Hip pain after a car accident in Lafayette could be a minor strain and sprain, but it could also be a sign of a serious injury. Left undiagnosed and untreated, a hip injury can have a profound impact on a person’s mobility and overall daily quality of life. Delayed treatment could also risk your ability to seek compensation for your medical costs and other damages if you wait too long to seek treatment after your car crash.
At Galloway Jefcoat, we turn wrong into right every day. If you suffered a hip injury in a car crash, our experienced Lafayette car accident lawyers want to help you. We offer a completely free consultation to discuss your situation and help you understand when you may have legal options. If you have a viable case and choose our firm to represent you, we will fight for the compensation you need and deserve.
Is Hip Pain Normal After a Car Crash?
Hip pain after a crash is not normal, and while it might only be muscle soreness or a strain and sprain, it is important to get it checked out. Without a full medical examination, you cannot know what is causing your pain. Leaving a hip injury untreated could make your injury worse, trigger chronic pain, or have a significant impact on your mobility.
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What Kinds of Hip Injuries Can Happen in a Car Accident?
A car accident can damage your hip in several ways. Whether it is a severe hip injury or not is largely based on the force of impact and other factors. The most common hip injuries from a car crash may include:
- Hip Fracture: Broken bones in your hip joint or pelvis may often be caused by direct impact or hitting the door or dashboard.
- Dislocated Hip: When the ball of your thigh bone pops out of the hip socket during impact of a crash. Hip dislocation can happen if your body gets twisted in awkward ways during the collision.
- Hip Strain and Sprain: Stretched or torn muscles around your hip area caused by sudden twisting or jerking motions.
- Tendonitis: The trauma of the crash can cause inflammation of the tendons that connect muscles to your hip bones.
- Labral Tears: Damage to the soft tissue that cushions and stabilizes your hip joints.
- Bursitis: Swelling of the fluid-filled sacs that help your hip joint move smoothly, typically from trauma.
- Deep Bruising: Severe bruising of hip muscles and soft tissues from the force of impact.
When Should I See a Doctor for Car Crash-Related Hip Pain?
It is a good idea to seek medical help right after a car crash to protect your health. If you do have a serious internal injury, getting it diagnosed and starting treatment right away often means a more optimal recovery.
Victims may not want the inconvenience of going to the hospital, but it is important to recognize that even minor accidents can cause hip injuries. Untreated hip injuries can cause you chronic pain and reduced mobility. In some cases, such as a fractured hip, you may need surgery. It is never a good idea to ignore hip pain or brush it off as “just soreness.”
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What Signs and Symptoms May Indicate a Serious Hip Injury?
There is no way to be sure about the type or extent of the injury you suffered without seeking medical help. Diagnostic testing, such as an X-ray or MRI, helps doctors determine or rule out any internal damage you sustained in the area.
Symptoms that may indicate a serious hip injury include:
- Sharp pain in your hip that intensifies with movement or pressure
- Grinding, clicking, or popping sounds when moving your hip
- Pain radiating from your hip down your leg
- Visible bruising, swelling, or deformity around your hip area
- Inability to put weight on your affected leg
- Limited range of motion when trying to walk or bend
- Numbness or tingling in your thigh or knee
- Hip joint stiffness that persists or worsens
- One leg appearing shorter than the other
- Lower back pain connected to hip movement
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Not Seeking Medical Attention Could Also Harm Your Legal Rights
Insurance companies look closely at how quickly you got medical care after your Lafayette crash. When you wait to see a doctor, the insurance company may claim your hip injury came from something else – not the accident. They often argue that if you were truly hurt, you would have gotten help right away.
Getting prompt medical care creates a clear link between the crash and your hip injury. Your doctor’s records serve as vital evidence, documenting your symptoms and treatment from day one. These medical records help prove the crash caused your injury and strengthen your claim for compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Protect Your Injury Claim After a Car Accident in Lafayette
Get medical care right after your crash, even if you do not feel pain yet – shock and adrenaline can mask injury symptoms. Go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care center, even if are not sure if you are seriously hurt. Tell the doctor exactly how the crash happened and list all your symptoms. These steps protect your claim because the testing, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment are all documented in your medical records.
Keep ongoing detailed records of your hip injury and how it affects your daily life. Documentation is critical for protecting your right to fair compensation. Never miss medical appointments, save all bills and records, and avoid discussing your accident in public or on social media.
Injured in a Car Accident? Contact Our Lafayette Injury Lawyers Today
At Galloway Jefcoat, our experienced Lafayette attorneys are ready to help you. We have a history of securing favorable outcomes and offer free, no-risk consultations.
Deadlines apply, so be sure to call our trusted law firm today. We turn wrong into right for injured victims every day. When we represent you, we always fight for the maximum possible compensation.
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