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Common Knee Injuries From Vehicle Accidents - Compensation 101

Apr 26, 2019
Many kinds of vehicle accidents are fatal. If you have made it out alive, you may have sustained minor injuries such as bruises and cuts, or more severe and permanent injuries that have an impact on your daily functioning. Injuries involving the knee can be considered as some of the more serious injuries resulting from a vehicle accident. A knee injury can greatly impact other aspects of your life. On top of causing you excruciating pain, it also restricts your ability to go to work, to carry out simple household tasks, and partake in certain physical activities.

Common Symptoms of Knee Injuries

If you were recently in a car accident, it is extremely crucial that you keep a lookout for the following symptoms:

– Soreness

– Stiffness

– Compromised range of motion

– Bruising

– Discoloration on the skin

If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, then it is imperative that you seek medical attention from your doctor right away.

The severity of knee injuries largely depends on how the vehicle accident occurs. For instance, if you are rear-ended, it is likely that your knees will be pushed against the steering wheel or under the dashboard. As a result of this kind of accident, you may experience soreness, stiffness, and limited range of motion. However, it can potentially develop into something far more serious.

Knee Injuries From a Vehicle Accident

In most cases, knee injuries can only be determined with treatment from an orthopedic doctor or a specialist, along with in-depth testing such as Magnetic Resource Imaging (MRI). Therefore, it is imperative that you get yourself checked out by the doctor after your accident so that all your injuries are detected.

Knee Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains are some of the most common types of knee injuries. Typically, doctors will prescribe RICE, or Rest, Ice, Compression, and Exercise. Although sprains and strains may seem like minor injuries, they can still make you extremely uncomfortable and also stop you from participating in some activities or even from working.

Your knee consists of four major ligaments: anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). These ligaments are the connective tissue that connects the femur to the tibia. When there is damage to your ligaments, your doctor will rate the tears on a scale of one to three. Grade 1 refers to a mild injury, Grade 2 is a partial tear, and Grade 3 means a complete tear. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may get away with rest or physical therapy, or you may need surgery to regain strength and stabilization.

Torn Menisci

Menisci are two discs of connective tissue in each knee that are responsible for protecting the joint surface and bone ends. A torn meniscus is another common knee injury that results from a vehicle accident. Symptoms of a torn meniscus typically include swelling, stiffness, weakness, instability, and a feeling of your knee being locked in place when trying to move it. If a torn meniscus is detected after your accident through X-Ray or MRI testing, you may have to do physical therapy, strength-building exercises, or even arthroscopic surgery.

Getting Help From a Personal Injury Lawyer

After a car accident, it is reasonable that you would want compensation for your medical bills, pain, lost wages, as well as other emotional distress experienced from the accident. You can claim the compensation that you deserve if you can prove the other driver’s liability. In other words, you need to prove that it is the driver’s negligence that causes the accident, which in turn leads to injuries and damages. If your knee injuries are caused by an 18-wheeler accident, then you can hold the trucking company liable for the driver’s negligence with the help of a truck accident lawyer.

If you’re looking for a personal injury attorney in Toledo, Ohio – get in touch today! We’re happy to help fight your side.
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