What’s Causing My Hip Pain After a Car Accident

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Injuries sustained to your hip in a car accident can be debilitating. Even if you feel fine after a crash, it’s important not to ignore minor aches and pains that may arise hours, days or even weeks later because they potentially could have a severe impact on both your overall long-term health and a personal injury case. 

The hip joint is located between the femur (also known as the thigh bone) and the pelvis. The hip itself is a ball-and-socket joint surrounded by muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It is the largest weight-bearing joint in the human body and injuries can affect the body’s ability to bear weight or negatively impact your range of motion.

In this blog post, our team of experienced personal injury attorneys will outline the common injuries and symptoms associated with post-accident hip pain and what you should do to receive treatment. We will also explain why working with a personal injury lawyer can help you secure fair compensation for your injuries.

Common Hip Injuries After a Crash

You don’t need to be an elite athlete to know that the hips are vital to your ability to move freely and maintain balance. If you don’t know what these injuries look like or the steps you should take if you are hurt during a crash, it may compromise your ability to walk and run or even live without constant pain in the future. Hip pain sustained from a car accident can lead to surgery or even hip replacement. 

Common hip injuries sustained in car accidents are:

  • Fractures: Otherwise known as a broken hip. Pain often results from a break in the upper portion of the femur or thigh bone. Recovering from a hip fracture can be a long and painful process, especially if it is not properly and promptly treated.
  • Bursitis: This is the inflammation of the fluid-filled pads (also called bursae) that act as cushions to help reduce friction around the bones, muscles, and tendons of your hip joints.
  • Dislocation: Motor vehicle accidents are a common cause of hip dislocation, which occurs when the ball of the joint is pushed out of its hip socket. A dislocated hip can lead to serious long-term problems, especially if it is severe or not adequately treated within hours of an accident. The pain is exactly as excruciating as it sounds and requires immediate medical attention.
  • Tendonitis: This type of injury occurs when tendons that connect muscle to the hip bones are swollen or irritated. This pain often will gradually develop over time, but should not be ignored, especially if the pain returns or has increased.
  • Sprains: A sprain can occur when ligaments around your hip are stretched or torn. Over time, this can cause you to lose muscle strength and flexibility that affects your ability to walk and run.

Related: Leg Pain After a Car Accident: 6 Possible Causes

When Does Hip Pain Need Immediate Attention?

Never ignore severe pain in your hips if you have been involved in a car accident. Even if you don’t seek immediate medical attention following a crash, you should go to the emergency room or schedule an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms. These could be signs of a serious injury and seeking out the appropriate medical care can help ensure you make a full and fast recovery.

The most common symptoms of hip injuries include:

  • Immediate or delayed hip pain
  • Swelling, soreness, bruising, or tenderness in the hip, upper legs, or groin
  • Difficulty moving the hip joint
  • Inability to bear weight
  • Limping
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Pain in the ischium (lower part of your hip) or coccyx (tailbone)
  • Fever

How Can Your Recovery Impact Your Personal Injury Settlement?

If you do not take the time to properly diagnose the causes of your hip pain and seek appropriate treatment, the injuries could develop into bigger problems over time. A doctor will record your symptoms and perform a physical examination to determine the extent of your injuries and the proper course of treatment. This may include X-rays, CAT scans, or MRIs. Treatment for less serious injuries can include rest and physical therapy.

Neglecting medical treatment for severe pain also can lead to problems in the future. Osteoarthritis, for example is a common degenerative condition associated with hip joints. Cartilage gradually breaks down due to wear and tear, causing bone to rub on bone and creating excruciating pain and loss of motion.

If you do not take the time to properly diagnose the causes of your hip pain and seek appropriate treatment, the injuries could develop into bigger problems over time. 

Consulting with your physician is also a key component in filing a personal injury claim. Depending on your medical insurance, you may rack up a lot of bills. Don’t worry, though. If you or a family member have been injured in a car crash, you may be eligible to receive compensation.  

How You Can File A Personal Injury Claim

It is beneficial to consult with a personal injury attorney who is familiar with the process involved with filing a personal injury claim after an auto accident. They can provide you with candid advice about your best course of action and determine whether you have grounds for filing a lawsuit. 

If you are considering filing a personal injury claim for hip injuries sustained in car accident, here is a list of useful information that can help your case:

  • Document any financial and emotional losses
  • Medical records and discharge slips
  • Crash reports
  • Insurance company letters
  • Pictures you took at the crash scene or of your injuries
  • Medical bills, including costs associated with any medical devices (like crutches or a wheelchair, for example)
  • Vehicle repair estimates

Once you have completed these first steps of collecting your documents, call our law firm. This information will help us understand your losses and calculate the full extent of your damages. We also can help you understand the value of your claim.

Crosley Law Advocates for Crash Victims Affected by Hip Pain

Before you speak with an insurance company or consider negotiating a settlement, consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer. An attorney can help you avoid mistakes that damage your claims and ensure that you get a fair settlement.

At Crosley Law, we perform detailed investigations and demand justice for our clients. We also pride ourselves on our personalized and compassionate focus on every one of our clients. Crosley Law focuses its practice on serious car crash claims, including experience working with clients suffering from hip injuries.

While visiting family in Illinois, Rhonda suffered a labral tear of her left hip that required a total hip replacement after the car she was traveling in was rear-ended by another vehicle at high speed. The law firm Rhonda initially hired wasn’t fully invested in her case and pushed her to settle. She moved on to Crosley Law, which impressed her with their competence, professionalism, and willingness to educate her. Crosley Law restarted settlement discussions with the insurance companies, and Rhonda settled all her claims for $408,461.80.

“I really felt as though I had no voice. Tom and his associates completely changed that,” Rhonda said. “They empowered me.”

“I really felt as though I had no voice. Tom and his associates completely changed that,” Rhonda said. “They empowered me.”

The personal injury lawyers at Crosley Law give our clients the peace of mind they deserve.  If you or a loved one suffered life-changing injuries in a wreck, we want to help you rebuild. Our personal injury lawyers use cutting-edge tactics and have a track record of success. To schedule your free consultation, call 210-LAW-3000 | 210-529-3000 or fill in our website’s easy contact form. Let us put our experience to work for you! 

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.