A car accident can result in many different types of injuries. Some of them are minor and don’t require specialized medical attention while others may be serious and life-threatening, cause disabilities or even death.

One of the most common injuries in car accidents is knee injury. This is sometimes over-looked or misdiagnosed, leading to problems much later in life if left untreated. Any injury to the knees can pose a risk to your well-being, mobility, health and fitness and increase your vulnerability to obesity and diabetes etc. Hence, any pain or discomfort in the knees following an accident should be immediately attended to.

Types of knee injury

In broad terms, knee injuries are usually sustained due to direct, blunt impact with the hard parts of the car, such as the dash-board. They could also be due to twisting or excessive extending of the leg. Sprains, strains and tearing of ligaments is common. Bone fracture, kneecap damage, bruising, internal bleeding, tissue and muscle damage, skin lacerations and fabric burns are also common car accident related knee injuries.

ACL Injury: An important ligament that prevents forward motion, supports the knee, stabilizes it and provides mobility is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). Damage to this ligament can have serious impact on the person’s mobility and they can experience severe pain.

PCL Injury: The Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) is much stronger than its counterpart, the ACL. Though injuries to this are less common, they do happen with severe blunt trauma. This ligament is also supportive of the knee and determines the direction of mobility. PCL and ACL injuries rarely occur in isolation and appear along with other trauma to the knee.

MCL Injury: is caused by damage to the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and is one of the most commonly seen knee injuries following a car accident. Patients report a tearing/ripping sensation inside the knee and there is severe bruising and swelling. Twisting injuries to the knee can also cause MCL damage.

Sprains/Strains: Ligament tear, stretch or rupture cause sprains, while muscle/tendon tear, stretch and rupture cause strains. There are three different grades of both Sprains and Strains.

Dislocation: is caused by powerful impact to the knee and is a very hazardous accident. It can result in loss of the limb, serious fall when the knee suddenly flexes etc. If left untreated, the blood supply to the lower part of the leg gets cut off, leading to loss of the limb.

Fracture: is caused by moderate-to-serious impact. It may be open or closed fracture, which may require surgery, cast, immobilization, etc. These injuries heal without too many issues but need to be attended to in time.

Treatment

Knee injuries must be attended to immediately. Ligament, muscle, tendon tears and damage require immobilization, with painkillers to provide relief from pain. Bruising should be monitored to avoid vascular complications. If the victim has arthritis, diabetes, hypertension etc, care should be taken while prescribing medication.

Minor injuries can be managed with the RICE protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. However, knee injuries are often deceptive in nature and the full impact may not be obvious immediately. Any pain, loss of mobility, stability or discomfort should be reported to your physician as soon as possible.

Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis can result in loss of mobility, loss of the limb, degenerative joint disease, compartment syndrome etc.

Major knee injuries require surgery, cast, immobilization and physiotherapy to restore full functioning.

Obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other life-style diseases are often the direct result of knee injury due to restricted mobility.

Legal Aspects 

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a car accident and have suffered knee injuries, you require immediate legal representation so that you can claim compensation. Any delays can cause the statute of limitations to run out.

Our personal injury lawyers can provide expert legal advice to put together a valid claim. Though statutory benefits are available under the no-fault laws, you can also file a lawsuit and claim compensation if you can prove that the injury was caused by a fault of another.

Our no win no fee lawyers can begin working on your case, gather sufficient documentary and photographic evidence, get witnesses and experts to testify on your behalf and ensure that your rights are protected both in the long and short term.

You can claim damages for:

• Present, Past and Future Medical Bills
• Loss of income or Earning Capacity
• Lost Wages
• Care-giver expenses
• Household maintenance
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Future care costs

If you have insurance coverage for short and long term disability our accident injury lawyers can advise you about how you can claim these benefits.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333.