Southlake Knee Injury Lawyer
You probably have never thought about what miraculous contraptions your knees are. The bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, cartilage, and bursas all interact to allow you to squat, run, and walk. Yet, it is often not until we face the possibility of losing this mobility in an accident that we truly grasp its significance.
When one or both knees suffer trauma, the repercussions could be catastrophic. You could face surgeries, such as knee replacements, and ongoing pain, as well as challenges with balance and stability. When another person is to blame for your knee injury, you have the right to hold them accountable for your physical, financial, and emotional losses. A Southlake knee injury lawyer could help you seek the compensation you deserve, whether through an insurance settlement or by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Types of Knee Injuries
Knee injuries can unfortunately occur in various circumstances, including auto accidents and falls. Some types of knee injuries include:
- Anterior cruciate ligament injuries happen when a person falls on their knees, evidenced by a popping sound
- Meniscus tears involve damage to the cushioning discs within the knee from trauma, leading to locked knees or recurring pain
- Dashboard knee, formally known as posterior cruciate ligament injury, occurs when the ligament connecting the thigh and shin is damaged after a driver’s or passenger’s knees connect with the dashboard during a vehicle collision
- Medial collateral ligament injuries happen when a driver’s or passenger’s knee connects with anything solid inside the vehicle, resulting in damage to a different ligament than in a dashboard knee injury
Some knee injuries are calmed by the sports medicine technique RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. However, other injuries will require physician intervention for surgery or a physical therapy regimen—both of which are expensive and lengthy prospects that a Southlake knee injury attorney could negotiate for or litigate to secure appropriate compensation.
Compensation After a Knee Injury Accident
Plaintiffs who have suffered knee injuries may be awarded both economic and non-economic compensation. Economic damages are for financial losses, whether that be present or future. This may include expenses for medical care associated with the knee injury, wages lost during recovery, and property loss.
Non-economic damages subjectively assign a value to losses that do not come with a price tag, such as the mental anguish of uncertainty regarding the knee’s functionality, recurrent pain, and the impact on marital relations. A Southlake lawyer could discuss the value of a specific knee injury claim during an initial consultation.
Settlements vs. Damages Awards
When knee damage results from an auto accident caused by another motorist, an injury lawyer will send the driver’s insurer a demand letter, opening the negotiation process. However, the largest insurance companies are beholden to shareholders and often offer lowball settlements. While many attorneys negotiate and accept fair settlement offers, they will go to court if a knee injury settlement offer is unsatisfactory.
How Long Does a Person Have to File a Lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for personal injuries is codified in Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003. Plaintiffs are typically granted a two-year window from the occurrence of their knee injury to initiate a civil action seeking compensation. The time limit only varies in rare circumstances, so failing to file will most certainly result in the court dismissing the action.
A Southlake Knee Injury Attorney Works to Get You Compensated
Although accidents are unavoidable in life, they can be frustrating and expensive when you are careful to avoid them, only to have someone else’s actions result in an injury to your knee. You might be laid up and unable to earn your paycheck while the medical bills keep arriving. Such a situation can understandably evoke feelings of distress, including depression and anger.
However, there is hope. Help is available. Our experienced and dedicated attorneys have successful track records convincing insurance companies to deliver fair settlements and juries to award compensation appropriately. If another person’s negligence caused your accident, our Southlake knee injury lawyer is ready to talk to you. Call now.