One of the most common injuries that people suffer in accidents are knee injuries. These injuries are frequently reported after falls on dangerous property, car accidents, and workplace accidents.
In a crash, for example, a person’s knees can easily be dislocated or fractured, or the delicate cartilage and ligaments inside could be torn. These injuries are reported so frequently that, according to Edmunds, auto manufacturers are starting to incorporate airbags that will protect occupants’ knees in the event of a collision.
A knee injury can be painful and cause significant problems for a person, often making it difficult to walk, lift objects, and perform other everyday tasks. Accident victims could find themselves unable to work for an extended period of time. This often means that people struggle with not only medical bills for treatment, but also the loss of income.
If you or a loved one suffered a knee injury in an accident caused by another party’s negligence in the greater New Braunfels area, know that you have the right to seek fair compensation for the harm you have suffered. The experienced knee injury attorneys at Burch Law Firm understand the long-term financial stress that accident victims can face, and we fight for the full compensation you deserve.
We represent clients on a contingency fee basis, so you will not have to pay anything unless we recover a monetary award for you. Our personal injury lawyers will answer all of your legal questions during a free consultation as soon as you call (888) 985-5248 or contact us online.
What Are the Most Common Types of Knee Injuries?
In an accident, there are several different types of knee injuries that a person could suffer. Some of the most frequent knee injuries people sustain include:
- Fractures — A fracture is a broken bone, and a knee fracture involves some kind of break or crack on a bone in the knee joint. This is also known as a patellar fracture.
- Dislocation — A dislocation involves the knee slipping out of place, causing enormous pain for the victim. Knees are dislocated when the joint between the tibia and the femur is disrupted.
- Ligament injuries — Ligaments tear in major sprains, and the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee is the common ligament tear many people are familiar with.
- Meniscal tears — A torn meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic. Meniscal tears can result from any activity involving twisting or rotating of a knee. This can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness.
- Tendon injuries — If a patellar tendon is torn, it is separated from the kneecap and a person is incapable of straightening their knee.
The above list is not all-inclusive, and even chronic knee pain after an accident can warrant compensation. Make sure you speak to a knowledgeable knee injury attorney about the specifics of your case.
What Types of Accidents Cause Knee Injuries?
Individuals may suffer knee injuries in a range of different types of accidents. Each injury will have its own unique circumstances, and an investigation will be needed to determine who should be held liable.
In general, a few of the most common kinds of accidents that cause knee injuries include:
- Slip and falls — When a person slips and falls on a dangerous premises, the knee is one of the body parts that is often injured. People may twist their knee in a fall or land on their knee, causing serious injury.
- Car and truck accidents — Injuries to lower extremities are common in motor vehicle accidents because people usually are not able to brace or protect themselves.
- Motorcycle accidents — While we often caution motorcyclists to use helmets to reduce the chances of head injuries, the rest of their bodies are left exposed to all kinds of harm. Knee injuries are especially common when motorcyclists are thrown from their bikes.
- Workplace accidents — People can injure their knees in a variety of workplace accidents. In some cases, victims may be able to pursue payment beyond workers’ compensation benefits when a third party, such as a subcontractor, is to blame for the knee injury.
No matter how you were hurt, if you believe your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you should speak with our knee injury attorney about your right to pursue compensation.
What Costs Can I Recover as a Result of My Knee Injury?
In most cases, your lawyer will be negotiating a settlement with the insurance company for the person who caused your accident. Most personal injury claims (including knee injury claims) never see the inside of a courtroom. Instead, they will likely settle out of court. When a settlement cannot be reached, however, a lawsuit can be filed to seek full payment for damages.
Some of the common types of compensation our New Braunfels law firm seeks include:
- Medical treatment
- Future treatment costs
- Lost income from missed time at work
- Reduced earning capacity for the future
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of hobbies, exercise, and other activities
Texas does allow for punitive damages (also known as exemplary damages or vindictive damages) to be awarded, but these kinds of damages are rare. They are intended to punish the at-fault party for severe behavior.
How Long Do I Have to File a Knee Injury Claim?
In Texas, a person typically has two years from the date of the accident to bring a personal injury claim, although there are exceptions. It is crucial that you consult with a knee injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident in order to begin preserving evidence and building a strong claim.
Our Knee Injury Attorney Is Here to Help
Did you or a loved one suffer a knee injury in an accident caused by another party’s negligence in New Braunfels or a surrounding area of Texas? Burch Law Firm has more than 25 years of experience fighting for the rights of people harmed by the negligence of others.
Our highly skilled New Braunfels knee injury attorneys will fight for every last dollar of compensation you need and deserve to move forward with your life. Call (888) 985-5248 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.
