After a car accident, many people can expect some upper body injuries, including whiplash and head injuries. However, few people consider how the lower body is injured after an accident. One of the most common lower body injuries for victims are knee injuries.
A knee injury can cause a long-term disability or pain, which can affect one’s ability to make money. Similarly, victims are often forced to pay expensive medical bills after injuries, including their treatment and physical therapy. A car accident victim with a knee injury may wonder whether they are entitled to compensation. Any victim facing emotional or financial losses following a motor vehicle accident is entitled to compensation for their injury. A victim should contact a personal injury lawyer to help them obtain compensation after a car accident.
Are Knee Injuries Common After a Car Accident?
The knee is an important body part to help support walking, balance, and other daily functions. Many car accident victims suffer from knee injuries. Injuries can sometimes lead to a long-term disability, which can impact one’s job.
The knee is a complex joint, making it vulnerable to different types of injuries. Some face fractures while others face a dislocation or torn ligament. Many victims facing knee injuries find that they are unable to return to work immediately or need medical care.
Different types of knee injuries include:
- Fractures
- Dislocation
- Meniscus injuries
- Ligament injuries
- Torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
- Torn medial collateral ligament (MCL)
What is Dashboard Knee?
One part of the knee joint that is often injured after an accident is the patella or kneecap. In fact, this injury is so prevalent that it is frequently called “dashboard knee.” This injury is caused by one’s knee hitting the dashboard during an accident. Symptoms of dashboard knee include:
- Swelling around the kneecap
- Tenderness when pushing on the area
- Bruising or abrasions
- Having a stiff knee
- Pain in the area or surrounding area
Depending on the severity of the injury, the healing time may vary for each victim. For some victims, it takes three to six weeks with an immobilizer or knee brace if they did not have surgery. Victims who did have surgery may need four to six months in order to completely heal from their injuries. This time period also includes physical rehabilitation for the injury.
Despite treatment and letting the injury heal, many find that they are unable to return to normal activities. In fact, many victims of dashboard knee find that they develop osteoarthritis. Others find that they have chronic pain, a lack of flexibility, and long-term stiffness. This long-term pain can ultimately impact one’s ability to make money.
Can I Get Compensation for My Knee Injury?
Car accident victims facing knee injuries are entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. In order to prevail in a personal injury lawsuit, the victim should first seek medical attention. Seeking medical attention is not only important for one’s health, but it also documents all of the related injuries.
The car accident victim should contact a personal injury lawyer. This is an important step in order for a victim to prevail in their case. Similarly, hiring a lawyer helps the victim secure the highest settlement offer from an insurance company. Many insurance companies take advantage of victims by offering low settlements. This low offer could prevent a victim from being able to pay their medical or personal bills because of the financial impact of their injuries. A lawyer is a skilled individual who knows how to maximize a settlement offer.
After being hired, the lawyer will look into the accident claim and examine the medical records. They will help the victim determine their total losses from the accident. They will then use that information in order to gauge the settlement offer. If the insurance company’s settlement offer does not cover the victim’s losses, the victim and their lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit. The conclusion of the trial will determine the total cost the insurance company owes the victim for their knee injury.
The amount of money a victim is looking at depends on the total amount of their losses, including medical bills and lost wages. For instance, a victim who lost several months of work because of pain, surgery, and physical rehabilitation will likely receive a high settlement offer. A victim interested in learning more should contact a personal injury lawyer to determine their case’s value and how to maximize a settlement offer.
Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyers at AlpernSchubert P.C. Help Car Accidents Suffering from Severe Knee Injuries
If you have a knee injury following a motor vehicle accident, you need to contact a Pittsburgh personal injury lawyer at AlpernSchubert P.C. Knee injuries occur frequently in car accident victims. Our legal team will work tirelessly to ensure that you are compensated for the expenses related to your injury. Contact us online or call us at 412-765-1888 for a free consultation. Located in Pittsburgh, we proudly serve clients throughout western Pennsylvania, including Allegheny County, Lawrence County, and Washington County.