Capps Injury Law is a personal injury law firm in Birmingham, Alabama that represents individuals who have sustained serious orthopedic injuries in motor vehicle collisions. Hip and pelvic fractures are bone breaks in the hip joint or pelvic ring caused by high-impact trauma during a crash.
Cause: High-Force Vehicle Collisions
Hip and pelvic fractures result from severe impact forces. Side-impact collisions (T-bone crashes) are the most common cause. When another vehicle strikes the side of a car near the driver or passenger door, minimal barrier exists between the occupant and the point of impact. The door structure compresses inward, delivering force directly to the occupant’s hip and pelvis.
Rollover accidents cause hip and pelvic fractures as occupants are thrown against interior surfaces or partially ejected. Head-on collisions can force the knees and femurs upward into the dashboard, transmitting impact through the hip joint into the pelvis.
Crashes involving larger vehicles—such as commercial trucks striking passenger cars—generate disproportionate forces that increase fracture severity. Even when airbags deploy properly, the lower body often absorbs significant trauma because side airbags provide less protection than frontal airbags.
Birmingham-area highways and intersections see frequent side-impact collisions. Red-light violations, failure to yield, and distracted driving contribute to T-bone crashes at intersections along major corridors.
Mechanism: Direct Impact and Force Transmission
Hip fractures occur when the femur (thighbone) breaks near or at the hip joint. The femoral neck and intertrochanteric region are common fracture sites. These fractures disrupt the ball-and-socket hip joint and often damage blood supply to the femoral head, complicating healing.
Pelvic fractures involve breaks in the pelvic ring—the bony structure formed by the ilium, ischium, and pubis bones. The pelvis supports body weight, protects internal organs, and anchors major blood vessels. Pelvic fractures are classified as stable or unstable based on whether the pelvic ring remains intact.
Stable pelvic fractures involve a single break that does not disrupt the ring’s structural integrity. These fractures are painful but rarely life-threatening.
Unstable pelvic fractures involve multiple breaks that compromise the pelvic ring. These injuries can cause life-threatening internal bleeding from damaged arteries and veins. Emergency stabilization and sometimes surgical intervention are required.
Acetabular fractures damage the hip socket where the femoral head articulates with the pelvis. These fractures disrupt the joint surface and can lead to post-traumatic arthritis.
Seat belt forces can also contribute to pelvic injury. During sudden deceleration, the lap belt restrains the pelvis, concentrating forces across the iliac wings and potentially causing fractures known as “seat belt fractures.”
Symptoms Range from Immediate to Delayed
Some hip and pelvic fractures cause immediate, severe pain and inability to bear weight. Others produce symptoms that worsen over hours as swelling and inflammation develop.
Common symptoms include:
- Severe hip, groin, or lower back pain
- Inability to stand, walk, or bear weight on the affected leg
- Pain when sitting or changing positions
- Visible bruising around the hips, groin, or lower abdomen
- Leg length discrepancy or abnormal leg positioning
- Numbness or tingling in the legs (indicating nerve involvement)
- In severe pelvic fractures: signs of internal bleeding such as lightheadedness, rapid pulse, or abdominal distension
Adrenaline can mask pain immediately after a crash. Symptoms may become apparent only after the stress response subsides and the injured person attempts to move or stand. This delay does not indicate a minor injury—hip and pelvic fractures are serious even when pain is initially tolerable.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis begins with physical examination and imaging. X-rays identify most hip and pelvic fractures and show displacement and alignment. CT scans provide detailed views of complex pelvic fractures and assess internal injury. MRI may be ordered to evaluate soft tissue damage, labral tears, or occult fractures not visible on X-ray.
Treatment depends on fracture type, location, and stability:
Stable, non-displaced fractures may be treated conservatively with rest, limited weight-bearing, pain management, and physical therapy. Recovery requires weeks to months of restricted activity.
Displaced or unstable fractures typically require surgical fixation. Procedures include open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using plates, screws, and rods to realign and stabilize broken bones. Hip fractures may require partial or total hip replacement, especially in older adults.
Unstable pelvic fractures with active bleeding require emergency stabilization. External fixation devices temporarily stabilize the pelvis. Angiography and embolization may be performed to control internal hemorrhage. Definitive surgical repair follows once the patient is stabilized.
Rehabilitation is extensive. Physical therapy focuses on restoring range of motion, strength, and gait. Mobility aids such as walkers or crutches are required during recovery. Full weight-bearing may not be permitted for months.
Consequences: Long-Term Impairment and Complications
Hip and pelvic fractures often cause permanent changes to mobility and quality of life. Potential long-term effects include:
- Chronic pain in the hip, pelvis, or lower back
- Reduced range of motion and joint stiffness
- Post-traumatic arthritis requiring future joint replacement
- Altered gait and balance problems increasing fall risk
- Leg length discrepancy from bone shortening
- Nerve damage causing persistent numbness or weakness
- Avascular necrosis (bone death) from disrupted blood supply to the femoral head
These injuries frequently prevent return to physically demanding work. Caregiving responsibilities, household tasks, and recreational activities become difficult or impossible. Older adults face higher risks of complications and may never regain pre-injury mobility.
Medical costs accumulate rapidly. Surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and potential future surgeries create substantial financial burden. Lost income from prolonged inability to work compounds hardship.
Why Hip and Pelvic Fracture Claims Are Challenged in Alabama
Insurance companies scrutinize hip and pelvic fracture claims. Adjusters focus on initial imaging and surgical reports to minimize injury severity. If fractures heal structurally, insurers argue that ongoing pain and limitation are unrelated to the crash or result from normal aging or pre-existing arthritis.
Delayed symptom reporting is used to challenge causation. Gaps in medical treatment invite arguments that the injury is not serious or has resolved.
Alabama’s contributory negligence rule makes clear medical documentation essential. Comprehensive records linking the crash mechanism to the specific fracture pattern and documenting ongoing functional impairment are critical to overcoming insurer defenses.
Passenger Claims and Family Member Liability
Passengers injured in crashes often hesitate to pursue claims when the at-fault driver is a friend or family member. However, compensation comes from insurance coverage, not personally from the driver. Medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term care needs create financial strain that insurance is designed to address.
Alabama law permits passengers to recover from any at-fault party, including the driver of the vehicle in which they were riding. Legal guidance helps navigate these sensitive situations while protecting the injured person’s rights.
How Capps Injury Law Assists Hip and Pelvic Fracture Clients
Capps Injury Law reviews crash reports, vehicle damage assessments, and medical records to establish the mechanism of injury. They connect impact forces to specific fracture patterns and demonstrate causation under Alabama’s legal standards.
The firm works with orthopedic specialists and life care planners to document current and future medical needs. They identify all applicable insurance coverage, manage insurer negotiations, and prevent early settlement offers that fail to account for long-term complications and disability.
Their focus is securing full compensation for medical expenses, ongoing treatment, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and diminished quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hip and pelvic fractures common in car accidents?
Yes. Side-impact collisions, rollovers, and high-speed crashes frequently cause hip and pelvic fractures. These are among the most serious orthopedic injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents.
Can pelvic fractures be life-threatening?
Yes. Unstable pelvic fractures that disrupt the pelvic ring can cause severe internal bleeding from damaged blood vessels. These injuries require emergency medical intervention and can be fatal without prompt treatment.
Do all hip fractures require surgery?
No. Stable, non-displaced fractures may heal with conservative treatment including rest and limited weight-bearing. However, most displaced or unstable hip fractures require surgical fixation or joint replacement to restore function and alignment.
Can hip and pelvic fracture symptoms appear days after a car accident?
Yes. Adrenaline can mask pain immediately after a crash. Symptoms often worsen over hours to days as swelling and inflammation develop. Delayed pain is medically normal and does not indicate a minor injury.