Motorcycle Accident Knee Injury and Torn Meniscus Attorneys in Los Angeles, CA
According to a report issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), injuries of the lower extremities are considered to be the most common type of bodily injury suffered in a motorcycle accident. The term “lower extremities” includes a motorcyclist’s knees.
Unfortunately, the NHTSA report indicated that knee injuries are among the top-3 most commonly reported lower extremity injuries in motorcycle wrecks. Knee injuries are painful and can be life-altering. If you suffered a serious knee injury in a motorcycle accident, it is extremely important to contact an experienced Los Angeles motorcycle accident knee injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Type of Knee Injury After a Motorcycle Crash
There is an array of different knee injuries that can be suffered in a motorcycle accident, including posterior and anterior cruciate ligament tears, knee fractures, torn tendons, etc. Below is an overview of some of the most common types of knee injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash.
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Fractured Knee
One of the most common injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident is a knee fracture. When a fracture occurs, your knee swells and the pain of bearing weight will be extremely difficult or even impossible.
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Tendon Injuries
The tendon that crosses the front of the knee and holds the kneecap in place is the patellar tendon. With this tendon is torn or ruptured, you will be unable to fully straighten your knee.
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Meniscus Tear
Your knee has both medial and lateral meniscus that form a C-wedge shape between the femur and tibia. The meniscus basically serves as proverbial shock absorbers for your knees. When you suffer a meniscus tear, your body weight is not evenly distributed on the tibia and femur which will cause a tremendous amount of pain and discomfort.
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Dislocated Knee
Knee dislocations are a common type of knee injury. When you dislocate your knee, the kneecap effectively “slips” out of its usual place and the joint deform. This causes intense pain and discomfort. Your normal range of motion will become virtually impossible due to both pain and the malformation of the joint.
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Ligament Injuries
Data from NHTSA indicates that close to 20 percent of leg injuries in motorcycle accidents involve some form of a ligament tear or other injury. When a ligament tear occurs, you may hear a popping sound or you feel the sensation of your knee popping out of place. As with most serious knee injuries, a ligament injury will result in swelling and intense, excruciating pain. In severe ligament injuries, the nerves may be torn as well.
What Steps to Take if You Get a Knee Injury in an Accident?
You were seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. Now what? Whether you were involved in a rear-end motorcycle accident, head-on crash, sideswipe collision, or any other accident where you suffered a reckless driver motorcycle injury, specific actions need to be taken to protect your legal rights.
Generally, you should try to take these steps in the aftermath of your motorcycle crash:
- Get immediate medical treatment – Do not neglect your physical well-being. You need to see your doctor after a motorcycle accident, even if you think you are “fine.” Seeking immediate medical treatment is extremely important because some injuries may not fully appear until hours or days after the crash.
- Save all relevant documents and financial records – After a motorcycle accident, it is important to retain copies of relevant medical records, prescription medication receipts, wage statements reflecting the income you lost due to missing time from work, and so forth. These documents and financial records will become extremely important when you hire a motorcycle accident knee injury lawyer in Los Angeles to file a personal injury claim on your behalf. These documents can be used as evidence to highlight your harms and losses.
- Contact your insurance company to report the accident – You are required to report an accident to your insurance company. However, it is important to note that you do not have to provide any information about your physical injuries. You only need to advise the insurance company that the accident took place. If you are asked questions about your bodily injuries, or they ask you to provide a recorded statement, you should refer them to your Los Angeles motorcycle accident knee injury attorney.
- Contact knee injury lawyers to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation – If you were badly injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the reckless or irresponsible actions of another motorist, you may be able to pursue financial restitution for your harms and losses. When you retain the services of an experienced motorcycle accident knee injury attorney in Los Angeles, they can go to work on your behalf in an effort to seek compensatory damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other harms and losses.
What Are The Consequences of Knee Injuries?
If you suffer a knee injury in a motorcycle accident, the consequences can be severe. A bad knee injury can take months or even years to fully recover. There are even some instances where a severe knee injury can leave a victim with a lifetime of discomfort and pain.
If you are experiencing intense knee pain in the wake of a serious motorcycle crash, you should consider contacting a respected motorcycle accident law firm in Los Angeles to discuss your legal options.
Motorcycle Accident Knee Injury Lawyers Protecting Your Rights
Suffering a serious knee injury in a motorcycle accident can be debilitating for the victim. In the blink of an eye, you could suddenly become incapacitated (even if only for a few weeks or months) and unable to work, unable to support your family, and confronting the prospect of multiple surgeries and physical therapy. If you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious about the future, one of the best actions you can take is contacting an experienced and knowledgeable motorcycle accident knee injury attorney.
When you retain the services of a skilled motorcycle accident knee injury lawyer, they will take much of the burden and stress off your shoulders by reaching out to the other motorist’s insurance company, negotiating on your behalf in an effort to secure a reasonable settlement, and doing all they can to secure maximum compensation for your harms and losses. Contact our motorcycle accident law firm today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.