Car accidents often result in injuries, whether you are a driver, passenger, or pedestrian in the accident. Injuries can occur all over the body, including to the head and neck, the back, arms, and legs. Knee injuries are very common in car accidents. Because this is a joint that holds the leg together and is responsible for leg mobility, injuries to the knee can be painful, take a long time to heal, and if the injury is severe enough, may create a long-term disability. If you or a loved one have suffered knee injuries from a car accident in Florida, New Hampshire, or Vermont, one of our experienced car accident attorneys at Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer may be able to assist you in getting the compensation you are entitled to under the law. Call (802) 457-4848 to schedule a consultation and learn more about your legal rights after a car accident.
United States Car Accident Injury Statistics
The National Safety Council estimates that there were 5,200,000 injuries in 3,600,000 crashes throughout the United States in 2022. This number is the number of medically consulted injuries from car accidents in 2022 and does not include injuries that individuals may have sustained without seeking medical treatment. Using slightly different criteria to determine the number of injuries, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates there were 2,382,771 injuries from car crashes in 2022. While these numbers have decreased slightly from some previous years, they are still quite high.
Additionally, the total motor vehicle injury costs for 2022 in the United States were estimated to be $481.2 billion. This number includes wage and productivity losses, motor vehicle property damage, employer costs, medical expenses, and administrative expenses associated with the car accidents.
Common Knee Injuries From a Car Accident
While individuals can suffer many injuries throughout the entire body in a car accident, knee injuries from a car accident are quite common. There are four common types of knee injuries: meniscus, ligament, fracture, and dislocation.
Meniscus Injuries
These injuries are to either the medial meniscus or the lateral meniscus, the two pieces of cartilage that act as cushions for the knee joint. Made up of connective tissue, which is softer than bone, meniscus injuries occur when the impact of a car crash causes the knee to rotate or twist, tearing the meniscus. This can result in pain, stiffness, swelling, and possibly restricted rainge of motion at the knee joint, which may limit the entire leg’s mobility.
Ligament Injuries
Ligaments are connective tissue that forms the knee joints. Ligaments can overstretch and tear in a car accident. Often, individuals who have torn a ligament may be able to manage walking, but the pain and instability makes it very difficult. There are four ligaments in the knee that can be injured. The first is the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), which controls backward movement. The PCL often suffers an injury called “dashboard knee,” which is when the ligament is torn by a direct impact with the dashboard or steering wheel. This is the most common knee soft tissue injury, accounting for nearly 20% of these injuries.
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) controls rotation and forward movement and can tear when the joint is struck, twisted, or overextended. The Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) balances the inner knee and can tear when blunt trauma forces the knee sideways, like when they strike the vehicle’s door in an accident. The Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) is responsible for balancing the outer knee, and can be torn when the knee is subjected to a sudden sideways blow. However, an LCL tear may have pain that localizes outside of the knee rather than in the knee itself.
Knee Fractures
Another common knee injury an individual may suffer is a kneecap fracture. The force of the impact can cause the knee to slam against the dashboard hard enough to partially or totally break the kneecap bone, also known as the patella. They can also crush or fracture the tibial plateau, which is the bone making up the bottom half of the knee joint. These fractures make up approximately 10% of all serious accident injuries.
Knee Dislocations
A dislocation occurs when a bone in the knee shifts out of place due to blunt force trauma. These can be mild or severe, depending on the severity of the trauma and which bone has shifted. Mild dislocations may cause the bone to only partially shift, leading to pain and stiffness. More severe dislocations can cause extreme pain and swelling, an inability to walk or stand, and may require surgery to repair.
Symptoms of Knee Injuries From Car Accidents
Individuals often rely on feeling or seeing symptoms of an injury before seeking medical attention after a car accident. At Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer, we advise against waiting as symptoms may be delayed as much as 24 to 48 hours after an accident. Additionally, not all injuries will have symptoms, yet they can severe or even fatal. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that all individuals involved in a car accident seek medical attention right away to ensure they receive proper treatment and can document all injuries for filing a claim with the insurance company or a lawsuit later.
Individuals may need urgent medical attention in an emergency room or urgent care clinic immediately after the accident, or they may be able to make an appointment with their primary care physician, depending on the symptoms they may be observing. Even if there are no symptoms, an appointment with a primary care physician to ensure there are no injuries is still recommended.
When To Seek Urgent Medical Attention
While a knee injury is highly unlikely to be fatal, it can result in a long-term or permanent disability if it is not diagnosed and treated promptly. Additionally, if the individual continues to put weight on the knee by walking, they may worsen the injury and cause further damage.
Individuals should seek urgent medical attention in an emergency room or urgent care clinic if:
- The knee joint is deformed or bent
- There was a “popping” sound when the injury happened
- There is intense pain or sudden swelling
- The individual cannot bear weight on the knee
- There is weakness or instability
- The individual has a limited range of motion
- The individual suddenly loses their range of motion or has an inability to flex and extend the knee
- There is a high fever
When To See Your Primary Care Physician
In some cases, knee injuries from a car accident do not require urgent medical attention. Even when this is true, the individual should still see their primary care physician as soon as possible after the accident. If their physician cannot see them within 24 to 72 hours after the accident, the individual should ask for a referral to another doctor who can see them, to ensure that they can later prove that their injuries are related to the car accident.
Symptoms that can wait for an appointment with a primary care physician include the knee being badly swollen, red, very painful, bruising or discoloration, popping or clicking when moving, or warmth and tenderness.
Compensation for Car Accident Knee Injuries
Compensation for knee injuries from a car accident vary widely depending on the circumstances. The severity of the injury, cost of medical bills, type of injury, number of injuries, and the long-term impact of the injury all factor into the possible compensation an individual may receive. Pain and suffering may also be included in compensation, though this varies depending on the state.
Evidence to Keep for Compensation
Those factors will require evidence to show the insurance company or to be used in a lawsuit. Individuals will want to save this evidence from the moment they begin seeking medical attention. Evidence that should be saved includes copies of medical bills, results of diagnostic tests, information regarding medications and surgeries, rehabilitation referrals and bills, lost wages, and proof of diminished earning capacity. If an individual chooses to hire a lawyer for a car accident, the lawyer may have more suggestions for documents that can be used as evidence.
Noneconomic Compensation
Individuals may also be compensated for pain and suffering. In Florida, individuals can receive pain and suffering, which includes compensation for physical pain, emotional distress and anguish. A judge or jury determines the amount of compensation for pain and suffering with no caps on damages. In New Hampshire, pain and suffering also includes physical pain, as well as discomfort, mental and emotional distress, anxiety, fears, and loss of enjoyment of life. However, New Hampshire does cap noneconomic damages at $875,000 per NH §508:4-d. Vermont also allows pain and suffering, but it is important to note that the state only awards pain and suffering if the individual bears 50% or less of the fault for their injuries, according to 12 V.S.A. § 1036.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Assist You?
Car accidents can be complicated, particularly when proving that injuries were caused by the accident and asking for pain and suffering. A skilled car accident attorney may be able to assist you with negotiating a settlement with the insurance company, filing a lawsuit, collecting evidence, proving fault, or answering other questions you may have. If you have suffered knee injuries from a car accident in Vermont, Florida, or New Hampshire, our compassionate personal injury attorneys at Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer may be able to assist you in understanding your legal rights and what options you may have. Call (802) 457-4848 to schedule a consultation to review your case.