Car crashes are among the leading causes of facial injuries. When a car accident occurs, there is often shattered glass, which could cause cuts to the face. Striking the face against surfaces inside the vehicle such as the steering wheel or the door could lead to facial fractures. In some cases, being ejected from the vehicle could leave a person with major scarring and disfigurement.

Injuries to the face have different types of repercussions. While a broken leg or arm can be put in a cast, the face is often exposed even as it heals. Since our faces play such an important role in how we are perceived, suffering facial injuries can be devastating. Much of our communication and interaction with others depends on our facial expressions.

Survivors of car accidents who suffer facial injuries suffer physical pain. But, they also suffer significant emotional distress because of scarring and disfigurement. Fixing these scars may require costly and painful surgery. Even after these procedures, the individual may not return to their pre-accident state, which can be heartbreaking.

If you or a loved one has suffered facial injuries in a car crash, it is crucial that you speak with an experienced California car accident lawyer about your legal rights and options with regard to securing monetary compensation for your losses.

How Do Facial Injuries Occur in Car Accidents?

Facial injuries could occur in any type of car accident, be it a head-on collision, a rear-end crash or a T-bone crash at a street intersection. You may suffer facial injuries when you are thrown out of a vehicle fully or partially, when you are ejected through the windshield, when you are hit by flying objects, or when there is a vehicle fire as the result of impact. You may also suffer these types of injuries when you strike a surface inside the vehicle or when you are struck by a deploying airbag or shattered glass.

Types of Facial Injuries in Car Accidents

There are a number of facial injuries that could occur in car accidents:

Fractures of the face: There are a number of bones in the face that give it form and structure. These bones could break from the impact of a car accident. Examples of such injuries include a broken nose, a broken jaw or a fractured eye socket. Damage to facial bones could also lead to permanent disfigurement.

Injuries to eyes and teeth: It is also common to suffer broken teeth in a car accident, particularly if you hit your mouth against a surface such as the dashboard or the window. Flying glass could also cause you to suffer eye injuries. In some cases, individuals may lose their vision as a result of these injuries.

Open facial wounds: Victims may suffer abrasions, soft tissue injuries, friction burns and deep cuts to the face during a crash. Deep lacerations could cause lasting damage to nerves, tissues and muscles in the face.

Facial burns: Serious car crashes could also result in fires and explosions. A fire could result in the skin of the face being badly burned. Such injuries could require expensive skin graft surgeries. These injuries also result in scarring and nerve damage.

Medical Treatment for Facial Injuries

If you have suffered facial trauma in a car accident, you will likely require emergency treatment and care. Surgery is often necessary for facial fractures or tissue damage. Sometimes, several surgical procedures may be needed to correct facial disfigurement and to get the facial muscles functioning correctly.

Some victims may never recover fully even after undergoing surgery and treatment. This could lead to lifelong physical disabilities as well as psychological effects such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The cost of treatments and counseling could become staggering.

Compensation for Car Accident Facial Injuries

If you have suffered facial injuries in a car accident, you may be able to receive compensation for damages from the at-fault parties including:

Medical expenses: This includes all types of expenses relating to emergency transportation and treatment, doctor's office visits, hospitalizations, surgeries (including cosmetic procedures), ongoing procedures, expenses relating to specialists, medication, medical equipment, etc.

Lost income: You have the right to be compensated for income you lost as a result of the accident and the time you were unable to work because of your injuries. In addition, if the scarring or injuries permanently reduce your earning potential or render you unable to work, you should be compensated for that loss as well.

Loss of life's enjoyment: When you suffer permanent scarring and disfigurement, your life changes. You may not feel like socializing or participating in activities as you did prior to your accident. You have the right to be compensated for this loss of your ability to enjoy and experience life's gifts.

Pain and suffering: This refers to compensation for both the physical pain and the emotional suffering wrought by these types of serious injuries. Your California car accident lawyer will help you determine the value or worth of your case by carefully reviewing what you have endured in the aftermath of the crash.

We Can Help You Get Compensation for Facial Injuries

If you or a loved one has suffered facial injuries in a car accident, the experienced Los Angeles car accident attorneys at the Vaziri Law Group are here to help you understand your legal rights and options. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don't pay any fees or costs unless we secure compensation for you. Call us at (310) 777-7540 for a no-cost consultation and case evaluation.