Knee injuries are among the most common types of injuries to be sustained by victims of car accidents. Injuries to the knee, whether they be a fracture, a sprain, a dislocation, or tearing of the cartilage or ligaments, can severely impede a person’s mobility and may impact a person’s ability to work as well as their capacity to enjoy life.
Under the law of California, if you were involved in a car accident and suffered a knee injury because of the accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation. You may be able to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages by retaining the services of an experienced car accident attorney who can provide you with legal representation.
How Do Car Accidents Cause Knee Injuries?
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedics, approximately one-third of car accident victims suffer knee injuries. The knee is a complex structure that is prone to injury in automobile collisions. Most injuries are caused by frontal impacts, which result in a high-velocity impact (inertia) between the patella (kneecap) and the dashboard’s underside.
Accident victims frequently report knee injuries caused by a direct blow to the area. This can occur when the driver’s knee strikes the steering wheel, steering column, dashboard, or any other interior surface. Knee injuries can also be severe if the steering column, dashboard, or side door crushes the victim’s knees during a collision.
The most common knee injuries reported include:
- Fracture of the patella
- Rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament
- Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament
- Rupture of the medial collateral ligament
- Knee sprains and strains
- Degenerative arthritis
Knee Injury Settlements After Car Accident
When determining the amount of compensation, you are entitled to receive for a knee injury that you sustained in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, your attorney will most likely take into account the following factors when doing the calculation:
- Past and future medical expenses and rehabilitation costs.
- Lost wages due to time off work.
- Required medical devices.
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish.
If the driver’s insurance company does not provide you with a reasonable settlement offer, you and your attorney may decide to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to recoup the funds necessary to pay your medical expenses and move on with your life.
Conclusion
Knee injuries require extensive treatment and rehabilitation nearly all the time. This is due to the intricate structure of the knee as well as its importance to the mobility of a person. If you or someone you care about has sustained a serious knee injury because of a car accident, you may be entitled to a significant amount of compensation for your losses.
The skilled litigators who practice at 2H Law Firm are familiar with the effects that a knee injury can have on a person’s life and ability to earn a living. We are here to advocate on your behalf and aid as you pursue the full compensation to which you are entitled.
You can make an appointment for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer who is both knowledgeable and compassionate by calling us at (619) 374-9320.
