Hip Pain After a Car Accident

Hip pain after a car accident can be debilitating, forcing you to adopt a new lifestyle.

Having hip pain after a car accident is common. However, if the pain gets worse in the following weeks, you might have suffered a hip fracture, dislocation, or some other kind of hip injury.

In that case, you may want to consider seeking medical attention from your primary care doctor. They can refer you to an orthopedic surgeon or chiropractor to give you more specialized care.

Types of Hip Injuries You Could Be Suffering After a Car Accident

According to Mayo Clinic, typical hip injuries people sustain in car accidents include:

• Bursitis, or inflammation of the hip joints
• Hip fracture, which can be deadly if not treated in time
• Hip dislocation, when two bones come together and the ends are in abnormal positions
• Sprain, which occurs when the ligaments are overstretched or torn
• Hip labral tear, when the soft tissue around the hip is injured
• Pinched nerve, when there is too much pressure on a nerve

Symptoms of these hip injuries include bruising and swelling around the area, pain in the groin, back, buttocks, leg, or lower back, limping, or tenderness in the area.

When you consult your doctor about your hip pain, they will perform imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. When the results come back, they will create a treatment plan for you. Based on the severity of your injury, you might need:

• Medications
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Chiropractic care
• Surgery, which may include partial or total hip replacement

Taking Action After Hip Pain From a Car Accident

If you’re planning on pursuing a legal case, there are certain things you can do to safeguard your right to compensation while ensuring your health is in check.

Consult Your Doctor Right Away

The sooner you see your primary care physician after the car accident, the sooner they can diagnose your condition and you’ll start your recovery. However, your doctor may not be specialized in treating your type of injury, so they may direct you to an orthopedic surgeon. When you meet with them, they may examine you further and give you a more in-depth analysis of your hip injury.

Keep a record of all documentation related to all your doctor’s visits, including prescribed medications, the tests performed and their results, follow-up appointments, referrals, and your doctor’s notes. We can use these things as evidence when you present your case to the other party’s insurance representatives, as it will show them:

• The car accident was a direct cause of the hip injury.
• Your injuries were serious enough for you to go to the doctor, especially an orthopedic surgeon.
• You did all you could to heal from your hip injury.

In reference to the last point, make sure you follow your treatment regimen exactly how your doctor ordered. If you suddenly stop, the insurance company may attempt to offer you a lower settlement than you deserve or refuse to pay you damages altogether.

Log How You Feel Every Day

In addition to keeping a file of your medical documentation, write a personal journal that notes:

• Your levels of hip pain
• Your mood
• What you do to recover (e.g., medications you take, exercises you do, etc.)
• How you feel post-surgery
• Your physical limitations
• What you remember from the car accident

Please be as specific as possible in your entries so that we can get a clear picture of what life has been like for you since the car crash.

You May Be Entitled To an Array of Awards For Your Car Accident-Related Hip Pain

You shouldn’t be the one footing the bills for the hip pain and other related losses you’ve endured after the car accident. Seek a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Charleston, SC from our firm to understand your legal options. Bring the attorney all the documents you gathered – including your personal journal mentioned above – and learn what they have to say about your case. In most cases, your attorney will analyze liability, explain your course of action, and initiate the process so you can seek compensation. After identifying the liable party, you may be able to request the following damages from them:

• Past and anticipated medical expenses for the lab tests, physical therapy and other rehabilitative treatment, pain medications, surgery, or assistive devices (e.g., crutches)
• Lost income for the pay you couldn’t earn
• Lost future earning capacity if your hip pain or injury keeps you from returning to work
• Property damage if you needed to repair or replace your vehicle
• Pain and suffering for your hip pain
• Diminished quality of life if you have had to sacrifice participating in certain activities because of your pain and suffering

If you think you suffered other losses that are not listed here, bring them up to your lawyer. They can assess your entire case and value each of your damages accordingly.

Get Help From George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers Today

Allow George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers to help you with your legal case after you suffer hip pain from a car accident. Our attorneys will compile evidence, keep track of all communication, and partake in settlement negotiations on your behalf.

Contact us today at (888) 612-7001. The first call is a free consultation, and there are no fees unless we obtain compensation for you*.