Knee Injuries from Accidents

As the largest joint in your body, the knee is critical to your ability to walk, lift, participate in exercise and sport, and live a normal life. 

Any injury to your knees can result in extreme pain, reduced function, and can have knock on effects which impact your entire life.

That’s to say nothing of the financial burden such an injury can bring with it. Medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages can stack up as you’re focused on your recovery.

Without someone on your side, all of these troubles can coalesce into a seriously life-altering event.

Fortunately, with some help from the right personal injury attorney, you can be compensated for your knee injury.

Accidents That Cause Knee Injuries

There is no shortage of ways to injure your knees. Everything from automobile to sporting accidents have the potential to result in a knee injury.

In the event that you suffer a knee injury which another party (such as an individual, property owner, or business) may be liable for, you are entitled to compensation for damages caused by the accident. 

While there are a virtually endless variety of circumstances which might result in such an injury, here are some of the most common types of knee injuries which result in a successful personal injury claim.

Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents are all common sources of knee injuries and frequently the subject of personal injury claims.

In many such vehicular accidents, liability can be clearly demonstrated. For example, if you suffered a knee injury from a car accident in which another driver was demonstrably “at fault,” you are entitled to compensation for damages resulting from your knee injury.

Slip and Fall

Slip and fall accidents are a common source of knee injuries.

When a slip and fall occurs, it is possible that the person(s) responsible for the property where the accident occured may be liable for damages incurred as a result of the accident.

If it can be shown that the person(s) responsible for the property were negligent in their duty of care to maintain safe conditions for visitors of the property, those person(s) may be held liable.

This could include neglecting a duty such as clearing away water or ice from a walkway, failing to provide adequate lighting, failing to remove obstacles or hazards, failing to maintain stairs or decks, or any other negligence which can be shown to have contributed to the accident.

Sports Accidents

Sports accidents can often result in knee injuries. 

Full contact sports such as football, basketball, hockey, and soccer are a frequent source of knee injuries.

High speed sports like motorbiking, ATV riding, cycling, and skiing can also frequently result in knee injuries. Sports like gymnastics, rock climbing, and running also produce many knee injuries.

Work Related Accidents

Certain professions such as construction, transportation, and shipping (among many others) can produce high rates of knee injuries.

Employers have a duty to provide their employees with property safety equipment and safe working conditions. If you suffered a knee injury as part of a work related injury, you may be entitled to compensation.

Dog Bites

Dog bites can cause serious injury to any part of the body, including the knee. 

Dog owners can be held liable for the actions of their animals. If you suffered a knee injury due to a dog bite, it is worth looking into filing a personal injury claim.

Common Types of Knee Injuries From Accidents

There are a wide variety of conditions which can affect the knees, however the majority of knee injuries result in one of the following conditions:

• Fracture to the kneecap (fractured patella)
• Knee soft tissue injuries 
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear
• Medial cruciate ligament (MCL) tear
• Quadriceps tendon tear
• Torn meniscus (an injury sustained on the cartilage of the knee)

Liability for Knee Injuries from Accidents

If you suffered a knee injury which involved a third party who behaved negligently or maliciously in such a way that contributed to your accident, that party may be held liable for the damages incurred as the result of your injury.

Liability must be determined on a case by case basis.

Typically, in a personal injury claim, the goal is to prove that the other party behaved negligently — that is, they failed to perform some duty which they could reasonably be expected to perform which could have mitigated or avoided the accident.

If it can be proven that the other party contributed or or caused the accident, they can be held liable for any apparent and calculable damages which resulted from the accident — i.e.medical expenses, lost wages, damages to personal property, etc.

Some examples of negligence resulting in liability include:

• A speeding driver is considered to have acted negligently in disobeying the speed limit. If they are involved in an accident which injures another motorist, they can be shown to have neglected their duty to drive safely on the roadways.
• A competitor who disregards sports safety rules in a sporting competition may be held liable if their negligence causes an injury to another competitor.

Suffered a knee injury from an accident? Consult with the legal experts at Diamond & Diamond to assess the potential of your personal injury claim.

Contact Diamond & Diamond Knee Injury Lawyers

Ready to get the compensation you deserve?

Diamond & Diamond’s expert lawyers have extensive experience handling personal injury cases of all descriptions — including knee injuries.

Stop by any of our locations across Canada or use our 1-800 number to schedule your free consultation.

Prefer to do things digitally? Drop us a line via the contact form on our website and we’ll be in your inbox with a reply before you know it.

PRO TIP:

“It’s always wise to schedule a visit to your doctor ahead of time to obtain medical documentation of your injury. Explain to your doctor that you’re filing a personal injury claim and ask your doctor to provide a letter describing your knee injury to the court.”

Knee Injuries From Accidents FAQs

I suffered an accident which aggravated a pre-existing knee condition. Can I still file a knee injury claim?

Yes. If it can be demonstrated that the accident caused additional damage and that you are suffering pain and symptoms which you were not experiencing prior to the accident, you may have a valid personal injury claim.

Are knee injuries common among car drivers?

Knee injuries can often result from car accidents.

What do I do if my doctor misdiagnosed my knee injury?

If you suspect your doctor has misdiagnosed you, seek additional medical opinions from other doctors and advise your personal injury attorney as to the details of the situation.