It happened in a flash. One minute, you were driving down the road, maybe heading home from work on I-5 or perhaps enjoying a scenic drive with your family. The next minute, you were jolted by the impact of a car accident. Now, days or even weeks later, you’re dealing with pain in your hip that is affecting your sleep, making it hard to walk, and making everyday life more difficult than it should be. Soon, you find yourself wondering, How can I get back to normal?
At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we understand. We know that hip pain after a car accident can be more than just a physical problem. It can disrupt your work, family life, and ability to enjoy the things you love. We’ve been helping people across Washington State recover from these situations for over 40 years, and we’re here to help you understand your rights and options.
What Causes Hip and Pelvic Pain After a Car Accident?
It’s easy to feel shaken up after a car accident, even if you don’t think you’ve been badly hurt. But sometimes, pain and injuries don’t show up right away. If you start to feel hip and pelvic pain after a car accident, don’t ignore it. The force of a collision can do a number on your hips and pelvis.
Here are some of the injuries that can cause hip pain:
- Fractures—a fracture is a break in the hip bone itself or a break in the hip socket;
- Dislocations—this is when the ball of your hip joint gets knocked out of place, requiring immediate medical attention;
- Sprains—stretching or tearing of the ligaments that hold your hip joint together;
- Tendonitis—irritation or inflammation of the tendons around your hip, often caused by the forces during an accident; and
- Bursitis—inflammation of the tiny fluid-filled sacs that cushion your hip joint.
If you have any hip and pelvic pain after a car accident, even if it seems minor, see a doctor right away.
What Are the Symptoms of a Hip Injury from a Car Accident?
Hip pain after a car accident might not always be obvious right away, and ignoring it can lead to long-term problems. Symptoms of a hip injury from a car accident can show up in different ways. You might experience:
- Pain ranging from a dull ache to sharp pain in your hip, groin, thigh, buttock, or your lower back;
- Difficulty moving your leg, walking, or standing;
- Stiffness in your hip joint, making it hard to bend or rotate your leg;
- Swelling or bruising around the hip;
- A popping sensation in the joint; or
- A feeling that one leg is shorter than the other.
It’s imperative to see a doctor right away, even if you think your pain is minor. The sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner you can start the proper treatment. Delaying treatment can increase the risk of long-term issues like chronic pain, arthritis, or limited mobility.
A doctor can properly assess your injury and recommend the best course of action, including medication, physical therapy, or surgery. They can also provide documentation of your injuries, which is important if you pursue a legal claim.
What Should You Do If You Have Lower Back and Hip Pain After a Car Accident?
Lower back and hip pain are often reported after a collision. If you’re experiencing this type of pain, it’s essential to act quickly to protect your health and your right to compensation.
Here’s what you should do if you are experiencing lower back and hip pain after a car accident:
- Get medical help right away. See a doctor immediately, even if your pain seems minor. This establishes a record connecting your injuries to the crash and ensures a prompt diagnosis that will get you the proper treatment.
- Keep good records. Hold onto all medical bills, treatment information, and a record of any costs related to your injuries. You’ll need this if you seek compensation.
- Consider seeing a specialist. Hip and back injuries can be complicated. Ask for a referral to an orthopedic specialist to be sure you get the proper care.
- Talk to an attorney. Before you agree to a settlement or sign any insurance papers, talk to a car crash attorney. They can help you understand your rights, gather evidence, file a claim, and negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement.
You deserve compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain, and other damages. An attorney can help you get the compensation you need.
How Much Compensation Can You Get for Hip Pain After a Car Accident?
It’s more than just an ache. Lower back and hip pain after a car accident can make even simple tasks feel impossible. On top of that, there are the medical bills, the missed work, and the worry about how you’ll manage it all.
At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we understand how a hip injury can affect every aspect of your life. We can help you seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses. This includes all past and future medical costs related to your hip injury, such as doctor visits, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and physical therapy.
- Lost wages. If your injury has kept you from working, we can help you recover your lost income and any future earning capacity that may be affected.
- Pain and suffering. Hip pain isn’t just physical—it affects your overall quality of life. We’ll help you pursue compensation for both the physical and emotional toll.
- Additional expenses. Whether it’s for home care, medical equipment, or necessary modifications to your home or car, we’ll work to ensure these costs are covered.
The compensation you may receive depends on the seriousness of your injury, its impact on your daily life, and the at-fault driver’s insurance. Even if you share some fault for the accident, Washington’s pure comparative negligence statute allows you to recover a portion of your damages based on the other driver’s level of responsibility.
Hip Pain After a Car Accident? Let Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner Help
If hip pain from a car accident is disrupting your life, Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner can help. We understand how hip injuries affect your work, family, and activities. With over 40 years of experience, we’ve helped clients recover over $100 million. We value our clients’ trust in us.
We’ll keep you informed, explain things clearly, and help you make the best decisions for your case. Plus, with our no-fee guarantee, you only pay if we win.
Don’t let a hip injury from a car accident hold you back. Contact Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner today for a free consultation.
