If you have been in a car accident and are experiencing hip pain, it is important to know what steps to take next and whether or not you have the right to file a personal injury claim.
Contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today for a free consultation.
Hip Injuries After a Car Accident
There are many potential causes of hip pain after a car crash. Some people may experience pain because they were injured in the collision, while others may have pre-existing conditions that were made worse by the impact.
Even if you don’t want to seek immediate medical attention following an accident, you should go to the emergency room or schedule an appointment with your doctor if you have hip pain because you may be experiencing any of the following hip injuries:
- Hip fractures – A hip fracture can be a serious injury that affects mobility and independence.
- Bruising and swelling of the hip joint can be caused by the collision’s impact or the force of being thrown against something.
- Dislocation of the hip joint – Hip dislocation can cause the femur or thigh bone to be pushed out of its place in the hip socket.
- Arthritis – Arthritis is a condition that affects the hip joints, causing pain and stiffness.
- Tendonitis – Tendonitis is a condition that results when the tendon, which connects muscle to bone, becomes inflamed. This can cause pain and stiffness in the affected joint.
- Bursitis – Bursitis is a condition that occurs when the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions joints and tendons, becomes inflamed. This can lead to pain, swelling, and stiffness in the affected joint.
- Soft Tissue Injuries – Soft tissues include muscles, tendons, and ligaments that attach the bones of the hip joint together and provide stability to it. Some soft-tissue injuries can be related to underlying bony fractures or dislocations, which is why they are important to diagnose correctly if you’ve been in a car accident.
Diagnosing Hip Pain After a Car Accident
If you are experiencing hip pain after a car accident, your doctor will likely perform a physical examination and order some imaging tests to determine the cause of your pain.
Some common imaging tests used to diagnose hip pain after an auto accident include:
- X-rays
- MRI scans
- CT scans
- Ultrasounds
- Bone density tests
Oftentimes, doctors will order physical therapy to help treat injuries and pain after a car accident.
How Long Does Hip Pain Last After a Car Accident?
Hip pain after car accidents will last depending on the cause and severity of your injuries. For example, if you have sustained a soft tissue injury, such as bruising or swelling, it is likely to go away in just a few days.
However, if you have fractured your hip or suffered from tendonitis, bursitis, or another more serious injury, you may experience pain for weeks or even months.
Long-Term Complications of Hip Injuries
If you have suffered a serious hip injury as the result of a car crash, there is a good chance that you will experience long-term complications. Some common complications include:
- Inability to fully extend or flex the hip joint
- Reduced range of motion
- Swelling and stiffness in the hip joint
- Pain when walking or standing
In some cases, these complications can be permanent.
Treatment for Hip Pain After a Car Accident
There are several treatment options available to you after a car accident.
Some common treatments for hip pain include:
- Medication – Depending on the cause of your pain, your doctor may prescribe medication to help alleviate pain.
- Physical therapy – Can help improve range of motion and reduce inflammation and pain in the hip joint. It is important to follow your doctor’s orders and attend all scheduled appointments to ensure you get the best possible treatment.
- Surgery – If your doctor determines that you have a fracture or other injury, they may recommend surgery.
Can Hip Injury Symptoms be Delayed?
Yes, hip injury symptoms can be delayed. This is why it is important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort after a car accident, even if it does not seem related to your hips.
It is also important to keep track of any symptoms you experience in the days and weeks following the car accident. This information can be helpful when talking to your doctor and determining the right course of treatment.
What Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Do For You
The Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.
Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.
Compensation Available to Accident Victims
If you are suffering from hip pain after a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Some of the types of damages that may be available to you include:
Medical Expenses – This includes all costs related to treating your injury, including ambulance transportation, hospital stays, surgery, and physical therapy.
Loss of Income – If you are unable to work because of your hip injury, you may be able to receive compensation for lost income. This includes both past and future earnings.
Pain and Suffering – You may also be entitled to damages for the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of your injury.
Our attorneys have experience evaluating cases just like yours to determine what they may be worth and will work hard to get you fair compensation for your injuries.
Here are a few of our case results:
- $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
- $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
- $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
- $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
- $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
- $1 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.
Factors That Impact Your Personal Injury Settlement
A few factors will impact the amount of money you receive in a personal injury settlement.
Some of these include:
- The severity of your injuries – If you have suffered severe or permanent damage as a result of the accident, you may receive a larger settlement.
- The length of time it takes to recover – If you require a long or ongoing recovery period, you may receive more money in compensation.
- The amount of medical bills and other expenses – If you have incurred significant medical bills as a result of the accident, you may be awarded more money in your settlement.
Contact an Accident Lawyer Today
If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600 or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.
