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Pain in the knee after a car accident can lead to life-long disability. If you’ve been in a car crash and have knee pain, we’ll demand compensation from all negligent parties. Contact the car accident lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm for a free case review. We’re here to fight for you and have recovered more than $1 billion for clients. Call us 24/7 at (800) 501-3011.

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Table of Contents

Overview of Knee Pain Due to a Car Accident

Various factors may cause knee pain following a car accident, including soft tissue damage or fractures to the bones that make up the knee joint – the femur, tibia, and patella. Pain may range from mild to severe and can limit mobility or make it difficult to move the knee joint. Learn more about the definition and types of knee pain after a car accident, what causes it, the treatment options available, and how to obtain the compensation you deserve.

The Statistics: Knee Pain and Car Accidents

According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, each year approximately 10 percent of those injured in a car accident suffer knee trauma.[1] Most of these injuries were caused by the knees striking the dash. While some newer car models include knee airbags, these are limited and absent from most older cars.

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Damage Due to a Knee Injury

The extent of damage associated with a knee injury depends on the type of trauma. To determine the impact the injury has on an individual, an attorney can use medical experts and the injured party’s physician to provide compelling testimony. When surgery becomes necessary, medical expenses and time lost at work typically increase. The degree of pain and suffering also depends on the extent of the injury.

People are affected differently by knee injuries. If the injured party is physically active but unable to move normally after the injury, this can increase the pain and suffering they experience. Their quality of life may be deeply affected, and our car accident attorneys will demand compensation to reflect this.

Compensation After a Knee Injury in a Car Accident

The following are compensatory damages an injured person might receive after a car accident knee injury:

  • Medical care: This includes transportation to the hospital, doctor’s fees, the cost of surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation and hospitalization.
     
  • Wage loss: This category includes the injured party’s wages before the crash, their benefits, and job perks and commissions. If they cannot resume working at their current job and must take another with a lower salary, we’ll demand that the compensation covers the difference.
  • Pain and suffering: The emotional, physical, and psychological trauma the car accident caused is often recoverable. This trauma includes anxiety, insomnia, inability to enjoy activities you once took part in, and loss of a relationship with a spouse.
  • Loss of consortium: A spouse may join in the lawsuit for loss of physical and emotional aspects of a marriage due to the accident injuries.
  • Punitive damages: When the accident is due to egregious negligence, our car accident lawyers will demand punitive damages. A judge or jury may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and prevent similar activity in the future.
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Symptoms of Knee Injury

There are a variety of symptoms associated with knee injuries, including

  • Swelling and pain
  • Abrasions with bruising
  • Lack of strength
  • Discoloration of the area
  • Lack of flexibility
  • Limited range of motion
  • Warmth caused by inflammation
  • Coldness caused by disruption of the blood supply

Definition and Types of Knee Pain After a Car Accident

Collisions often directly contribute to knee pain. It can be either acute (occurring immediately) or chronic, delayed knee pain after a car accident. The knee is a complex joint with bones, ligaments, and cartilage. The most common types of knee injuries are the following:

  • Torn meniscus: This cartilage serves as a shock absorber. The force can pull it apart during a high-impact car accident. This results in severe pain.
  • Kneecap injury: A fracture to the kneecap, called the patella, can occur during a car accident. Dislocation of the patella can also occur. When the patella is injured, it is difficult to bend or straighten the knee.
  • Torn ligaments: The anterior, cruciate, and posterior ligaments keep the knee stable. Ligament tears no longer provide this knee support. The posterior cruciate ligament regularly tears in car accident victims, leading to surgery for mobility problems.
  • Torn tendons: When the quadricep or patellar tendons get injured in a car accident, considerable pain ensues. These usually require surgery to repair the tear.
  • Fractures: All bones that make up the knee, including the patella, can be broken in a car accident. Fractures often occur upon impact with the dash, commonly called a “dashboard knee injury.” 
  • Bursitis: This inflammatory response evolves after a knee injury. It includes inflammation of the tiny fluid sacs that help maintain stability along the lateral or outside part of the knee. Bursitis can be painful and may require prescription analgesics.

Treatment Options for Knee Pain After a Car Crash

Treatment options for knee pain after a car accident depend on the severity and type of injury and any underlying conditions contributing to the symptoms. Some possible treatments include

  • Rest and immobilization: Using crutches, braces, splints, or casts to limit movement and allow the knee to heal.
  • Ice and heat therapy: Ice or heat may help reduce swelling and pain.
  • Medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids may reduce inflammation and pain.
  • Surgery: Surgical options become needed when other treatments are ineffective.

Physical Therapy and Exercise

Physical therapy can help restore the knee joint’s range of motion, strength, and flexibility following an injury. Common tactics include stretching, strengthening, balance training, and low-impact aerobic activities such as swimming or cycling. An experienced physical therapist can design a program tailored to your specific needs. 

Remember to complete all prescribed physical therapy to protect yourself both physically and legally, should a lawsuit become necessary.  

Alternative Treatments for Knee Pain

In addition to medical and physical therapy, several alternative treatments may help manage knee pain after a car accident. These include acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy, and herbal remedies.

Prevention Tips for Avoiding Knee Pain in a Car Accident

You can take several steps to reduce your risk of knee pain in a car accident. The most important is always to wear your seatbelt and follow all traffic laws while driving. You should also maintain proper posture when driving and avoid wearing shoes that could cause discomfort or instability in the knee joint. Lastly, staying active and keeping the muscles around the knee joint strong with squats, lunges, and leg raises is often recommended.

Call a Trusted Law Firm for Knee Pain After a Car Accident

If another driver has injured you or a loved one in a car accident, you may need to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Our car crash lawyers will use various techniques such as accident reconstruction, obtaining surveillance camera footage of the crash, and interviewing witnesses to procure evidence that proves the defendant’s liability. We will use this data to develop a case to negotiate a fair and favorable settlement or win a verdict in a civil court.

Our orthopedic injury lawyers use their skills to help our clients protect their rights from insurance company tricks. We work hard to prevent you from paying for the negligence caused by others. We begin this process with a free case review and listen to your story, answer your questions in plain language, and discuss your options moving forward.

When you choose legal representation with Wilshire Law Firm, you pay no fees unless you win. Call us at (800) 501-3011, or reach out to us online if that is more convenient. We are available for you 24/7.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Pain and Car Accidents

What are the most common symptoms of knee pain after a car accident?

The most common symptoms of knee pain following a car accident include swelling, stiffness, and tenderness. You may also experience a limited range of motion in your knee and instability or buckling when you attempt to move it.

What are the possible causes of knee pain after a car accident?

Various factors can cause knee pain following a car accident. The most common cause is trauma to the ligaments and tendons, which can occur upon impact with other objects or when your knees hit the vehicle’s interior. Additionally, underlying conditions such as osteoarthritis and obesity may be contributing factors.

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