Vehicle accidents can be terrifying, and it's our hope that you never find yourself in one. Yet, if you do experience injuries from a car accident, it's crucial to know your rights. You are entitled to seek compensation for significant harm. It's important to be aware of potential injuries from a car accident, including conditions like arthritis. Arthritis, characterized by joint inflammation in areas such as the hands, wrists, or knees, generally progresses with age and is often linked to elderly individuals through visible signs like cysts. However, younger individuals can also develop arthritis due to severe physical trauma, such as that from a serious car crash.

Typically, personal injury claims arise from immediate injuries like fractures or concussions. Insurance firms categorize injuries as "hard" for external ones like lacerations and broken bones, whereas "soft" injuries, which develop over time and are less noticeable, like a hip or leg injury leading to joint inflammation, are considered differently. In the majority of personal injury cases, you initiate a claim at the time of sustaining an injury. However, the process of filing a claim for post-traumatic arthritis may not occur until several years after your injury. The delay can lead to legal complexities in securing compensation for your injury.

The occurrence of arthritis following a car accident is a real concern, with medical professionals cautioning that untreated joint damage can evolve into post-traumatic arthritis. If you're experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic arthritis or if a pre-existing arthritis condition has worsened after an accident, you may be eligible for compensation covering medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The skilled car accident attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick are ready to support you and address any questions that you may have. Hiring the services of a personal injury attorney increases your chances of achieving a favorable outcome.

What Is Post-Traumatic Arthritis?

Post-traumatic arthritis (PTA) results from cartilage damage in the joints following a traumatic event, leading to inflammation. Unlike other arthritis types that emerge from prolonged wear and tear, this form develops quickly after an injury. This condition accounts for approximately 12% of osteoarthritis cases and contributes to some instances of chronic inflammatory arthritis. It can limit mobility, lead to persistent pain, and potentially spur the growth of bone spurs.

Typically, PTA affects the ankles, knees, hips, and elbows the most. Various injuries, such as fractures, sprains, strains, ligament tears, and joint dislocations, can lead to the onset of PTA.

Often, this condition is temporary, with many individuals seeing improvement within months. However, post-traumatic arthritis can sometimes persist, evolving into a chronic condition. While rare, surgery may be necessary for severe cases that significantly impair quality of life. For most, managing post-traumatic arthritis involves lifestyle adjustments and physical activity, typically integrated into the recovery process from the initial injury.

What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Arthritis?

Common manifestations of post-traumatic arthritis (PTA) may appear long after the initial injury and include the following:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Tenderness or sensitivity to touch

These symptoms can cause significant discomfort or make it difficult to carry out daily tasks, consequently reducing your overall quality of life.

Why Would a Car Accident Cause Arthritis?

According to most or many medical professionals, certain car accident scenarios could, indeed, cause symptoms of arthritis. How can this be? Well, depending on the accident, whether you were behind the wheel or a passenger, experiencing a rapid movement in a sitting position could have an adverse impact on your ankle joints or knee joints. 

When your cartilage is broken down, it can lead to very severe pain. Bones rubbing against each other would be considered to have the same damaging effect as arthritis in the traditional sense, or could lead to a real diagnosis of arthritis over time. 

You might have arthritis from a car accident if a doctor diagnoses you or if you experience any of the following:

• Traumatic Injuries: Car accidents can cause traumatic injuries to joints, such as fractures, dislocations, or ligament tears.
  
• Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis: Post-traumatic osteoarthritis is the accelerated wear and tear of the cartilage as a result of traumatic injuries. This form of arthritis can develop in the injured joint, causing pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.
  
• Inflammation: Chronic inflammation can further damage the joints and increase the risk of developing various types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis.
  
• Prolonged Immobility: After a car accident, individuals might experience prolonged immobility or reduced physical activity due to injuries. Lack of movement can lead to joint stiffness and weaken the surrounding muscles, increasing the risk of arthritis.
  
• Joint Instability: Injuries from car accidents can result in joint instability, where the joint doesn’t function as it should. This instability can cause abnormal stress on the joint, leading to arthritis in the affected area.
  
• Development of Scar Tissue: Injuries can cause the formation of scar tissue in and around the joints. Over time, this scar tissue can interfere with joint movement and contribute to the onset of arthritis.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Pennsylvania, it is important that you consult with a car accident attorney right away. For a free consultation with an attorney at Brandon J. Broderick, contact us day or night.

How Do I Prove That a Car Accident Caused My Arthritis?

To establish that your post-traumatic arthritis stems from a negligent driver's actions, it's crucial to seek medical attention immediately following the accident and maintain all records of injuries, particularly those affecting or near joints. This should include any X-rays, CT scans, or MRI results.

Insurance companies may attempt to challenge the claim that your arthritis is accident-related, aiming to reduce their liability. However, your lawyer can counteract these efforts.

Essential to your case are several key medical documents: a medical professional's report or a second opinion confirming the timing and nature of your injuries, crucially demonstrating that your symptoms commenced post-accident. A history of any pre-existing conditions could further underscore the accident's impact on accelerating arthritis onset.

Should the accident worsen an existing joint condition, this could strengthen your personal injury claim. Our experienced car accident attorneys possess the necessary expertise and resources to substantiate that the accident exacerbated a pre-existing injury.

Any statements from a loved one, a neighbor, a roommate, a co-worker, or any individual who is frequently in your presence can corroborate the onset and impact of your symptoms relative to the accident. Compensation hinges on whether these testimonies affirm that the arthritis has notably disrupted your daily life.

Keep in mind that in a trial scenario, these witnesses might be summoned for testimony or depositions.

Your lawyer will also collect testimonies from accident eyewitnesses and consult with experts or emergency responders present at the scene to align with your account, forming the foundation of your case.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer After My PA Car Accident?

Obtaining compensation for post-traumatic arthritis (PTA) can be challenging, especially if there's a delayed diagnosis. Insurance companies might argue that there's no proof their insured's conduct led to your PTA. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney will make sure that insurance defense lawyers treat your case fairly and take it seriously.

A seasoned personal injury lawyer is familiar with the strategies insurance companies employ to dodge claim responsibilities, such as denying the link between your accident and your PTA or blaming you for the incident.

Such an attorney has connections with various experts who can scrutinize the accident details, conduct witness interviews, and offer medical insights. These insights are vital in negotiations or court, highlighting the extent of your non-economic losses, like pain and suffering, caused by PTA.

Should your PTA affect your ability to work, whether it's taking time off, reducing hours, or needing lighter duties, your attorney will strive to secure compensation for lost income, medical expenses, and any necessary rehabilitation.

A proficient PA car accident attorney will guide you through the necessary accident documentation and medical records crucial for a strong personal injury claim.

The PA Car Accident Attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick Can Provide You With the Assistance That You Need

Experiencing a car accident can understandably lead to concerns about your future, compounded by physical injuries and the financial burden of lost wages and medical expenses. The team at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, in Pennsylvania, is here to alleviate your worries. Our commitment is to provide compassionate and exceptional legal support to ensure the success of your case, which positions us among Pennsylvania's top car accident law firms.

Our team of attorneys possesses extensive expertise spanning several decades and will utilize all available resources to ensure that you receive a favorable outcome. We have provided assistance to other clients who have faced comparable difficulties following an accident, aiding them in attaining success and moving forward.

For a review of your legal options without any commitment to us, contact us today. We're happy to offer a complimentary consultation.