Car crash victims may not experience injury symptoms for weeks or even months after a collision. For example, if you suffered a joint injury, you might not experience any arthritis symptoms for several months.

If you sustained post-traumatic arthritis as the result of your crash, you may be able to include it in your claim for compensation. However, you should hire a Minneapolis auto accident lawyer to help you connect these damages to the collision that caused your injuries. You will need strong evidence to prove the onset of delayed symptoms, and the experienced lawyers at TSR Injury Law know what evidence is needed and how to get it.

We know you may be concerned about the cost of hiring a lawyer, given you may already have medical bills from your injury. However, our firm works on contingency, so there are no upfront costs.

TSR Injury Law. More than $1 billion recovered. Call (612) TSR-TIME.

What Is Post-Traumatic Arthritis?

Most people associate arthritis with overuse of a joint, such as from working in a physically demanding job.

However, arthritis often develops after an injury to one of the body’s joints. Joints that are typically more prone to arthritis include:

These injuries affect not only the bones but also the soft tissue (muscles, ligaments, tendons and cartilage). When cartilage suffers damage from an injury, it starts to deteriorate. Over time, this can lead to arthritis, which can prevent the joint from functioning properly. However, it may take weeks, months or even longer for post-traumatic arthritis to develop.

How Can a Car Crash Cause Post-Traumatic Arthritis?

Many car crash joint injuries are the result of blunt force trauma. For example, if you hit your knee on the dashboard, you could suffer a serious knee injury. While broken bones can heal, this injury may be the onset to post-traumatic arthritis.

A side-impact collision could cause an injury to your elbow or shoulder, as car doors are not built to withstand the impact of a crash.

In addition, people often tense up when a crash occurs. For instance, they may tightly grip the steering wheel, which can increase the chances of causing a serious injury to one or both of their wrists.

During a collision, your legs could get stuck under the dashboard. The impact could force or twist them into a direction they are not supposed to go. This awkward movement could damage the soft tissue supporting one or more joints.

Joint injuries often cause people to make irregular body movements to accommodate pain and limited mobility. Over time, this type of physical compensation can cause further deterioration of the surrounding bone and cartilage, which could eventually cause arthritis.

How Does Post-Traumatic Arthritis Affect You?

If you suffered a joint injury, you should watch for these post-traumatic arthritis symptoms:

Arthritis can make simple, everyday activities incredibly painful. It may also limit your physical activity, including the ability to play with your children or participate in sports or other leisure activities. Some jobs can be much more difficult to do because of the pain and discomfort from arthritis.

What Is a Post-Traumatic Arthritis Claim Worth?

If you develop arthritis from a car crash injury, you may be able to seek compensation for the cost of medical treatment. For example, you may need prescription medication to help manage the pain and discomfort from your injury. You may also need physical therapy and rehabilitation to help regain strength and mobility in the affected joint.

If post-traumatic arthritis affects your ability to work, the lawyers at TSR Injury Law may be able to get you compensated for wage loss.

Additionally, you may be able to seek certain non-economic forms of compensation, such as:

Connecting Post-Traumatic Arthritis to a Car Crash

One of the challenges of seeking compensation for arthritis caused by a crash is connecting arthritis to the injury. Arthritis often develops later so you will need strong evidence connecting post-traumatic arthritis to your collision.

It is critical that you seek treatment right away and continue going to the doctor as recommended. When you notice symptoms of arthritis, report them right away. Make sure to explain how arthritis affects your daily life and the level of pain you experience each day.

You should also ask your lawyer for advice on what you need to do to help document your damages. Your lawyer can bring in a medical expert to explain how arthritis developed and how it is likely to affect you in the future.

What if A Crash Aggravated Existing Arthritis?

Car crash injuries could aggravate existing injuries and symptoms, like arthritis. If your arthritis gets worse after the crash, explain to your doctor in detail how your symptoms have escalated. An experienced lawyer will know how to determine if you can include aggravation of arthritis in your claim for compensation.

Call TSR Injury Law Today To Discuss Your Crash

Post-traumatic arthritis can negatively impact your quality of life after a car crash and long-term pain can make it difficult to work and take part in the activities you took part in before.

At TSR Injury Law, we understand the many effects of motor vehicle crashes, as we have been helping injured victims for decades. We have secured millions for those injured in collisions caused by the negligence of others.

You can review our case results page to learn more about the results we have obtained. Check out some of the five-star reviews our clients have left us on our testimonials page.

Free legal consultation. No upfront fees. Phone: (612) TSR-TIME.