by Laila Salaam

Created on: November 29, 2008   Last Updated: February 27, 2012

If you have been involved in an automobile accident, no matter how minor, there is a good possibility that you may have sustained some injuries. The extent injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident will be dependent, of course, on the type accident and the velocity of impact. There is a small possibility that no injury will occur, however if you have been involved in an auto accident, you may not realize or recognize an injury until you a few hours later, after you have calmed down a bit.

The best advice anyone can take in regard to any type of accident, minor or major, is to be checked out by a doctor after the accident. Serious injuries should be handled by emergency medical professionals who will stabilize you and transport you to a hospital emergency room by ambulance. You should never try to drive yourself.

Some very common injuries that a person can suffer in a motor vehicle accident affect the knee, hip, and thigh. You can receive these types of injuries from front-impact, side-impact, and rear-impact accidents, but they are most common in front- and rear-impact collisions. They are also very common in situations where a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle.

Types of knee, hip, and thigh injuries can range from soft tissue injuries to fractured or broken bones and joint dislocations. If you notice any tenderness, swelling, bruising, stiffness, or pain in any of these areas, it is imperative that you seek the advice of a physician, immediately. As a general rule, fractures and dislocations are immediately obvious. With soft tissue injuries, on the other hand, symptoms may take longer to appear and may be more difficult diagnose.

The following information is made available, in order to help you recognize some of the injuries knee, thigh, and hip injuries that may result from a motor vehicle accident (MVA). If you believe you may have suffered an injury of this type, please seek immediate medical advice.

There are a variety of knee injuries that can result from an auto accident. Generally, these injuries involve the soft tissue (ligaments, muscle, and cartilage) around the knee, but can involve fractures of the kneecap and lower femur joint. Common soft tissue injuries involving the knee include stretched, torn, and twisted ligaments. This usually involves the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and/or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Another knee injury that is often seen in an MVA is a tear in, or damage to, the medial meniscus (cartilage the runs

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