Have You Suffered A Knee Injury From A Car Accident?

The knee is the biggest joint in our body and its very complex but it is also very susceptible to injury. A knee injury from a car accident is very serious. It can prevent you from going to work, walk, or even feel like starting up your day in the morning.

How Do Knee Injuries Occur In Car Accidents?

A person can get a serious knee injury during car accidents. The force created from colliding with another car can cause some serious damage to our bodies. Your knee can strike the vehicle’s dashboard or even bend the wrong way during the crash. The symptoms of a serious knee injury from a car accident include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Feeling like your knee is locking up
• Popping noises
• Limping
• Feeling like your knee is giving way and it is not supporting you

Common Knee Injuries From A Car Accident

Knee Ligament Sprains

A ligament sprain happens when the ligament stretches or tears. The knee is made of four ligaments that can suffer damage in a car crash:

• An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
• A posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
• Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
• Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)

A grade 1 knee sprain is a slight stretching of the ligament, grade 2 is a partial tear of the ligament and grade 3 is a complete tear. Most people suffering from a grade 3 sprain struggle to walk because of severe pain and instability. Other symptoms are:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Limited movement
• Extreme tenderness

To get better, doctors usually recommend for immediate treatment rest, ice, elevation and compression with a bandage or brace. Some ligament tears require surgery as well as physical therapy. If this is the case, it could take a year to return to normal activities.

Ruptured Patellar Tendons

The patellas tendon is in charge of attaching the kneecap to the shinbone. When this tendon ruptures it tears away from one of the connection points, preventing the person from straightening their leg. Symptoms are:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• An obvious indentation below the kneecap
• Kneecap moving from its normal position
• Difficulty straightening the leg or walking

This is a major injury causing disability and will require surgery and physical therapy. Surgery is needed as soon as possible because the earlier it gets done it can help ensure a better result with fewer lasting effects.

Kneecap Dislocations

Once a kneecap dislocates it slides to the outside of the leg. It is very easy to identify by simply looking at the knee. Symptoms are:

• A deformed look to the knee
• Inability to straighten the leg
• Pain, swelling, and tenderness

If said dislocation doesn’t damage the kneecap, it can heal in a few weeks using a cast or brace. Usually, physical therapy is needing to help strengthen the leg and recover range of motion.

If there is damage to the kneecap, surgery may be necessary. Doctors may also recommend surgery if the kneecap remains unstable after conservative treatment.

Fractures

There are three different types of fractures that a victim in a car crash can have: stable, displaced, or comminuted fracture. The least serious fracture is the stable one, and the comminuted one is very serious given the bone shatters into at least three pieces. Doctors have a number of treatments to help these fractures heal. They depend on the age, activity level, and type of fracture. The most common treatments are:

• Six to eight weeks in an immobilizing brace or cast
• No weight-bearing on the leg until healed
• Physical therapy
• Surgery

This type of knee injury after a car accident may require months to heal and they can often lead to arthritis and other longterm painful ailments. The symptoms include:

• Chronic Pain 
• Bruising
• Dwelling
• Struggle to straighten the leg or walk

How Cogburn Law Can Help You

If you suffered a knee injury from a car accident, your life can change in a split second. One minute you are perfectly mobile and the next you have suffered an injury that limits your ability to walk, work, or even sleep. Like we mentioned above a knee injury may require surgery and a long recovery. All this ordeal can leave a lasting impact on a person’s physical abilities. We will fight to get you the compensation you need, including but not limited to:

• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Emotional distress damages
• Plus more

Not only can knee injuries result from car accidents, but also minor injuries such as concussions. Learn how Cogburn Law can get you compensation for concussions, here.

Hiring A Car Accident Law Firm For A Severe Knee Injury

If this is your situation, you should speak with a Cogburn Law auto injury lawyer in Las Vegas now. Learn more about your legal options. The insurance companies will work to reduce the amount of your settlement and having the best representation on your side is key to fight back. Cogburn Law is here and ready to help you. We understand how difficult and expensive knee injuries are. We will put together a case to obtain the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (702) 748-7777 for a free consultation. You don’t pay until we win!

Do you want to learn more about the car accident process to get you better prepared for a claim? Add your email below and we will send you a guide, free of charge.

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