A knee injury can affect your ability to walk, drive, work, exercise, and even climb a flight of stairs. If you hurt your knee in an accident that wasn’t your fault, a Cartersville personal injury lawyer can help you file a claim.
You shouldn’t have to pay for an injury caused by someone else’s negligence. A knee injury lawyer in Cartersville from Van Sant Law can help collect evidence that supports your case and pursue the compensation you are entitled to.
What Can a Cartersville Knee Injury Lawyer Do for Me?
Building a knee injury claim requires more than just filling out paperwork.
A Cartersville knee injury lawyer can assist with your claim by:
- Investigating your accident: A lawyer can look into your injury and collect evidence to strengthen your claim.
- Calculating your losses: A lawyer can assess both your short-term and long-term damages and determine the value of your claim.
- Handling insurance negotiations: A lawyer can communicate with insurers on your behalf and push back against low settlement offers.
- Filing a lawsuit: If negotiations fail, a lawyer can help you file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
Common Causes of Knee Injuries
Knee injuries can happen in virtually any situation where excessive force, twisting, or blunt impact affects the joint.
Common causes of these injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Sports incidents
Types of Knee Injuries
Some of the most commonplace knee injuries include:
- ACL tears: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) helps stabilize the knee. Tears often require reconstructive surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
- MCL injuries: Damage to the medial collateral ligament frequently occurs after the knee experiences a forceful sideways impact.
- PCL tears: The posterior cruciate ligament may tear during car accidents when the knee strikes the dashboard.
- Meniscus tears: The meniscus cushions the knee joint. Torn cartilage can cause pain, swelling, locking, and reduced mobility.
- Patellar fractures: A fractured kneecap may result from a direct blow during a fall or car crash.
- Dislocated kneecap: A kneecap that shifts out of position can damage surrounding ligaments and cartilage.
- Tendon injuries: Torn or ruptured tendons can significantly limit your ability to straighten or support your leg.
- Cartilage damage: Cartilage injuries may accelerate arthritis and create chronic pain.
- Bone fractures: The femur, tibia, or fibula can fracture near the knee joint during severe accidents.
Symptoms of Knee Injuries
You may have suffered a knee injury if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Persistent knee pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Stiffness
- Instability
- Popping or clicking sounds
- Inability to fully straighten or bend the knee
- Difficulty bearing weight
- Locking of the joint
- Visible deformity
- Redness or warmth around the knee
What Types of Damages Are Available?
Depending on the circumstances of your knee injury, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses: You can recover compensation for emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
- Lost wages: You can recover income you would’ve earned while recovering from your injury.
- Reduced earning capacity: If your injury limits your ability to perform your previous job or earn the same income, you can seek compensation for future losses.
- Pain and suffering: You can recover damages for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injury.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injury prevents you from participating in activities you once enjoyed, you may be entitled to additional compensation.
- Permanent disability or impairment: Lasting mobility limitations or permanent knee damage may increase the compensation available to you.
- Scarring or disfigurement: Surgical scars or permanent physical changes may also be considered when calculating your damages.
- Punitive damages: In rare cases involving particularly reckless or intentional misconduct from the at-fault party, punitive damages may be awarded.
What Is the Deadline to File a Claim in Georgia?
Georgia law generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you don’t file within this window, you will likely forfeit the right to recover damages.
Different deadlines may apply in cases involving government entities or injuries that aren’t discovered right away. Since every situation is different, it’s important to contact a knee injury attorney in Cartersville as soon as possible after your injury.
Steps to Take After a Knee Injury in Cartersville
Everything you do after an accident matters.
Be sure to:
- Photograph your injuries and the accident scene (if you are able).
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations.
- Report the accident to the appropriate party.
- Trade contact information with witnesses.
- Keep copies of your medical records and bills.
- Document how your injury affects your daily activities.
- Talk to a personal injury attorney before accepting a settlement offer.
Get Help from a Knee Injury Attorney in Cartersville
After a serious injury, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. A Cartersville knee injury attorney from Van Sant Law can help with every aspect of your claim and pursue a fair settlement so you can focus on healing.
Schedule a free consultation to take the first step toward justice.
