Knee Injuries From a Car Accident
You are driving near the Heights in Houston when an intoxicated driver t-bones your vehicle. The collision is so severe that your vehicle is totaled and you suffer significant bodily injuries, including damage to your knees. Unfortunately, this is a common scenario for both drivers and passengers who are the victims of automobile collisions. Contact a Houston car accident lawyer today for a free consultation!
Types of Knee Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents
Various injuries to the knee can be sustained in a car accident. While some may be minor injuries, others may be fatal. They include:
- Knee Sprain & Strain: Knee sprains are characterized by the stretching, tearing, or rupturing of ligaments or the joint capsule. A ligament sprain occurs when the ligament suffers stretching or tears. The knee has four ligaments that may suffer damage in a car wreck:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): When torn, you may experience strong pain that worsens with motion.
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL): This is the strongest and least likely to get damaged
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL): This is the most often damaged ligaments in the knee
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
- Dislocation: A knee dislocation is a “limb-threatening” injury that could result in amputation if not quickly and adequately treated. Fortunately, dislocations are rare, and are only caused by an especially powerful blow to the knee. This injury is often obvious from the look of the knee alone.
- Fracture: A fracture of any of the bones in the knee is traumatic. It can be caused by the application of a moderate or high force to the knee. A fracture may be closed or open. Often, fractures heal without permanent damage problems but may be complicated by arthritis or arterial injury.
- Ruptured Patellar Tendons: The patellar tendon attaches the kneecap to the shinbone. When it ruptures, it tears away from one of these connection points. This prevents the patient from straightening his or her leg. The symptoms of a ruptured patellar tendon are pain, swelling, bruising, obvious indentation below the kneecap, kneecap moving from its normal position and difficulty straightening the leg or walking. A ruptured patellar tendon is a major injury. It causes disability and typically requires surgery and extensive physical therapy.
Who can be Held Liable?
In Texas, the plaintiff bears the burden of proving that the defendant breached a duty of care, that the breach proximately caused the accident, and that the accident caused him or her to suffer harms and losses.
If the at-fault party has auto insurance, you can file a claim against the insurance carrier to help cover the damages you and your family suffered. However, if the at-fault party is uninsured or his or her policy does not fully cover the cost of the accident, accountability is still available.
Texas law allows accident victims to pursue a personal injury claim to obtain compensation for the full extent of their injuries and property damage from the negligent party.
Now is the Time to Take Action by Contacting an Attorney
If you or a loved one suffered a serious knee injury from a car accident caused by the carelessness of another motorist, take action and contact the skilled and experienced Houston personal injury lawyers at Fleming Law today 737-201-0543.
