One of the most common types of personal injuries after a car accident is a joint injury. These injuries can occur due to many different accident scenarios.
In car accidents, the most common joint injuries occur to the knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders. If you were injured, contact our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys for a free consultation.
Side Effects of Joint Injuries
- Soreness
- Swelling
- Fractures
- Sprains
- Dislocations
Common Joint Injuries
- Knee Joint Injuries. When the knee takes a severe, direct blow, such as upon striking the dashboard during a car accident, bones in the lower leg can be displaced, tearing the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). This is considered a major knee injury and can cause abnormal knee motion, which can lead to further degeneration of the joint. Bracing and physical therapy are used to treat these injuries, but in some cases, surgical intervention is necessary.
- Hip Joint Injuries. Severe knee injury like the one mentioned above can also result in injury to the hip. Hip injuries can cause serious long term problems, including mobility problems, and in older people, hip injuries can even be fatal. Hip dislocation not only causes extreme pain but can also result in nerve damage that compromises sensation in the lower leg and feet.
- Elbow Joint Injuries. The physical forces that occur in car accidents can cause injury to the elbow. Elbow injuries may result when a driver knows a collision is imminent and grabs the steering wheel in an attempt to brace himself before impact. Elbow injuries can severely compromise a person’s ability to take care of daily tasks of living and can result in long term damage.
- Shoulder Joint Injuries. The shoulder joints are remarkably complex, and injury to the shoulder is not only very painful but can be very complicated. Rotator cuff injuries must be diagnosed with imaging studies like ultrasound and MRIs, and treatment often requires surgery. Shoulder injuries can prevent a person from working, and from accomplishing daily self-care tasks. Recovery can be prolonged, especially if surgery is required.
Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorneys
If you or your loved one suffers a joint injury, contacting an experienced personal injury attorney like the ones at Kelley/Uustal is a very wise move. Insurance companies are often anxious to settle and usually offer far less than fair compensation for your injury. Personal injury lawyers in Fort Lauderdale like those at Kelley/Uustal know all the tricks insurance companies use and how to accurately calculate the compensation you are entitled to. With reliable, experienced legal help, you can worry about recovering while your legal team deals with the financial implications of your injury.
