When you suffer knee injuries in a motor vehicle accident or slip and fall, you may be looking at a long and painful recovery period. The knee is a highly complex joint that bears a large portion of your weight, so damage to even one structure can affect your ability to walk, climb stairs, or even stand for extended periods of time. Even after treatment, stiffness, weakness, or instability can persist, making full recovery challenging and long-term issues common.
When someone else caused your injury, you may be able to recover fair compensation for what you've lost. In this guide, we’ll go over how knee injuries happen, the most common types we see at The Champion Firm, and what key factors may affect the size of an average settlement. We’ll also explain how a personal injury lawyer can help you get the result you need to continue medical treatment and protect yourself financially.
How Knee Injuries Happen
Knee injuries happen in accidents where the leg is hit, twisted, or forced to move in an unnatural manner. Many of these injuries result from sudden impact or blunt trauma, which are common outcomes in car accidents, slip and fall incidents, and some work-related activities. In nearly all instances, the injured person is caught off guard and can’t brace or recover in time.
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Traffic collisions can result in knee injuries, especially in head-on crashes where the knees strike the dashboard or center console. Similarly, side-impact collisions can twist the lower body or pin the leg in place. Injuries in these situations include ligament tears, fractures, or deep bruising, all of which can incur high medical expenses.
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Wet floors, broken steps, and icy sidewalks can all cause you to slip and fall on a hard surface. Depending on the angle, your knee may twist awkwardly during the fall or absorb the impact directly. These accidents often result in swelling, joint damage, soft tissue injuries, and other knee trauma.
- Workplace Accidents: Jobs that involve climbing, lifting, or crouching for long periods put extra stress on the knees. Workers in construction, manufacturing, delivery, or agriculture are more likely to fall or strain the knee joint while moving heavy materials or navigating uneven ground.
- Motorcycle and Bicycle Accidents: People on motorcycles or bicycles have little protection during a motor vehicle collision. When you’re thrown from the vehicle, your knees can strike the pavement or other hard surfaces. Outcomes include deep cuts, broken bones, or torn ligaments that need extensive medical care.
- Dog Attacks: When a large dog jumps at or runs into you, it can knock you off balance. As you fall, your knee may twist or hit the ground at a sharp angle. These injuries can lead to chronic pain or weakness in the joint.
Common Types of Knee Injuries
The knee is a weight-bearing joint made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Any one of these parts can be damaged in an accident. Some common knee injuries respond to rest and therapy, while others require surgical intervention or long-term lifestyle changes. What all of them have in common is high medical expenses and, potentially, time away from work.
Types of injuries we regularly see include:
- Torn Ligaments: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) can be injured in auto accidents and sudden falls. When torn, these ligaments cause instability, swelling, and sharp pain. Medical care may involve surgery and structured rehabilitation.
- Meniscus Tears: The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that helps cushion the joint. A tear in this area can cause the knee to catch, lock, or swell. Many people need arthroscopic surgery followed by physical therapy to regain strength and mobility.
- Knee Dislocations: Dislocation occurs when the bones in the joint are forced out of place. These severe injuries are extremely painful and may affect nearby nerves or blood vessels. Treatment normally involves emergency care, bracing, and a slow return to movement.
- Bone Fractures: Breaks in the kneecap or surrounding bones are common after falls or high-impact crashes. These injuries can limit movement and may take weeks or months to heal. In some cases, doctors may need to use pins or plates to help the bone heal correctly.
- Tendon Tears: Tendons connect your muscles to your bones and make it possible for the knee to bend and straighten. When a patellar or quadriceps tendon tears, movement becomes extremely painful. Many tendon injuries require surgery and a brace to protect the area during recovery.
- Knee Bursitis: Bursitis is inflammation of the small fluid sacs that cushion the knee. It can develop after repeated strain or direct impact. The pain worsens with pressure or movement and may require rest, ice, and physical therapy.
- Post-Traumatic Arthritis: Over time, trauma to the knee may lead to arthritis. This can cause stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion. People with this condition may need medication, therapy, or assistive devices to manage daily life.
Average Settlements for Knee Injuries in Georgia
Since every personal injury claim is different, there is no standard average knee injury settlement amount. How much you receive largely depends on the nature and severity of the injury, who was at fault, and the financial losses you suffered as a result. Below is an overview of the common factors the insurance adjuster will review when determining their initial offer:
- Type and Severity of Injury: Minor injuries like bruises and sprains usually heal with rest, while severe injuries like torn ligaments or fractures often need surgery and rehab. In other words, the more severe your injury, the more support may be needed for your recovery.
- Medical Treatment and Recovery: Injuries that involve knee surgery, physical therapy, injections, or extended rest are harder to manage and tend to involve higher medical expenses. With severe knee injuries, treatment can cost thousands of dollars.
- Loss of Income: Many knee injuries make it difficult to stand, lift, or walk. If you missed work or had to reduce your hours, the lost income can be included in your insurance claim. In some cases, the injury may affect future job options or force a change in duties.
- Loss of Quality of Life: Walking, driving, cooking, and playing with kids all require a working knee. Chronic pain during these tasks shows how the injury affects your daily activities. Sleep problems, depression, and missed events can also be used to support a claim for non-economic damages.
- Permanent Disability: Some people never fully recover from a severe knee injury. If your doctor gives you an impairment rating or expects long-term symptoms, this can influence your knee injury settlement. Limits on walking, standing, or physical activity can affect what you’re able to do moving forward.
While the impact on your wellbeing and financial stability are the primary considerations in a knee injury claim, they aren’t the only ones. Others include:
- Percentage of Fault: Georgia uses a modified comparative fault rule. If you're less than 50% responsible for the accident, you may be eligible to recover damages. However, your financial recovery may be reduced by your share of fault. For example, if your claim is valued at $80,000 and you’re found to be 30% at fault, you would receive $56,000 instead.
- Insurance Policy Limits: Insurance providers won’t pay above their policy maximum. If your losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, are higher than the available coverage, your personal injury lawyer may review other options. This can include underinsured motorist coverage or a personal injury lawsuit.
- Strength of the Evidence: You’re more likely to get a fair settlement when you have clear, consistent evidence. Medical documents, photos, witness statements, and accident reports can all support your version of events. The better your records, the harder it is for the insurer to argue that your injuries were pre-existing or not as serious as you claim.
How The Champion Firm Approaches Knee Injury Cases
At The Champion Firm, we have won financial compensation for many clients who suffered knee damage. In one case, we secured a high settlement for a client who slipped in a puddle of water at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and fell, dislocating his knee. We also won $100,000 for a client whose left knee was so badly injured that she needed Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections and surgery.
Here’s a general overview of our approach in these cases:
- Investigating the Accident: Our personal injury attorneys begin with a detailed review of how the injury occurred. This includes police reports, photos, surveillance footage, and witness accounts. Early investigation helps protect evidence while giving us a clearer picture of what happened.
- Reviewing Medical Records: We review your treatment records and speak with your doctors about your injury and recovery. If needed, we’ll consult orthopedic specialists and therapists. Their reports help explain what medical attention you received and what your future may look like.
- Showing the Impact: We gather personal statements, journals, and videos that show how your life has changed since the accident. These details help humanize your case and support your request for damages.
- Preparing the Settlement Demand: We organize everything into a detailed package for the insurance company. This includes a timeline of treatment, medical costs, lost wages, and personal losses. Our goal is to present a clear and well-supported claim.
- Going to Court if Needed: If the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement, we’re prepared to take your case to trial. Our knee injury lawyers build each case as though it may go before a jury. This preparation helps us negotiate from a stronger position, and it’s usually effective.
Talk to The Champion Firm About Your Knee Injury Case
A knee injury can affect your freedom, your comfort, and your ability to work. With permanent injuries, your impairment may last the rest of your life. If someone else is responsible for your accident, we’re here to help.
At The Champion Firm, we’ve handled thousands of personal injury cases in Georgia. Our experienced attorneys are ready to review your situation, explain your legal options, and help you fight for maximum compensation. To schedule a free consultation, call our personal injury law firm at 404-738-7509 or contact us online. Let us help you take the next step.