mild to severe knee pain, it is, in your best interest that you seek assistance from a medical professional. Receiving proper treatment for your knee injury can mitigate the long-term damages a knee injury can cause, and can hopefully help you regain the state of mobility you had previous to your accident. An accomplished attorney with expertise in car accident injury lawsuits can help you select an adequate doctor.
Treatment of Knee Injuries After Car Accidents and What You Can Do
Knee injuries suffered after car accidents should always be met with suitable and professional medical treatment. The amount of force behind car accidents can lead to some truly grueling and devastating damages, and the sooner you receive help, the more likely you are to reach a full recovery. The treatment for a knee injury varies, depending on the injury itself, however, some of the treatments a doctor may recommend, include:
- Resting the knee
- Applying Ice to the Knee
- Compressing the Knee with an electric bandage, straps, or sleeves
- Raise the knee
- Take anti-inflammatory painkillers
- Practice strengthening exercises
In some instances, a doctor may recommend reconstructive or reparative surgery for your knee injury. This is usually the case when the injury is incredibly severe and directly disables the individual from regaining proper motor functions. These procedures can be highly invasive and can take some time to recover from fully. If you have suffered from knee pain after a car accident, it is crucial that you report your condition to a medical professional as soon as possible. The sooner you can receive adequate medical help, the more likely you can mitigate the long-term damages these knee injuries can cause.
However, there are some drawbacks to even receiving proper medical treatment. If your injury is severe, the treatments needed to repair your damaged tissue could result in sky-rocketing medical bills that can be challenging to overcome on your own. This fact is particularly true of those who lack proper insurance coverage plans. Fortunately, if you or a loved one has suffered from chronic knee pains after a car accident as a result of the negligence or misconduct of another behind the wheel, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. These lawsuits can help you earn the compensation you deserve for the damages that you have suffered. The compensation that is paid to you can help you cover things like medical costs, a loss of wages, and any pain and suffering you may have had to endure. However, the process of filing a lawsuit is best done with the help of a lawyer with expertise in fighting for the rights of victims of car accidents. Having a skilled attorney who has experience in handling car accident cases you could find some if not all of the damages you suffered returned to you in the form of a sizeable monetary compensation.
How Normandie Law Firm Can Help
Knee pain can range from a dull ache to severe pains that hinder mobility and if not appropriately addressed can result in a lifetime of trauma and damage. If you or a loved one have experienced knee injuries as a result of a car accident, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation for your damages. At Normandie Law Firm, our Los Angeles attorneys are experienced in handling car accident cases. Clients who file a claim with our Los Angeles law firm could find some if not all of the following damages compensable to them:
- Past and Future Medical Expenses
- Loss of Wages
- Potential Loss of Future Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress (anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc…)
- Punitive Damages (which can only be won by qualified attorneys with experience in car accident cases, as these damages are extremely difficult to come by)
Victims of car accidents or any other motor accident can contact our law offices to receive more information on how to receive adequate compensation for their damages. While our top law firm is based in Los Angeles, our experienced lawyers also practice in San Diego, Orange County, Riverside, Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, and throughout the state of California.
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Other attorneys will sign you up to their firm but will disappear once your name is on the paper as they are busy signing up more cases. In these instances, their business is based more on volume and will attempt to sign up as many cases as possible. In turn, they will spend less time on cases resulting in severely reduced settlements. Our firm will not treat you like a number. We will be in communication with you throughout our lawsuit and will treat you like family. So if you already have an attorney, don’t worry, we’ll give you a second review of your case 100% free of charge. Call us today to speak with an experienced attorney.
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If you contact our law offices today, we can walk you through the complicated process of filing your claim completely free of charge. As a show this commitment to you and your case we offer our clients the benefits of a zero fee guarantee policy. Under our zero fee policy, all clients don’t pay for our services until their case is won. If you feel in need of a second opinion, second opinion case reviews are also free under this policy. Please, feel free to give us a call, and a lawyer experienced in car accident cases can guide you down the path of receiving proper compensation for your damages.
