Many different car accident injuries can cause hip pain, affecting a victim's range of motion and limiting the activities the body can handle. When your hip is injured in a car accident, you might find it challenging to do things you took for granted. You could get compensated if you or a loved one suffer from hip pain after a car or bus accident.
What You Should Do When You Experience Hip Pain After an Accident
When a car accident happens, it's easy to get confused about what you should do next—especially if you're already experiencing hip pain. Once you get over the initial shock from your accident, you have a short window to act. What you do next can impact how quickly you'll recover later from your hip and leg injuries.
Seek Medical Attention
A hip injury is serious. While you might be able to withstand the pain after the accident, that pain can worsen with time. The sooner you seek a proper medical diagnosis, the earlier you receive treatment to lessen your pain and rule out life-threatening risks. It's good to get the tests your doctor recommends and follow their treatment plan.
Document Your Injuries
After receiving medical attention, the next step should be documenting your injuries. When you file a personal injury claim, documentation from your doctor will be important. The medical notes will explain your injuries to insurance experts, and these details determine your compensation.
Consult With Your Attorney
Our attorneys have extensive experience with liability and injury claims. Consulting with a legal professional can help guide the next steps you take. Your attorney might advise you to inform your insurer about the accident. If you must meet with the at-fault party, your lawyer can act as a mediator.
Hip Injury Symptoms You Should Look Out For
After an accident, pain can take time to manifest. So be prepared to check in with your doctor at different times to make sure you're healing properly. If you are starting to feel hip pain from the accident, here are some signs you shouldn't ignore:
Loss of movement: If injured in an accident, a person may suffer from a hip impingement. This means that they would lose their range of motion, unable to stretch fully.
Limping: Acute injury to the hip joints and their muscles can result in a limp. When you limp, the body reduces pressure on the hip muscles to support your weight.
Pain when moving: When the nerves, bones, and muscles around the hip are damaged, simple movement can become painful. If left untreated, this symptom can cause immobility and excruciating pain.
Accidents affect everyone differently. While some people can walk away from the scene on their feet, it doesn't mean they won't feel it in the days and weeks to come. Whether jogging down the road, walking around in your office, or playing at home, even a little hip pain can make everything harder. You'll want to watch out for these other symptoms as well. These include:
Swelling
Bruising
Abdominal pain
Persistent groin pain
Treatment and Recovery for Hip Pain After an Accident
While pain is unsettling, it's essential to seek medical evaluation before doing anything else. Healthline confirms that relevant medical diagnostic tools like CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs help doctors recommend suitable treatment options. Some treatment options that help accident victims recover from hip pain include:
Prescribed bed rest
Physical therapy
Surgery
Medication for pain and inflammation
How Much You Could Get From a Car Accident Settlement or Judgment
After an accident, you could file a lawsuit to seek compensation for damages. An attorney can help you document all your injuries to facilitate an accurate valuation for the settlement. Some damages your attorney can help you recover may include:
Costs of past and future medical treatment
Expenses for home-based care
Lost income
Emotional pain
Loss of quality of life
Pain and suffering
Since the circumstances of every case differ, the injuries involved and the variety of recoverable damages also vary. A valuation of the impacts of the hip injury by legal parties or insurance evaluators determines the final settlement amount. Still, you maintain the right to take the matter to court if an agreement is not reached during negotiations.
When Should I Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident?
If you experience hip pain from a car accident, you should speak to your attorney at your earliest convenience. Attorneys at Dolman Law Group can attest that hiring legal help seriously impacts the outcomes of any injury claim. Reach out to learn more about your legal options. You can get a free consultation with Dolman Law Group to discuss your hip injuries.