Hip pain that doesn’t improve, worsens over time, or makes it difficult to stand, walk, or bear weight should be evaluated by a medical provider. Even injuries that seem minor can become more painful as inflammation develops.
Medically reviewed by: Christopher P. Dougherty, DO, FAOAO, FAAOS, CAQSM | Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon | July, 2026
Your hips provide the strength and stability needed for nearly every lower-body movement.
Whether you’re walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of a car, or simply standing, healthy hip joints help support your balance and mobility throughout the day.
A car accident can place significant force on the hips, resulting in injuries to the bones, cartilage, muscles, tendons, or ligaments that make movement possible. While some injuries cause immediate pain, others develop gradually as inflammation increases in the hours or days following a collision.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the hip is a ball-and-socket joint that connects the thigh bone to the pelvis, allowing for a wide range of motion while supporting much of the body’s weight. Because of its role in everyday movement, even a relatively minor injury can make routine activities more difficult.
If you’re experiencing hip pain after a car accident, early evaluation can help identify the source of your symptoms and ensure you receive the treatment that’s right for your injury.
The hips help support your body whenever you stand, walk, or move. During a car accident, that weight-bearing role makes them especially vulnerable to injury as the force of the collision travels through the pelvis and lower body.
Hip injuries can occur when the body twists suddenly, the hip strikes the vehicle interior, or force is transferred through the legs during impact. Slip-and-fall accidents can also injure the hip by causing a direct blow or awkward landing.
Common causes of hip injuries include:
Some injuries cause immediate pain, while others become more noticeable as swelling and inflammation develop over the next several hours or days.
If you’ve been in an accident and your hip doesn’t feel quite right, an early evaluation can help identify the injury and begin treatment before symptoms worsen.
If you were injured in a Florida auto accident, receiving an initial medical evaluation within 14 days may also help preserve your eligibility for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits.
Depending on the type and severity of the injury, symptoms may appear immediately or develop gradually over the following hours or days.
Common symptoms include:
Because the hips work closely with the rest of the lower body, an injury can sometimes change the way you walk or bear weight. This may place added stress on the knees, ankles and feet, leading to pain in multiple joints after an accident.
The type of hip injury you experience depends on how the joint and surrounding tissues were affected during the accident.
Some injuries involve broken bones, while others affect the cartilage, muscles, tendons, or ligaments that keep the hip stable and moving properly.
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that cushions the hip joint and helps stabilize it. A sudden twist or forceful impact can tear this cartilage, causing pain and limiting movement.
Symptoms may include:
The muscles and tendons surrounding the hip can become strained or torn during the sudden forces of a collision.
Symptoms may include:
A hip dislocation occurs when the ball of the hip joint is forced out of its socket. Although uncommon, it is a serious injury that requires immediate medical care.
Symptoms may include:
The bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip joint. Trauma from an accident can cause them to become inflamed (bursitis), leading to pain during movement.
Symptoms of hip bursitis may include:
Identifying the source of your hip pain is an important first step in creating the right treatment plan.
Your provider will review your symptoms, discuss how the accident occurred, and perform a physical examination to evaluate your range of motion, strength, balance, gait, and areas of tenderness.
If needed, diagnostic imaging may be recommended to confirm your diagnosis, including:
At Complete Care, our integrated team works together to accurately diagnose your injury and develop a personalized treatment plan designed to relieve pain, restore mobility, and support your recovery.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of your injury, your symptoms, and how the injury is affecting your mobility. The goal is to reduce pain, restore movement, and help you safely return to your normal activities.
Your personalized treatment plan may include:
At Complete Care, our providers work together to coordinate every aspect of your treatment. By combining multiple specialties under one roof, we can create a comprehensive care plan that’s tailored to your injury and recovery goals.
Complete Care makes it easier to get the comprehensive care you need after a hip injury.
With an integrated team of providers working together under one roof, we coordinate every aspect of your care so you can focus on healing.
When you choose Complete Care, you’ll benefit from:
Our integrated approach ensures every provider is working toward the same treatment plan, delivering seamless, patient-centered care from diagnosis through recovery.
Hip pain that doesn’t improve, worsens over time, or makes it difficult to stand, walk, or bear weight should be evaluated by a medical provider. Even injuries that seem minor can become more painful as inflammation develops.
Yes. Some hip injuries don’t cause immediate symptoms. Pain and stiffness may develop gradually over the hours or days following an accident as swelling and inflammation increase.
Not always. Many hip injuries can be treated with conservative care, including injury care and rehabilitation, chiropractic care and pain management.
More severe injuries, such as certain labral tears or hip dislocations, may require orthopedic treatment or surgery.
Recovery depends on the type and severity of the injury. Minor soft-tissue injuries may improve within a few weeks, while fractures, labral tears, and other complex injuries can take several months.
Your provider will develop a treatment plan based on your diagnosis and progress.
No. Complete Care does not treat broken bones. If you suspect a hip fracture, go to the nearest emergency room. If a fracture is identified during your evaluation at Complete Care, we will refer you to an appropriate specialist for treatment.
You should be evaluated as soon as possible after an accident, even if your symptoms seem mild. Early diagnosis can help identify hidden injuries and begin treatment before symptoms worsen.
If you were injured in a Florida auto accident, seeking an initial medical evaluation within 14 days may also help preserve your eligibility for PIP benefits.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. If your injury is a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
Hip pain after a car accident can make even simple activities feel challenging, but you don’t have to navigate recovery alone.
At Complete Care, our integrated team works together to diagnose your injury, coordinate your treatment, and help you regain strength, mobility, and confidence.
With 30+ convenient locations across Florida, comprehensive care is never far away.
Whether you’re experiencing new pain or lingering symptoms after an accident, Complete Care is here to help you take the next step toward recovery.