How Long After Hip Surgery Can You Drive? What Injury Victims Need to Know

By Yosi Yahoudai Founder and Managing Partner

September 10, 2025

Personal Injury

When someone breaks a hip, life can change in an instant. Whether it happened in a car crash or a slip and fall at the grocery store, a fractured hip is life-altering – especially for older adults. 

One of the most common questions we hear from clients recovering from these injuries is:
“When will I be able to drive again?” 

We’re not medical professionals, and we always recommend speaking with your surgeon about your specific recovery timeline. But after working with thousands of injury victims across California, we can share what we’ve seen and how your ability to drive (and the value of your injury claim) are often more connected than people think. 

Why Hip Injuries Are So Common (and So Serious)

Hip fractures are especially common among older adults. Every year, we help clients who suffered broken hips in: 

• Rear-end collisions 

• Side-impact crashes 

• Motorcycle accidents 

• Parking lot slips 

• Falls on wet floors or uneven sidewalks 

• Trip hazards in poorly maintained buildings 

Whether the injury happens on the road or on someone else’s property, the consequences are often the same: hospitalization, surgery, and a long, emotionally taxing recovery. 

The Mental and Emotional Toll of Missed Time

After a hip fracture, mobility isn’t the only thing clients lose. They lose time with family and celebrating milestones. They also lose time doing the things that make them feel like themselves. 

That emotional anguish is something we take seriously. 

Types of Hip Injuries After a Fall or Collision

Not all hip injuries are the same, and the type of fracture (and treatment required) plays a big role in how soon you can drive again: 

• Femoral Neck Fractures: Often require pins, screws, or partial hip replacement 

• Intertrochanteric Fractures: Usually treated with surgical hardware and longer rehab 

• Acetabular Fractures: Damage to the hip socket, often requiring full hip replacement 

• Hip Dislocations: Painful and sometimes recurring if not properly managed 

Each injury comes with its own surgical options and recovery guidelines. Only a medical professional can help you determine when it’s safe to drive again – typically after 6 to 12 weeks, depending on factors like: 

• Which leg was injured 

• Whether you’re using assistive devices (walker, cane, etc.) 

• Pain levels and strength 

• Whether you’re still taking pain medications that impair driving 

Why Hip Surgery Recovery Can Impact Your Case Value

A broken hip isn’t just about hospital bills. It’s about the ripple effect on your independence, your mental health, and your future needs. 

“A hip fracture changes how you move through the world, literally and legally,” says Parham Nikfarjam, Senior Trial Attorney at J&Y Law. “Courts and juries look at X-rays and medical bills, but you also have to make them see what you’ve lost day to day. If you can’t drive your grandkids to school or get to work without help, that’s part of your damages.” 

In California, we help clients get compensated for: 

• Mobility equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, raised toilet seats, etc.) 

• In-home care or physical therapy 

• Transportation assistance 

• Pain and suffering 

• Lost quality of life 

These aren’t “nice to haves.” They’re essential recovery expenses that often get left out of quick insurance settlements. 

“We’ve seen too many clients sign settlements before realizing they’ll need another surgery or can’t return to work full-time,” continues Nikfarjam. “Insurance companies aren’t trying to forecast your needs. They’re in the business of minimizing payouts. That’s why our job is to slow things down, gather the right evidence, and push for every dollar your future-self deserves.” 

Slip and Fall vs. Car Accident, Does It Matter?

Whether your hip was fractured in a slip and fall or a vehicle crash, you still have legal rights. How your case is built, who’s held accountable, and how compensation is pursued will look very different depending on if you were involved in a:

Car Accident: We file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Slip and Fall: We investigate the property owner’s negligence and liability coverage.

Sometimes it’s both. In one recent case, what started as a $250,000 auto policy turned into a $1.25 million recovery because we proved the property owner’s negligence played a role in the crash.

In every case, we build a detailed, evidence-backed claim to get you the full compensation you deserve.

Call a Personal Injury Lawyer Before You Sign Anything

After a hip fracture, insurance companies may rush to offer a settlement that seems fair on paper. These first offers rarely account for potential long-term effects. Don’t sign or accept anything until you speak with an experienced personal injury team. 

At J&Y Law, we’ve helped thousands of clients across California recover from serious injuries, including hip fractures. We’re not just here to get your bills paid – we’re here to fight for your full recovery. 

Call (866) 584-5954 for a free consultation. Let’s talk about your injury, your options, and what justice really looks like after a life-changing fall or crash.