Sustaining a Broken Hip Injury in a Bicycle Accident

Broken hip injuries are not uncommon in serious bicycle accidents due to the nature of a bicycle collision. In some instances, when a car hits a cyclist from the side, it can break the cyclist’s hip upon impact. With other vehicular bicycle accidents, the cyclist can be thrown from the bike and land on his or her hip on the pavement.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

A broken hip causes severe pain in the hip or groin area, and a patient will usually not be able to stand or walk because he or she won’t be able to put any pressure or weight on the leg.

After the accident, the doctor at the hospital will assess the injuries and might order various medical tests to diagnose and confirm suspicions of broken bones. Most physicians will order an x-ray to detect a broken hip bone.

If the physician needs confirmation of a broken hip bone or suspects a hairline fracture that isn’t showing up on the x-ray, a doctor might also order a(n):

  • MRI;
  • CT scan; or
  • bone scan.

Treating Broken Hip Injuries

Surgery is generally necessary for a broken hip injury. Doctors will assess the break and determine which type of surgery to use.

There are two general types of surgery for broken hips:

  • Hip replacement – this type of surgery is used when the bones cannot be aligned. The surgery can be total or partial; total repair is where the hip socket and thigh bone are replaced, and partial repairs involve only replacement of the upper part of the thigh bone.
  • Hip repair surgery – hip repair surgery can be used if the broken bones can be lined up together. This surgery involves the use of medical hardware, such as plates, rods, and screws to hold the bone together.

There is a long road to recovery after hip surgery, and some people may experience permanent partial disability as a result. In any event, both physical and occupational therapy is often used after the initial healing period to help regain mobility and function.

Looking into Compensation Options after a Bicycle Accident

Depending upon the nature of the bicycle accident, an injured cyclist may be able to pursue a claim for compensation from an at-fault party, be it another driver, the city for road defects, or a part’s manufacturer.

If a liability claim is in order, some of the possible compensable damages include:

  • lost wages and disability;
  • property damage;
  • emergency and surgery expenses;
  • medical and rehabilitation bills;
  • occupational and physical therapy treatments;
  • mental anguish; and
  • pain and suffering.

The amount of damages will depend upon the level of degree of fault both parties had in the accident. For details about legal options regarding your or your loved one’s accident, consult an injury attorney in the Denver area.

FREE Consult with a Bicycle Accident Attorney

To discuss legal options after a broken hip injury, call the Law Office of D.J. Banovitz. We will review your case and provide legal counsel. There is no obligation. Contact us today for at 303-300-5060.

D.J. Banovitz’ career has always concentrated on trial practice and he has litigated hundreds of cases. His passion and sole career focus has been to seek justice for people suffering from personal injuries as the result of someone else’s negligence. The hallmark of the Law Office of D.J. Banovitz, is the total commitment to professionalism, quality, and personalized care of your injury case. D.J. has dedicated his professional life to helping those most in need and is a proud and active member of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. His experience includes volunteering for Colorado Rural Legal Services in Montrose, the Colorado Aids Project, consumer law, family law, criminal defense, and Alternative Defense Counsel for juveniles in Denver.