Do you have knee pain after a Georgia car crash? If so, there is no need to panic, but there are some immediate steps you should take to avoid complications that could impact your mobility in the long-term.
At Roden Law, we discuss some of the most common knee injuries that occur in car crashes. Our experienced Savannah car accident lawyers explain what you should do if your knees hurt after a Georgia car crash. We also talk about the compensation you may be eligible to recover for things like medical costs and lost wages resulting from the accident.
Not sure if you have legal options? Call our law offices today to discuss your situation and learn if you may have a valid injury case. This meeting does not have to be face-to-face; it is completely confidential and 100 percent free of cost.
Call for a FREE case review today. 1-844-RESULTS.
When Should I Seek Medical Treatment for Knee Pain After a Crash?
Whether or not you have knee pain after a car crash, you should get a full medical examination right away. Waiting to seek treatment could cause injuries, including any damage to your knees to worsen. Time is often critical for car crash injuries, and delayed medical treatment can also prolong the healing process.
Another issue that may arise if you wait to seek medical care after a crash is that you may have a hard time being successful recovering compensation through an injury claim. Insurance companies may try to argue that you were not injured in the car crash but by something else. They may also say that if you were injured, as you say, then you would have sought treatment right away.
Can I Sue for a Knee Injury After a Car Crash?
Each case is different, but generally, yes, if someone else caused your car crash and knee injury, you may be eligible to sue. Before considering your next steps, however, you should speak to an experienced injury lawyer who understands car crash cases. In Savannah, Roden Law has a team of experienced attorneys who can help you to understand your rights and what steps to take next.
If you are dealing with a knee injury from a car crash, it is crucial to get medical help first and then consider your legal options. A skilled attorney can guide you through the process and help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
What Types of Knee Injuries Often Happen in Georgia Car Crashes?
Regardless of who is responsible for a car crash in Georgia, the impact can cause any number of injuries, including to your knees. The most common knee injuries after a crash include:
- Dislocated or Fractured Patella: This is when your kneecap gets knocked out of place or breaks. It can happen if your knee hits something hard in the car. This might need surgery or a brace to heal.
- Torn Meniscus: This injury involves the cartilage in your knee and usually needs surgery to fix. You will know something is wrong if your knee swells or you hear a clicking sound.
- Torn Ligaments: These are tough bands of tissue that can tear during a crash. The three main ones at risk are the ACL, MCL and PCL. These injuries often require surgery.
- Ruptured Tendons: This is when the tendons in your knee tear, causing a lot of pain and usually needing surgery to repair.
- Bursitis of the Knee: This condition can cause swelling, discoloration and pain in the knee. It indicates more serious damage that needs quick medical care.
What Symptoms May Indicate a Severe Crash Injury to the Knees?
After a car crash, you might not be aware of any pain immediately. Adrenalin from the unexpected trauma often initially blocks pain. If your injury is internal, such as a torn meniscus, you may not see any visible damage either. Despite what you may not feel or see, you should immediately get to a nearby hospital for a full examination. In addition to a severe knee injury, you want to rule out the possibility of any severe or life-threatening damage you sustained in the crash.
Feeling knee pain and want to know what symptoms to look for? Here are some of the key symptoms you may experience:
- Clicking or popping sounds
- Swelling or stiffness
- Pain or redness around the knee
- Trouble putting weight on the leg
- Feeling like your knee is unstable or might give out
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should seek medical care right away. When you see the doctor, be sure to let him or her know you were in a car crash. This type of information can help to provide insight about the type of knee injury you may have, which could help you to get treatment faster.
Why Knees Are More Vulnerable to Injuries
Your knees are complex and carry your body’s weight, making them easy to hurt in a crash. The unique physical structure of a human knee lets us move in many ways. At the same time, it makes them prone to injury. In a car crash, knees are positioned to be more vulnerable to blunt force trauma injuries. The violent jolt of a crash could cause a victim’s knees and legs to get turned and twisted in awkward ways. Sometimes a crash can be severe enough to trap a victim’s legs between or under wreckage, increasing the likelihood of severe injury to the knees and/or legs.
How Are Knee Injuries From a Car Crash Treated?
Once a doctor diagnoses what is causing your knee pain, then he or she can determine your plan of care. Not seeking treatment could make your injury worse or leave you with chronic pain. In some cases, you could suffer permanent complications that leave you with limited mobility.
Treatments for knee injuries vary, depending on the severity and area of the knee that sustained damage. For instance, if you sprained your knee, you may only need rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE). Many crash victims may need to undergo some type of physical therapy to restore strength, flexibility and mobility to the area.
For more severe knee injuries, however, such as if you sustained a tear in one of the ligaments that supports your knee, you may need surgery to repair it. A dislocated or fractured kneecap will also require surgery. Some crash victims may have knee injuries so severe that they will need plates or screws surgically inserted to hold the bones in place while they heal. Knee injuries often require physical therapy as well, to help victims rebuild the muscles and other supportive soft tissue.
Injured in a Savannah Car Crash? Call Roden Law to Discuss Your Claim
If you were injured by another’s negligence, we encourage you to seek legal help as soon after your Savannah car crash as possible. Insurance companies do not have the same end goal as you do. Their objective is to part with as little money as possible to protect their company’s bottom line.
At Roden Law, our goal aligns with yours, however. We work diligently to recover the maximum possible amount of compensation. Our focus is to do all we can to ensure you are not left paying for damages caused by another party.
Need legal help after a car crash in Georgia? You can contact our law offices anytime, night or day, and there are no upfront costs or fees to pay. Once you request a free case review, we will arrange a completely confidential meeting to discuss your situation with an experienced attorney at our firm.
We only get paid if you do, so call to learn what legal options you may have today. We are here to help you.