Facial Injuries Caused by a Car Accident
12th April 2023
Car accidents can be devastating and cause various severe injuries, including facial injuries. Facial injuries can be particularly traumatic, resulting in long-lasting physical and emotional effects. Victims not only experience excruciating pain, but they can also lose their self-confidence.
The attorneys with Sand Law can help if you’ve suffered facial injuries in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence. You can contact us online or call 701-609-1510 for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common include:
Types of Car Accidents that Cause Facial Injuries
Some accidents are more likely to cause facial injuries than others. These include the following:
Head-on Collisions
This is one of the worst kinds of accidents and almost always leads to disaster for anyone involved. When two vehicles collide head-on, the force of the impact can cause severe facial injuries. A head-on wreck is also fatal in many instances.
Rear-end Collisions
If a driver strikes the back end of another car, the driver of the vehicle being hit can suffer severe facial damage. Their face will often slam into the steering wheel, leading to broken bones and teeth. The victim will also be at a high risk of whiplash. This injury occurs when the neck suddenly jerks back and forth.
Side-impact Collisions
A side-impact collision is commonly called a “T-bone” accident. The reason is the two vehicles form a “T” shape. T-bone wrecks typically occur at intersections. One driver will run a red light or a stop sign and slam into the other. The impact can cause windows and windshields to shatter, with flying glass causing severe facial lacerations.
Types of Facial Injuries
Facial injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe disfigurement and permanent scarring. Some of the most common resulting facial injuries from a car accident include:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Fractures
- Dental injuries.
- Soft tissue injuries
- Eye injuries
The Consequences of a Facial Injury
Facial injuries can have both physical and emotional consequences, including the following:
Pain and Discomfort
Facial injuries can be painful and uncomfortable, especially if they involve broken bones or deep cuts. A victim may not be able to eat normally for months.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Facial injuries can also leave permanent scars, a constant reminder of the car accident. In some cases, facial injuries can result in permanent disfigurement, affecting the person’s appearance and self-esteem.
Vision and Hearing Loss
Any severe injury to the face can also affect the victim’s eyes and ears. The damage could permanently affect their ability to see or hear.
Anxiety and Depression
Facial injuries can cause a person to feel anxious or depressed, especially if they’re self-conscious about their appearance.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A car accident can be a traumatic experience, and some people may develop PTSD due to the accident and their injuries.
Social Isolation
If someone suffers a facial injury that causes extensive disfigurement, they may be isolated from others. This could have a devastating impact on their social life.
Treatment Options for Facial Injuries
The treatment for a facial injury will depend on the type and severity of the injury. These are just some of the more common treatment options for facial injuries.
- Stitches or staples: Cuts and lacerations may require stitches or staples to close the wound.
- Surgery: In some cases, facial fractures may require surgery to repair the damage.
- Dental work: Dental injuries may require dental work, such as root canals or crowns, to repair the damage.
- Medication: Doctors may prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to manage pain and prevent infection.
- Therapy: Some people may benefit from therapy to help them cope with the emotional impact of their facial injury.
Receiving Compensation for Your Damages
If you’ve sustained a facial injury in a car accident caused by another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. These are some examples of the types of compensation your attorney will pursue:
Medical Expenses
You’ve probably already started accumulating significant medical bills. These bills include hospital bills, transportation to the hospital, doctor’s appointments, medication, and more.
Lost Wages
If your injury is so severe you can’t work, it probably won’t be long until you exhaust your sick time and vacation days. Once that happens, you’ll start losing your salary. Your lawyer will work to help you obtain compensation for those lost wages.
Your injury could be so extensive that you won’t be able to return to your job. You might have to find work that pays less in the future. If this is the case, your attorney will also try to help you obtain money to cover your lost earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
You could also be eligible for compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your facial injury.
How to File a Car Accident Lawsuit
If you want to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for your damages, there are several steps you will need to take. These steps include:
- Gathering evidence: This includes taking photos of the accident scene, getting the contact information of any witnesses, and obtaining a copy of the police report.
- Seeking medical treatment: You must seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident to document your injuries and receive the necessary treatment.
- Contact a car accident attorney: An experienced car accident attorney can help you navigate the legal process and protect your rights.
- File a claim with the insurance company: You must file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company before filing a lawsuit.
- Negotiate a settlement: Your attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to reach a fair settlement. In many cases, your lawyer and the insurer can do this without going to court.
- Taking the case to trial: If the insurer refuses to pay a fair settlement, your attorney may recommend a trial before a jury. At Sand Law, we have extensive courtroom experience. We’ll have the proof needed to make a compelling argument that you deserve every dollar you seek.
Contact Sand Law to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
The skilled attorneys with Sand Law will fight for your rights and work to recover the compensation you deserve. We offer free case evaluations, so use our online contact form or call 701-609-1510 to discuss your case.