Knee Injury Lawyer in San Antonio, TX

knee injury

Did you recently suffer a knee injury in a San Antonio accident? Are you struggling financially as the medical bills pile up while you cannot work? You deserve trusted guidance from a knowledgeable car accident lawyer. A knowledgeable attorney can help you move forward after an accident and pursue the compensation you need for your medical expenses and lost income.

At Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover, our team provides legal representation to accident victims in the San Antonio area. Our founding attorney, Troy Brookover, has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injury victims like you. Every accident injury case has unique factors to consider. To explore your legal options after a knee injury, contact us for your free initial case review.

Introduction to Knee Injuries

Knee injuries are among the most common car accident injuries, accounting for roughly one in 10 crash injuries yearly. The following statistics show how widespread knee injuries are in crashes in the U.S.:

  • Most knee injuries occur in frontal collision accidents.
  • Most car accident knee injuries are relatively minor, resulting in bruises, abrasions, and lacerations.
  • Most knee fractures occur when there are relatively small differences between the vehicles’ speeds.
  • Serious, non-fracture knee injuries, such as ligament tears, account for approximately 2 percent of car accident knee injuries.
  • The seatbelt usage rate is lower among vehicle occupants who suffer knee injuries.
  • Car accidents are the most common cause of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries in the U.S., contributing to 45 percent of yearly PCL injuries.
  • Twenty-eight percent of crash-related PCL injuries occur in motorcycle accidents.
  • The most common cause of PCL injuries in wrecks is dashboard impacts.
  • The most common mechanism of lower limb injuries in frontal-impact car accidents is the knee striking the dashboard.
  • In frontal intrusion accidents, 87 percent of moderate to severe knee and upper leg injuries involve contact with instrument panels or knee bolsters.
  • Recent studies suggest that knee airbags do not significantly reduce injury risk.
  • Prior knee injuries, including knee injuries from wrecks, are associated with a higher risk of new knee injuries in the future.

Common Knee Injuries in Car Accidents

The knees are vulnerable to all kinds of injuries, including:

  • Knee contusions – A knee contusion is a bruise on the knee. Knee contusions often occur in accidents when occupants bang their knees against instrument panels or dashboards. Some knee contusions lead to deep bruising, resulting in pain, swelling, and discoloration.
  • Knee sprains – A knee sprain occurs when one or more of the ligaments in the knee gets stretched or torn. Knee sprains commonly occur when vehicle occupants suffer sudden twisting or blunt-force impacts to their knees. Common knee sprain symptoms include pain, swelling, and instability.
  • Meniscus tears – The meniscus is a layer of cartilage that cushions the knee joint and acts like a shock absorber between the upper and lower leg bones. A car accident can lead to a meniscus tear when violent twisting or blunt-force trauma damages the meniscus, leading to pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
  • ACL tears – The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a ligament that attaches the thigh bone to the shin bone. ACL tears occur in accidents when vehicle occupants’ knees undergo unnatural twisting or bending. Symptoms of ACL tears often include pain, swelling, and instability in the knee.
  • PCL tears – The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is a ligament that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone on the back side of the knee. PCL tears commonly occur in accidents when blunt-force trauma causes the knee to bend backward. This injury can lead to severe pain, inflammation, and difficulty walking on the knee.
  • Patellar fractures – A patellar fracture is a broken kneecap. Patellar fractures often occur because of direct impacts on the knee in car accidents, such as when the knee hits the dashboard or steering column upon impact. Patellar fractures are debilitating injuries that can impair mobility for weeks or months.

Treatment for Your Knee Injury After an Accident

Seeking appropriate medical treatment is one of the most important steps you can take to recover from a knee injury. Proper care allows your body to heal more quickly.

When you seek medical care after an accident, your doctor will record your diagnosis and the details of your treatment in your medical records. Your medical records will prove the injuries you suffered and the steps you took to recover.

Without the evidence provided by your medical records, an insurance company might question the severity of your injuries. That’s why it’s so important to follow your doctor’s care plan and keep copies of your medical records for any knee injury treatments your doctor orders, such as:

  • Prescription medication – Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or prescription drugs to ease knee pain or other symptoms.
  • Injections – If other medications don’t relieve your knee pain, your doctor might prescribe corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.
  • Physical therapy – Your doctor might also prescribe physical therapy, which can improve your knee’s range of motion, strength, and flexibility. A physical therapist can help you learn exercises and other techniques to improve pain and mobility.
  • Knee bracing – If you suffer an injury to a ligament or tendon in your knee, your doctor might prescribe a knee brace to ensure your knee has the support and stability to stand and walk without further injury.
  • Surgery – Surgery might be in order if you have a knee ligament tear that is severe. This could include procedures like arthroscopic surgery for tissue repair or even knee replacement surgery.
  • Rest – In many cases, the best medicine for a knee injury is rest. Your doctor might have you stay off your feet and apply ice to your knee to reduce swelling and pain. This could mean taking time off from work to heal.

Seeking Compensation for Knee Injuries

When you file a knee injury claim with the help of a San Antonio injury lawyer, you can seek compensation for the following types of crash-related losses:

  • Medical expenses – Past, present, and future medical expenses you incur due to your knee injury, including the costs of hospital stays, doctor’s office visits, physical therapies, medications, and mobility devices
  • Out-of-pocket costs – Incidental expenses you incur as a result of your knee injury, such as the costs of traveling to medical appointments or hiring in-home housekeeping or healthcare services
  • Lost income – Lost income from any time you miss work while you are recovering from your knee injury
  • Lost earning capacity – Losses in your lifetime earning capacity due to severe knee injuries that permanently affect your ability to work
  • Subjective losses – Personal, non-financial losses, such as the pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life as a result of your knee injury
  • Property damage costs – The costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle in the accident that caused your knee injury

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help Me After a Knee Injury?

Filing a personal injury claim and dealing with insurance companies can be intimidating, especially if you are seriously injured and struggling to recover. You shouldn’t go through the claims process alone. You can work with an experienced personal injury attorney. Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover can assist you by:

  • Providing a free consultation to listen to your story and evaluate your case
  • Explaining your legal options
  • Conducting an independent investigation into the car accident that hurt you
  • Interviewing witnesses who saw the crash to obtain helpful statements
  • Identifying potentially liable parties
  • Identifying applicable insurance policies and possible sources of compensation for your knee injury claim
  • Calculating the value of your knee injury claim
  • Communicating with insurance providers and other parties
  • Dealing with paperwork and preparing an error-free injury claim on your behalf
  • Filing your injury claim and negotiating aggressively with the insurance company
  • Managing case documents and deadlines on your behalf
  • Taking your case to court and representing you at trial when necessary

Speak to a Board-Certified Personal Injury Lawyer in San Antonio, TX

If you need help from a San Antonio personal injury lawyer after a knee injury, Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover can help. Call us at (210) 941-1515 or fill out our online contact form for your free consultation session. Let us show you why our clients consistently leave us outstanding customer reviews for our services.