What to Do if You Have Hip Pain After a Car Accident?

Experiencing hip pain after a car accident can be unsettling, particularly when it lingers beyond the first few days. This type of injury often disrupts mobility, work, and daily routines, leaving victims unsure of how to move forward. At Parnall Law, we have seen how quickly hip pain can escalate into a more serious medical issue, which is why prompt treatment and careful documentation are so important.

What starts as soreness may develop into a fracture, tear, or other condition that requires extensive care, leading to significant medical costs, long-term challenges, and lasting changes to your quality of life. Acting early protects both your health and your right to pursue compensation after a crash in New Mexico, giving you a stronger path to recovery.

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Common Related Hip Injuries Following a Car Accident

Car accidents often create sudden, forceful movements that damage the hip joint and surrounding structures. According to Dignity Health, common hip injuries and conditions include:

• Hip fractures: A break in the upper part of the femur, often requiring surgery or replacement.
• Labral tears: Damage to the cartilage around the hip socket, leading to instability or catching sensations.
• Dislocations: When the ball of the femur slips out of the hip socket, a medical emergency.
• Bursitis: Inflammation of the small sacs that cushion the hip joint, causing sharp pain.
• Tendon or muscle strains: Overstretching during impact that limits strength and flexibility.
• Osteoarthritis aggravation: Existing joint problems that worsen after trauma.

Each of these injuries can range from moderate to life-changing, making it vital to connect the symptoms with medical and legal documentation.

Main Symptoms of Hip Pain After Car Accidents

Recognizing hip injury warning signs early can limit long-term complications and strengthen an accident claim. According to the Mayo Clinic, common indicators of a hip fracture and related problems include:

• Severe pain in the hip or groin area that makes standing or walking difficult.
• Inability to move the leg or bear weight on it without sharp discomfort.
• Stiffness or swelling around the joint that limits normal mobility.
• Visible deformity or shortening of the affected leg, which may indicate a fracture.
• Bruising and tenderness that appears within hours or days after the crash.
• Grinding or popping sensations with movement, often signaling joint or cartilage damage.
• Pain radiating to the thigh, knee, or lower back, sometimes worsening with prolonged activity.

Some hip injuries are not immediately obvious and they may take hours or even days to appear, so that’s why seeing a doctor after a car accident is important, even when discomfort feels minor.

Steps to Take After Hip Pain Following a Car Accident

When hip pain after a car accident sets in, every step you take can protect both your health and your legal rights, from seeking medical attention to documenting the incident and consulting with a lawyer.

First Aid and Immediate Response

Right after a crash, your first priority should be protecting your body from further harm. If you feel severe pain, numbness, or cannot stand, stop moving to prevent hidden injuries from getting worse. Applying an ice pack wrapped in a cloth can ease swelling and pain, while resting with your leg elevated helps reduce inflammation and improve circulation. A compression wrap may also be useful, but only if recommended by a medical professional.

Along with these immediate steps, contacting a car accident lawyer early is wise, since thorough medical documentation can support your recovery and strengthen any future claim for compensation.

Typical Car Accident Response Steps

Beyond caring for your hip, it is important to follow the usual steps that protect your health and your legal rights after a collision. Call 911 so police and emergency responders can arrive, document the crash, and provide medical attention at the scene. Be sure to exchange information with the other driver, including license plate and insurance details, and take photos of the accident site, your injuries, and the damage to all vehicles involved.

Even if your discomfort feels minor, arrange for a medical evaluation right away. Tests such as X-rays or MRIs can reveal hip injuries that are not immediately obvious, ensuring you get the treatment you need while creating records that may be critical for your claim.

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Can I Get Any Compensation?

Yes, compensation may be available if your hip pain was caused by a negligent driver. In New Mexico, victims of car accidents may pursue damages through the at-fault driver’s liability coverage or, in cases involving uninsured or underinsured motorists, through their own UM/UIM policy.

Compensation after a car accident often covers a wide range of losses. This may include medical expenses for emergency treatment, surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation, as well as income you lose during recovery and any reduction in your future earning ability. Victims may also pursue damages for pain and suffering, which reflect both the physical limitations and emotional distress caused by the injury.

In some cases, compensation can extend to the costs of mobility aids or home modifications needed to adapt to lasting impairments. When a collision results in a fatality, families may be entitled to wrongful death benefits to address the financial and emotional impact of their loss.

Proving the connection between your car accident and hip injury is critical. Insurance companies may attempt to blame pre-existing conditions or downplay your pain. An attorney can push back against these tactics and build a strong case for full recovery.

Contacting a Car Accident Lawyer for Your Free Case Review

Recovering from a collision can be overwhelming. Between medical appointments, missed time at work, and the lasting effects of hip pain after a car accident, everyday life can quickly become unmanageable. No one should have to face these hardships alone.

At Parnall Law, we are here to support you. Our team will review your case, explain your legal options under New Mexico law, and pursue the compensation you deserve. Call (505) 268-6500 or reach us through our secure online form for a free consultation. We will listen to your story, guide you through the process, and protect your rights while you focus on recovery.