Let us say that you are the front-seat passenger in a car that is rear-ended while stopped at an intersection. The impact causes your knees to slam into the dashboard.
The impact was painful, but you assume that your knees will feel better in the next day or two. Unfortunately, the discomfort does not diminish. What could be wrong?
Low-impact injuries
The vehicle that struck the one in which you were riding may have been going only five miles per hour or fewer, but that is enough speed to cause a strong impact. The body is not designed to absorb such a jolt without injuries, and injuries are the primary cause of knee problems. That blow against the dashboard may have resulted in injuries that were not immediately recognizable. If you are still experiencing soreness, or if you have other symptoms such as numbness, weakness or a tingling sensation in your lower extremities, be aware that there could be a lot going on. For example, there could be damage to the nerves or blood vessels. A meniscus tear could have occurred, or a tear in the medial collateral ligament, or MCL, which is the area of the knee most often damaged.
Seeing a doctor
Fortunately, your knee issues are probably not associated with any kind of fracture or dislocation because your symptoms would be more severe. However, an injury to the ligaments or tendons is serious enough that treatment could include bracing, physical therapy or even surgery. You should see a doctor promptly to obtain a diagnosis and begin the recommended treatment. In addition, the doctor will write a report about your injuries that links them to the rear-end collision.
Covering your costs
As the victim of a vehicle crash, you deserve coverage for your medical expenses, lost wages and more. Do not hesitate to explore your legal options. You can rely on the experience of an advocate who will use all the facts about the accident and that medical report from your doctor to negotiate full and fair compensation on your behalf. An injury to knee ligaments or tendons is not something that you would normally associate with a car crash, but it happens. The good news is that you can make a full recovery.
