Car accidents are on the rise in Georgia as well as the rest of the nation. Reports indicate that there were over 330,000 accidents in Georgia during the last year for which information is available. Almost 125,000 people were injured as a result of those crashes. While those injuries varied in nature and severity, many accident victims sustained knee injuries. Those may sound minor to people who are simply reading about them. For the victims, though, they're not quite so inconsequential.

What to Do After a Knee Injury

If you've sustained a knee injury from a car crash, don't ignore the situation hoping it'll resolve itself. In many instances, these injuries are worse than people initially think. They don't always heal on their own, either. Sometimes, the injuries lead to missed time from work, mounting medical expenses, and ongoing pain, to name a few possibilities. As such, it's important to take certain steps after an accident to minimize the possible consequences of a knee injury.

Seek Immediate Medical Care

Even if you're not experiencing serious knee pain after an accident, seek medical care as soon as possible. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Pain doesn't always present itself immediately after an injury. At the same time, minimal pain can be misleading when it comes to the severity of an injury. Knees are among the most complex joints in the body, and they're responsible for carrying much of people's body weight. Injuries can render people immobile and greatly detract from their quality of life.

Several types of knee injuries can stem from car crashes. Those include fractures, torn ligaments and tendons, and damaged cartilage. Some of the symptoms of knee injuries are pain and weakness in the affected joint, bruising, swelling, and an inability to place weight on the joint. Depending on the type of injury, you may have scrapes or lacerations as well. Infections can develop in knee injuries, further complicating the situation.

Contact an Attorney

Once you have an idea of the extent of a knee injury, consider contacting an attorney. You may need follow-up treatments, such as physical therapy or surgery. Even minor injuries may require additional treatments. You're likely to miss at least a few days from work as well.

All those issues are bound to lead to unexpected expenses. An attorney can help ensure you receive compensation for injuries and other resulting expenses. He or she can be an immeasurably valuable ally if your insurance company or that of the other party involved tries to deny any claims related to the accident.

Follow Through with Additional Treatments

Beyond receiving immediate medical attention and contacting an attorney, following through with any additional medical care your doctor recommends is essential. Emergency treatments are only the beginning of the process. Follow-up care keeps you on the road to recovery and reduces the risk of complications. Ignoring those measures could impede your recovery or potentially bring about the need for more extensive treatments in the future.

Handling Knee Injuries Caused by Accidents

Knee injuries due to vehicle accidents are common and can be particularly debilitating if they're not treated promptly. Many people ignore a knee injury thinking it will get better without intervention, but an injury will often grow worse instead. Seek immediate medical care after an accident. From there, contact an attorney, and be sure to follow through with any additional treatments that may be necessary. All these measures can make for a more complete and well-rounded recovery.