Facial Injuries in Car Accidents: What You Need to Know

An experienced New Orleans car accident attorney can help

Car accidents are a leading cause of serious injuries, many of which involve trauma to the face. Facial injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe fractures and even permanent disfigurement. Because the face is both functionally and visually important, injuries can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences.

How facial injuries occur in car accidents

Facial injuries in car accidents typically result from sudden impact, debris, or direct contact with hard surfaces. Some common causes include:

Airbag deployment: While airbags are designed to save lives, their forceful deployment can cause abrasions, fractures, and burns to the face.
Windshield and glass shards: If a driver or passenger is thrown forward, the face can make direct contact with the windshield or be lacerated by broken glass.
Steering wheel and dashboard impact: In frontal collisions, the driver’s face may hit the steering wheel, causing fractures and soft tissue damage.
Side-impact collision: A side collision can propel a victim’s head against the window or door, resulting in contusions, fractures, or deep lacerations.
Ejections from the vehicle: In high-speed accidents, an occupant who is not wearing a seatbelt may be thrown from the car, significantly increasing the risk of facial trauma.
Flying debris: Loose objects in a vehicle or debris from the road can become dangerous projectiles during an accident, leading to facial injuries.

How common are facial injuries in car accidents?

Facial injuries are among the most common types of trauma in car accidents. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a significant percentage of car accident victims sustain facial injuries, particularly in high-impact collisions. Common injury types that accompany facial injuries include:

Fractures: Studies show that over 50% of facial fractures result from motor vehicle accidents.
Soft tissue injuries: Cuts, bruises, and burns occur in more than 60% of car crash victims.
Dental injuries: Dental trauma, including broken or knocked-out teeth, occurs in approximately 20-30% of facial injury cases.
Eye injuries: Accidents can cause fractures of the eye socket (also called orbital fractures), corneal abrasions, and even blindness in severe cases.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Facial injuries often accompany TBIs, making medical assessment critical.

If you’ve suffered a facial injury in a car accident, contacting an experienced New Orleans car accident lawyer can make all the difference. A lawyer can handle the insurance company and explain all the legal options available to you, while you focus on your healing and recovery.

Types of facial injuries sustained in car accidents

Facial injuries from car accidents can vary in severity. Common types include:

Fractures

Nasal fractures (broken nose)
Orbital fractures (eye socket)
Zygomatic fractures (cheekbone)
Mandibular fractures (jawbone)
Maxillary fractures (upper jaw)

Lacerations and soft tissue injuries:

Deep cuts requiring stitches
Severe bruising and swelling
Burns from airbag deployment

Dental and oral injuries:

Broken, chipped, or knocked-out teeth
Jaw dislocations or fractures
Lacerations to the lips and gums

Eye injuries:

Retinal detachment
Corneal abrasions
Blindness due to impact trauma

Steps to take after sustaining a facial injury in a car accident

If you or a loved one suffers a facial injury in a car accident, taking immediate action is critical:

Seek medical attention: Even minor injuries should be evaluated by a medical professional to prevent complications or infections.
Document the injury: Take clear photos of facial wounds, swelling, and bruising as soon as possible after the accident.
Report the accident: File a police report and obtain an official record of the incident.
Gather evidence: Collect contact information from witnesses, take photos of the accident scene, and keep records of medical visits and treatment costs.
Consult a car accident attorney: An experienced attorney can help determine liability, assess damages, and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Legal options for victims of facial injuries in car accidents

If another party’s negligence caused your facial injury, you may be entitled to compensation. Legal options often include:

Personal injury claims: Victims can file claims against at-fault drivers, seeking compensation for medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation costs, and emotional distress.
Insurance claims: Most states require drivers to carry liability insurance. Victims can file claims with their own insurer or the at-fault driver’s insurance provider.
Product liability claims: If an airbag malfunction, seatbelt failure, or defective vehicle part contributed to the injury, victims may pursue claims against the manufacturer.
Premises liability (road hazards): If poor road maintenance or hazards contributed to the accident, victims may be able to file a claim against government entities responsible for road safety.
Wrongful death claims: If a facial injury leads to fatal complications, surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Compensation available for facial injury victims

Victims of facial injuries may recover various damages, including:

Medical expenses: Costs for emergency treatment, surgeries, reconstructive procedures, physical therapy, psychological counseling, cosmetic treatments, and possible long-term care.
Lost wages: Compensation for time missed from work and loss of future earning capacity.
Pain and suffering: Non-economic damages for physical pain and emotional distress.
Disfigurement and scarring: Additional compensation for permanent scars, loss of facial function, or emotional trauma associated with disfigurement.

The role of an attorney in facial injury cases

Navigating the legal system after a serious injury can be complex. A personal injury attorney can:

Investigate the accident and gather evidence to prove fault.
Negotiate with insurance companies to ensure fair compensation.
Work with medical experts to assess long-term impacts of the injury.
Represent the victim in court if a settlement cannot be reached.

Call an experienced New Orleans car accident attorney today.

Facial injuries from car accidents can be life-altering. That’s why it’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible. The Law Offices of John S. Williams can explain your legal rights and your options for seeking justice and compensation.

If you or a loved one has suffered a facial injury in a car accident, learn more about how we can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review the details of your crash and answer any questions you have. There’s no cost and no obligation.

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