Georgia Car Accident Hip Injury Settlements: How Much Is Your Case Worth?

Key Points:

• Despite safety measures like seat belts and airbags, hips are still vulnerable in car accidents due to their position.
• Almost all types of car accidents can impact the hips.
• There are a wide range of hip injuries that can come from a car accident, with hip fractures and dislocations being among the worst.

Table of Contents

Today’s cars come equipped with a variety of protective features including seat belts, cushioned seats, and side airbags. Unfortunately,  your hips remain vulnerable in car accidents. As you may have already discovered, the intense forces upon the body during such incidents can put every part of the body at risk in spite of these safety measures.

Common Car Accidents That Risk Hip Injuries

Your accident is unique and honestly can’t be compared with anybody else’s experience. Nevertheless, there are certain common situations in which injuries seem more likely to happen.

Rear-end Collisions: When you are violently  jolted forward and then back again, it can cause intense stress to the hip joints.

T-bone or Side-impact Collisions: These accidents directly impact the side of your vehicle, which can lead to severe hip and pelvis injuries, especially if you were sitting on the side that’s hit.

Frontal Collisions: The sudden stop or deceleration can cause the people within your car to be thrown forward, causing possible overstretching, strain or impact to the hips.

Rollover Accidents: The car rolling can subject your passengers to multiple forces and impacts. These unnatural movements of being tossed around like a  rag doll are very likely to cause damage to the hip.

Side-swipes: When your vehicle is traveling parallel to others,  and another car impacts the left or right side of your vehicle, the lateral force can injure the hips, especially if the impact is near the door area.

Pedestrian Accidents: If your accident was one in which a vehicle strikes you as a pedestrian, it’s quite likely that your unprotected hips will be injured..

Bicycle Accidents:  Hip injuries happen far too often to cyclists. If this happened to you, you may already understand that, because of the height at which the vehicle makes contact with your body, your hips are likely to take the brunt of the impact and the damage.

Motorcycle Accidents: If you enjoy riding your motorcycle, you understand that the safety features on cars are not available on your bike. Riders can very easily be thrown from their bikes or pinned, potentially causing significant hip injuries.

Multi-car pile-ups: Due to the chaos and multiple impact points in these accidents, you might suffer hip injuries from various angles of impact.

Remember that the severity of hip injuries also depends on factors like speed at the time of the collision, the size and weight of the vehicles involved, and the safety features present in the vehicle.

Common Hip Injuries Resulting from Car Accidents

If you’ve suffered a hip injury, some of the most common injuries, listed below, may be painfully familiar to  you. Here we’ve created a list so that you might better understand your injury, the recovery time, and the roughly estimated costs you and your family may have to cope with.

Hip Fractures

A hip fracture can include a break in the upper part of the femur (thigh bone) or within the pelvic bone. You may  have symptoms of a hip fracture including, severe pain in the hip or groin, inability to bear weight on the affected leg, stiffness, bruising, and swelling in and around the hip area. Your  injured leg may appear to be shorter or seem to turn outward.

Treatment Options: Surgery is often required, followed by extended physical therapy and sometimes rehabilitation. Hospital stays, surgery, and the potential need for implants or prosthetics can escalate costs. Recovery time for such surgeries can be three to six with a total recovery time of nearly a year. The estimated costs will vary from $20,000 to $35,000, but can exceed $50,000 with complications and extended rehabilitation.

If you are the victim of a car accident hip injury, you may be confined to bed or might require help to walk. Naturally, this can interfere with your sense of self-reliance or independence.Unfortunately, your daily activities, from personal care to house chores, can be severely limited.

Rehabilitation: Hip injuries often lead to extensive and expensive physical therapy in the long-term. This can involve significant commitment of time and resources.

Possible Pre-existing Condition: If you are among the elderly or suffer from conditions like osteoporosis or bone weakness, car accidents and other traumatic accidents can lead to fractures more easily. Additionally, healing those fractures can take more time and burden you and your loved ones for longer.

As you deal with your injury, you may be under the care of specialists including Orthopedic Surgeon, Radiologist, Physical Therapist, and Pain Management Specialist.

Claim Value: Settlements for hip fractures can vary widely, typically ranging from $50,000 to $500,000. The amount depends on several factors, including the severity of the fracture – if it requires surgery or not, the amount of time you were unable to work, and the recovery length and process. If the recovery is quick and there are no long-term life changes, the settlement is likely to be on the lower end of this range.

Hip Dislocation

Hip dislocation happens when the head of the femur is forced out of its socket where it fits into the pelvic saddke. If you suffer a hip dislocation, you may feel intense pain, inability to move the affected leg, the leg might appear shorter and twisted outwards.

As with other injuries, much of how this plays out for you will depend upon the severity of the injury. A hip dislocation may require surgery, especially if associated with fractures or if there are recurrent dislocations after the accident. Recovery time for your hip dislocation can be from three to six months with medical costs ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. However, if surgery is required, your medical bills are likely to run from $15,000 to $30,000.

During treatment, you may require the assistance of medical professionals such as Radiologists, Pain Management Specialists and Physical Therapists.

Even following physical therapy, pain may persist and movement may be difficult as the result of a hip dislocation. This is particularly true if you have experienced a dislocation previously in the same hip as the joint will be more prone to slipping.

Settlement Value: Settlements for hip dislocation resulting from car accidents can range from $25,000 to $100,000. Because your accident and your particular injuries are unique, the specific amount depends on various factors including the severity of the dislocation, the duration of recovery, the extent of medical treatment required, and the impact your injuries impact your daily life and ability to work.

 In cases where the dislocation heals relatively quickly with minimal long-term effects, the settlement is likely to be on the lower end of the range. However, if the injury leads to complications or significant changes to your lifestyle, the settlement amount could be higher.

Hip Pointer Injury: The term Hip Pointer Injury refers to a bruise or contusion to  the upper, outer part of the hip called the iliac crest. Symptoms of such an injury include sharp pain in the upper hip, swelling, bruising and tenderness to touch.

The treatment for these kinds of injury is RICE – rest, ice, compression, and elevation, along with over-the-counter pain medications as needed. Your doctor may advise you to see a physical therapist.

Your estimated cost for conservative treatment will range from $500 to $2,000, and will involve a short period of inactivity. You might need to avoid strenuous activities for some time as you will experience some discomfort while you are sitting, walking. Lying on the affected side might also be uncomfortable.

Labral Tears

The ring of cartilage that surrounds the outside rim of the hip joint socket is called the labra. A tear in this cartilage can cause pain and catching sensations in the hip. Symptoms you may notice in this situation include clicking or catching sensation in the hip, stiffness, and pain in the hip or groin.

In terms of treatment, arthroscopic surgery might be necessary followed by physical therapy. This surgical procedure will cost from $15,000 to $25,000. Depending upon the treatment plan, your estimated recovery time will be  3-6 months.

It sometimes happens that, even after treatment, you may experience some difficulty in activities that involve hip rotation, like sports. You may also experience persistent pain or discomfort, particularly when moving the hip.

Specialists you may work with may include an arthroscopic surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, radiologist, and, almost certainly, a physical therapist

The settlement value for a labral tear will vary, but may amount to $40,000, to $80,000.

Soft-Tissue Injuries: Symptoms associated with soft-tissue injuries include pain and tenderness, swelling and bruising and limited range of motion. Soft-tissue injuries are often managed with RICE, Rest, Ice, Compression and, Elevation, along with non-prescription medication for pain.

Of course, your estimated recovery time from these kinds of injuries will depend upon the severity of your injury – 2 weeks if mild, 3-6 weeks if moderate, and several months if extreme. The level of discomfort and the resultant mobility issues will vary as well

Also dependent upon the severity of the injury, your medical costs will vary but can be estimated at from $500, to $5,000. Doctors you may see for such injuries include Physiatrist, Radiologist, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist

Bursitis: Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions the hip joint. Direct trauma to this area can lead to acute bursitis. Your symptoms may include joint pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness after sitting or sleeping.

Treatment for Bursitis usually includes anti-inflammatory medications, rest, and occasionally, corticosteroid injections. This condition, if it is acute, can last a couple weeks. However, if the condition is chronic, it can last many months depending upon your activity level.

Costs for the initial diagnosis and treatment can range from $500 to $3,000. If your treatment includes recurring treatments or injections it will increase your medical costs.

Pre-Existing Condition: Bursitis can be a pre-existing condition caused by repetitive use, prolonged pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, or other factors. However, the accident can worsen your condition and require additional care and treatment from medical professionals. This additional care is a valid medical expense to be factored into your claim.

Hip Flexor Injury: If your accident results in  strain or tearing of the muscles at the front of the hip the injury is called a Hip Flexor Injury. You may experience symptoms including sharp pain at the front of the hip, swelling, and tenderness. Because these muscles are used  to lift your knee, the result can be difficulty in doing so.

Treatment options for this condition include rest, physical therapy, and over-the-counter pain relief.

Your recovery time for a hip flexor injury will typically be 1-3 weeks if the injury is a mild one, 4-8 weeks if severe. Associated medical costs are estimated to range from $500 to $4,000 depending on the severity and whether or not physical therapy is needed.

This injury may cause some challenges in doing everyday things like climbing stairs, running, or even walking. You may be forced to limit or eliminate some sports and exercise from your daily routine. Such changes in your lifestyle should also be factored into your insurance claim.

During treatment and recovery  you may need to see a  Physical Therapist, Sports Medicine Specialist, or an Occupational Therapist.

Pelvic Fractures: While not exclusive to the hip, fractures of the pelvic ring or individual pelvic bones can affect hip function. If you suffer a pelvic fracture, you may notice pain in the groin, hip, or lower back. abdominal pain or bleeding in cases associated with open fractures.

Pelvic fractures can be life-threatening and often require surgical intervention, particularly if there are associated internal injuries.

Depending upon the level of treatment, you may expect to spend 3 to 6 months recovering from a pelvic fracture. If you do not need surgery, you may spend from $10,000 to $25,000 for treatment, if you do require surgery, it will probably cost you from $25,000 to $100,000 for that intervention.

Personal care and other daily activities can present hip injury patients with significant challenges and might  require assistance from others. You may experience lifestyle interruptions since there may be extended periods of reduced mobility, possibly needing assistive devices.

You will likely see doctors such as an Arthroscopic Surgeon, Orthopedic Surgeon, Pain Management Specialist, Occupational Therapist and undergo extensive physical therapy and possible occupational therapy

Hematoma: A Hematoma happens when there is an accumulation of blood within the tissues due to trauma, which can cause swelling and pain. Symptoms of a hematoma include swelling or lump under the skin accompanied by pain, tenderness. And discoloration or bruising.

A hematoma will usually resolve on its own, though in some cases, drainage might be required. This resolution will take a  couple of weeks if minor, several months if severe. The associated costs will amount to from  $500 to $3,000. Surgical drainage, if necessary, will increase costs.

Avulsion Fractures: An avulsion fracture occurs when a small piece of bone is torn away from the main part of the bone by a tendon or ligament. You will probably experience Sudden, severe pain at the time of injury followed by swelling and bruising. You may also have difficulty moving the affected muscle.

Treatment of avulsion fractures, depending on the extent of the injury, may necessitate surgical intervention, which will impact the medical costs. Without surgery, your costs will range from $3,000 to $7,000 but, if surgery is required, it will increase the medical costs to $10,000 to $20,000.

Your treatment may require the services of an Arthroscopic Surgeon, Orthopedic Surgeon, Pain Management Specialist, and/or Physical Therapists During the 3 to 6 months it will take for recovery, you may be required to suspend participation in sports or activities that strain the affected muscles.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis: Unfortunately, damage to the hip joint from the trauma of an accident can lead to arthritis in the affected joint over time. Symptoms would include joint pain or aching, stiffness, reduced range of motion and swelling.

Treatment options for this condition will involve long-term management, including medications, physical therapy, and potential joint replacement surgeries, all of which can make this a costly outcome as this is a chronic condition that can last for the remainder of your life.

Your treatments over time will vary dramatically ranging from $1,000 per year for mild cases to over $50,000 if joint replacements are needed.

Your lifestyle may also change as you will likely experience chronic, persistent joint pain that might limit activities and limit your mobility. If you already had arthritis, it can be made worse by a traumatic car accident. You may need the help of specialists who treat this injury such as a Rheumatologist, Physiatrist, Physical Therapist, or Occupational Therapist.

Nerve Injuries in the Hip Area: Accident trauma can damage the nerves around the hip region, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness. You might also find that your symptoms include tingling and or burning sensations in the hip area which also indicate nerve injury.

You may see recovery in a matter of weeks if the damage is minor or several months if severe. Unfortunately, some nerve injury can cause long-lasting or even permanent symptoms.

Naturally, your recovery time and the medical costs involved will vary widely based on the type and extent of nerve damage and treatments required. Costs can range from $1,000 for minor injuries to over $30,000 for severe injuries and surgeries.

Some of the medical specialists who may treat your  nerve injuries are: Neurologist, Pain Management Specialist, Physical Therapist, or a Chiropractor.

Challenges That Can Accompany Car Accident Hip Injuries

Every car accident legal claim involving injuries presents its own challenges. It is rare for our car accident attorneys to encounter a case without any obstacles. Here we list a few potential challenges you might face if your car accident led to a hip injury.

A Lack of Insurance Coverage

Unfortunately, many drivers only carry the minimum liability insurance required by the state of Georgia. In cases of serious hip injuries, which can require extensive treatment, rehabilitation, and result in long-term medical costs, these policy limits may be quickly exhausted. This leaves injured victims potentially facing significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Ideally, you should have UIM, also known as Underinsured Motorist coverage. This coverage will come into play and help you with medical expenses once you exhaust the policy limits carried by the at-fault driver. Given that medical costs for injuries continue to rise while the state’s minimum insurance requirements remain unchanged, we strongly recommend all drivers in Georgia to secure Underinsured Motorist coverage.

The Defense Challenging a Pre-Existing Hip-Injury

With car accident legal claims involving hip injuries, one of the  insurance companies’ favorite tactic is to look seriously into the medical history of the injured party. Remember, the insurance company’s job is to find ways NOT to pay you for your injuries. When they rummage around in your medical records, their objective is clear: to identify any pre-existing conditions related to the hip. By researching prior medical records, diagnoses, or treatments, the defense aims to argue that your injury was not caused by the accident, but merely made a pre-existing condition worse. This strategy often serves a dual purpose – to cast doubt on your claims and to persuade you to accept a lower settlement, thereby minimizing their expense.

A Long Settlement Process

Expenses from a car accident can begin to accumulate within just a few weeks. While medical bills might take some time to arrive, the stress intensifies once they do. Hiring a lawyer can expedite the settlement process, though it may still span several months, particularly for hip injuries. Having an experienced personal injury specialist in your corner can be comforting and help you to remain patient as you navigate the incoming expenses.

Future Medical Expenses

Hip injuries, particularly severe ones, can persist for months or even years. This often leads to multiple specialist appointments that can be costly over time.

A competent car accident lawyer will work to estimate your future medical expenses for these treatments and incorporate them into the settlement demand. Your legal team will also take on the responsibility for justifying these anticipated costs. Predicting future expenses can be challenging and might face disputes. Engaging a skilled car accident lawyer is the best way to identify all costs including anticipated future expenses in order to secure adequate compensation for these potential costs.

Common Questions You May Have about Hip Injury Legal Claims

How Much is a Georgia Hip Injury or Fracture Case Worth?

The value of a hip injury claim hinges not only on the expenses tied to past and future medical care but also on the severity of the injury and the trajectory of recovery. While there’s no such thing as a “minor” hip injury from the perspective of the victim, a case where the hip heals quickly and completely with medical expenses ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 might have a value of less than $30,000.

Cases involving hip injuries that will require future  injections and physical therapy might range in value from $20,000 to $100,000, contingent on the injury’s severity and the duration of recovery. More grave injuries, such as significant dislocations, fractures, or those requiring hip replacement surgeries, typically command values between $100,000 and $1,000,000. In these severe cases, the settlement’s worth may be influenced by the insurance coverage available and projected future care costs. For instance, individuals undergoing hip replacement might need subsequent surgeries, amplifying the compensatory damages to which they’re entitled.

Several other factors also influence the value of a hip injury settlement or lawsuit. These include how clearly you’re able to establish that the accident caused the injury.

Can Pre-Existing Conditions Hurt My Case?

In Georgia, the driver at fault, or any negligent party responsible for the accident, is accountable for the injuries sustained by other drivers and passengers. If someone’s negligence or recklessness leads to harm, the law generally supports the victim.

However, this doesn’t ensure that the insurance company representing the at-fault driver or negligent property owner will readily settle your claim. The at-fault driver’s insurance company can be counted upon to put up a fight.

Pre-existing conditions, such as osteoporosis, which might have complicated your injury shouldn’t negatively affect your case. If your hip was intact before the accident and is now fractured or broken due to the crash, the blame isn’t yours.

Nevertheless, other conditions, such as arthritis, could make it more challenging to demonstrate that the accident made your condition worse, especially if there isn’t significant visible damage on x-rays or MRIs post-accident.

It’s worth noting that Georgia law stipulates that an injured individual is to be considered in the state they were in at the time of the accident. This means that if a pre-existing condition worsened due to the crash, it can still be grounds for compensation.

Can a car accident result in a hip replacement procedure?

Yes, a car accident can certainly result in injuries severe enough to make a hip replacement procedure necessary. In high-impact collisions or specific types of crashes, the force exerted on the hip joint can lead to significant fractures or damage that is beyond repair using conservative treatments.

When the hip joint is irreparably damaged, or when attempts to fix the injury fail to restore adequate function and alleviate pain, a hip replacement might be recommended by orthopedic surgeons.

It’s essential to seek prompt medical attention after a car accident, especially if you experience persistent hip pain, as timely diagnosis and treatment can significantly influence the long-term outcome and potential need for such surgeries. If you’ve had to undergo a hip replacement as a result of a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

Most At-Risk Car Accident Victims for Hip Injuries

Car accidents can indiscriminately affect individuals of all ages and backgrounds, but certain demographics and scenarios place some victims at a heightened risk for hip injuries.

The elderly, due to their naturally weakened bone density and the onset of conditions like osteoporosis, are notably more susceptible to hip fractures and dislocations during vehicular collisions. Additionally, their longer recovery times and potential complications can make these injuries particularly severe.

Apart from age, factors like the position of the victim in the vehicle, the type of collision, and even seatbelt usage can influence the likelihood of a hip injury. For instance, side-impact (or T-bone) collisions often directly impact the hip region, making them a common cause for such injuries.

Similarly, passengers seated on the side of the vehicle that’s hit may be at greater risk. It’s crucial for all passengers and drivers to be aware of these risks and take necessary precautions, like consistently using seatbelts and ensuring that vehicles are equipped with functioning side airbags.

When hip fractures happen in the elderly, they can complicate life and even bring on an early death in some patients. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons states that the impact of a fractured hip, especially in the case of older adults, can include these serious complications including a higher rate of mortality, inability to maintain independence and/or live alone creating a decreased quality of life. Additionally, the inability to get around can lead to a greater risk of blood clots and infections,

An elderly individual involved in a car accident may face significantly higher medical bills than a young adult. Consequently, settlements for hip injuries can differ by age due to varying medical requirements.

Strategies Our Lawyers Use for Successful Hip Injury Claims

While our lawyers are not medical professionals, they excel at understanding insights from doctors about the severity and costs associated with hip injuries. Armed with this knowledge, we can effectively convey the extent of the injury to insurance companies during the settlement process.

Communicating With the Auto Insurance Company

We will handle all of the communications with the auto insurance company to ensure that everything said will benefit your claim. This eliminates one of the most stressful parts of any accident claim and makes the process far less difficult for our clients.

Gathering Crucial Evidence for Your Case

Evidence is essential to establish that you weren’t at fault, to demonstrate that the accident directly led to your injuries, and to verify the expenses associated with those injuries. Our legal team, comprising both paralegals and case managers, are experts at  diligently gathering all necessary evidence in order to build a robust and compelling legal claim. This comprehensive approach enhances your prospects of a successful resolution for your hip injury case.