Common Knee Injuries in Car Accidents
Knee injuries are surprisingly common in many Miami car accidents. Drivers and front-seat passengers can ram their knees into the dash, causing direct impact to bones, ligaments, and cartilage. Meanwhile, those in the back can jam their knees into the seat in front of them, suffering much of the same damage. Contact an experienced car accident lawyer to discuss compensation for your accident.
Painful and Impactful Injuries
The knee is a complicated joint. The thigh bone connects to the shin bone at the knee, held together by ligaments. Cartilage in between the bones allows for smooth, pain-free movement. A traumatic accident can injure any part of the knee, leading to pain and disability. Some motorists cannot work because they cannot stand or walk for extended periods. Others are in so much pain they cannot leave their homes.
Some common injuries include:
ACL Tears
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) stabilizes the knee by connecting the thighbone to the shinbone. Violent movement can twist or flex the knee, stretching and possibly tearing this ligament.
An ACL tear has a reputation of being one of the most painful knee injuries. Professional athletes (who are used to dealing with pain) often cry out in agony when their ACL tears completely. Motorists can experience a similar level of pain. Other symptoms include knee instability to the point that you can’t walk.
A stretched ACL possibly requires only rest, but torn ligaments could require surgery.
MCL Tears
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) provides stability to the inner knee. It can also stretch or tear in an accident. This is a common injury when the knee is twisted inward, often from T-bone accidents. As with an ACL tear, you can experience immediate pain and hear a “popping” sound. Minor tears might only require rest, but more serious injuries require surgery.
Fractures
The bones in the knee might break under trauma. A patellar fracture is a broken kneecap. A motorist typically needs to remove all weight from their leg when they suffer a broken bone.
Meniscus Tears
The meniscus is the C-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee which provides cushion so that bones don’t grind together. Any crash could end up tearing the meniscus. This is an underappreciated injury. Surgery is often necessary to correct the tear. Without proper treatment, the cartilage can degrade, leading to arthritis in the knee. Some young people end up with serious trauma-induced arthritis and might require a total knee replacement in their 20s or 30s.
Contact a Miami Car Accident Lawyer Today
Any knee injury requires immediate attention from a doctor. We recommend that injured motorists head to the hospital for treatment. A doctor might order an imaging test to look closely at bones and soft tissue.
Contact Pita Weber Del Prado to talk about your accident and whether you can bring an injury claim. Although Florida drivers can tap their PIP benefits, this no-fault insurance might not be enough to fully cover your medical expenses. Reach out to talk with a Miami car accident lawyer at our office.
Sources:
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21979-mcl-tear
