In a collision, many drivers’ knees hit the steering wheel, passengers’ knees slam against dashboards and doors, and occupants are ejected or thrown around inside the car from failing to wear their seat belts. In any of the scenarios described above, knee injuries are often the result in Florida car accidents.

Knee injuries are common yet painful injuries, which account for approximately 1.9 million primary care visits and about one million emergency room visits across this nation each year. While not all of these knee injuries occur as a result of car accidents, collisions make up a large part of these statistics.

There are many types of knee injuries a Florida motorist may sustain. One of the most common yet painful and serious knee injuries is an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. Typically, when someone suffers an ACL tear in a Sarasota auto accident, the person can tell immediately that something is seriously wrong. Not only does the knee swell up and become hot and red, but the person is in serious pain.

The anterior cruciate ligament controls the sideways motion of the knee, holds the bones together, and keeps the knee stable. A full ACL tear can bring car accident victims to the ground—unable to walk and bear weight. Typically, an ACL injury will require surgical treatment to reconstruct the torn ligament.

Serious Knee Injuries Deserve Serious Compensation

An ACL tear is a serious injury all on its own because accident victims will require surgery, rest, physical therapy, time off of work, and help taking care of themselves. Often times, other knee injuries such as trauma to the kneecap or other ligaments, tendons, muscles, and bones could occur at the same time. It’s not uncommon for a victim with a torn ACL to also have an MCL tear, torn meniscus, or other knee damage.

Although knee injuries are common, they are still serious injuries. However, insurance companies will try to make you believe that your knee injury is minor in comparison to other injuries. They do this to reduce the amount of money they will have to pay you. However, knee injuries are serious, and they deserve serious attention from the insurance company. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that this will happen without involving a skilled Sarasota personal injury law firm.

A Sarasota accident attorney at Mallard Perez will negotiate with the insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, physical therapy, lost income, and other damages. After suffering an ACL tear due to a negligent driver, call us for a free consultation today at 888-409-3805.