In 2018, there were 32,383 car accidents in the state of Indiana that resulted in non-fatal injuries. Many of the individuals involved in those accidents received injuries to their knees or elsewhere in their legs.
The severity of injuries to this part of the body can vary significantly from case to case. Some are relatively minor and can be easily treated by a family physician or a physical therapist. Others, however, may require surgery and months or years of recovery time.
Common Types of Leg and Knee Injuries Sustained in Indiana Car Accidents
A brief list of some of the most common injuries sustained in Indiana car accidents would include:
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries
ACL tears are incredibly common in car accidents. If you are unlucky enough to suffer one of these injuries, you will most likely hear a popping sound when it happens. This noise is your ligament tearing away from your kneecap.
Some ACL tears can be treated with around 3 to 6 months of physical therapy. More severe tears often require surgery and approximately 9 to 12 months of rehabilitation.
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injuries
You are likely to sustain an MCL injury if your knee hits a solid object, such as the dashboard, during your accident. These injuries can be quite painful, but can usually be treated without surgery. Some physical therapy is almost always required, however.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injuries
PCL tears are also quite common in car accidents that cause your knee to come into contact with a solid object. When you suffer an injury of this type, you are likely to experience a lot of pain and swelling.
PCL injuries can generally be treated with physical therapy. However, if the pain does not subside within a few months, surgery may be required.
Kneecap Fractures
If you suffer a direct blow to your knee during your car or truck accident, you may fracture your kneecap. The severity of this fracture will depend almost entirely on the force with which your knee was struck.
If your fracture is fairly small, you may just need to rest your leg for a month or two to let it heal. However, if the fracture is more sizeable, you will almost certainly need to undergo surgery. In either case, you are likely to have trouble walking and straightening your leg until you recover.
Femur Fractures
Your femur is the main bone that connects your knee to your hip. Should you sustain a heavy blow to this bone during your accident, it may be fractured – sometimes in more than one location.
The treatment for an injury of this nature almost always involves surgery to insert steel pins into the bone. Once such a surgery has been carried out, you will almost certainly require months or years of physical therapy to regain as much of your mobility as possible.
Amputations
Amputations are one of the most horrific injuries you can sustain in a car or truck accident. However, they generally do not occur during the collision itself. They are instead performed at the hospital in an effort to save your life.
If a portion of your leg is amputated in an accident, you will need a prosthetic to regain your mobility. It can sometimes take months or even years to fully adapt to walking with a prosthetic.
What to Do if You Injure Your Knee or Leg in an Indiana Car Accident
Every car accident is different. However, if you hurt your knee or leg as the result of a motor vehicle collision, you should almost always:
- Seek medical treatment as soon as possible
- Follow the advice of your doctors
- Gather as much evidence (medical records, accident photos, etc.) as possible
- Retain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney to file suit against the responsible party
Following these steps can help you to safeguard your health and your financial future.
Indiana’s Premier Car Accident Attorneys
The lawyers here at Doehrman Buba have been helping the people of Indianapolis recover compensation after car accidents for years. If you would like us to assist you with your knee or leg injury claim, just give us a call or contact us online to set up a free consultation.