Torn Meniscus After A Car Accident

The following symptoms are common indicators of a torn meniscus:

• Knee pain: There's often pain in the knee, especially when rotating or putting pressure on the knee. The location of the pain depends on where the tear is and how severe it is.
• Swelling or stiffness: Swelling usually occurs within the first 24-48 hours after the injury. The knee may also feel stiff and bending it might be difficult.
• Popping sensation: You may experience a popping sensation at the time of the injury. This isn't always present, but it's a common indicator of a meniscus tear.
• Difficulty moving the knee: You might find it hard to move your knee as you usually would, particularly in bending and straightening it.
• Locking or catching: The knee may lock, or you might feel as if it's catching when you move it. This happens because the torn part of the meniscus gets stuck in the knee joint.
• Feeling of instability: There might be a sensation that the knee is giving way or is not able to support your weight as usual.

Treatment for a meniscus tear varies depending on its severity, location, and your overall health and activity level. Here are common treatment approaches:

• Conservative treatment: Initial treatment often involves conservative measures, especially for smaller tears or in patients with low activity demands. This includes rest, ice, compression, elevation, and over-the-counter medications.
• Physical therapy: Rehabilitation exercises can strengthen the muscles around your knee and in your legs to help stabilize and support the knee joint.
• Surgical treatment: Surgery may be recommended in more severe cases. There are typically two surgical options for torn meniscus injuries: meniscectomy (the meniscus is trimmed or removed entirely) and meniscus repair (torn meniscus pieces are stitched together).
• Post-surgical rehabilitation: After surgery is completed, rehabilitation exercises will be crucial in the recovery process to regain knee strength and motion.
• Injection therapy: In some cases, corticosteroid injections might be used to reduce inflammation and pain.

The healing time for a torn meniscus varies. It will generally take a few weeks to a few months for a minor meniscus tear to heal with conservative treatment. However, if you’re highly active, it could take several months to ensure that the knee is strong and stable enough to return to pre-injury levels of activity.

If surgery is required, recovery times can vary. A meniscectomy usually has a quicker recovery time, which ranges from several weeks to a few months. However, a meniscus repair can take about three to six months or more to completely heal.

The factors affecting the healing time of a torn meniscus include:

• The type and severity of the tear.
• The location of the tear.
• Your age and overall health.
• Your level of physical activity.
• The treatment methods you use.

The amount of compensation you’re eligible for depends on the severity of your meniscus tear, the length of time it takes to recover, and how the injury impacts your life. There’s no way to tell how much money you’re eligible for initially. However, an attorney will factor in your:

• Current and future medical expenses.
• Current and future lost wages.
• Pain and suffering.
• Property damage or loss.

To help your attorney determine the value of your claim, be sure to keep all records. That includes medical bills and receipts, pay stubs, vehicle repair estimates, and a journal of pain and suffering.

What if I was partially at fault for my car accident?

If you’re partially at fault for the car accident, liability can also impact your compensation, depending on which state you’re in. The pure comparative negligence rule applies in some states. This allows you to seek compensation, even if you’re 99% at fault. However, your compensation would be reduced by the amount of fault you contributed to a crash.

In other states, the modified comparative negligence rule applies. These states have a threshold of fault that bars you from seeking compensation. This threshold is either 50% or 51% at fault. As long as you’re below that threshold, you can seek compensation, but it would be reduced by your level of fault.

A torn meniscus after a car accident is a serious matter. You can’t afford to have your compensation reduced, delayed, or denied. When you handle your case alone, the insurance companies will do everything in their power to keep their costs down.

That’s why it’s important to get a Law.com Premier Attorney on your side. They’ll protect your rights and advocate for you every step of the way. It won’t cost you anything upfront to hire a Premier Attorney. That’s because they operate on a contingency fee basis and only get paid if they win your case. To get started, contact a Premier Lawyer near you for a free consultation.