Facial injuries, also known as maxillofacial trauma in medical terms, are common in car accidents. Depending on the strength and the nature of the impact, you can suffer from mild facial injuries or permanent scars and disfigurements.
The question many victims ask us is whether or not they can obtain compensation for these injuries. The short answer is yes, but you will benefit greatly from speaking with an experienced St. Louis auto accident attorney who can understand the implications of these injuries and can get you a fair settlement.
Common Face Injuries in Car Crashes
According to a study by Dr. Brian T. McMullin from the Medical College of Wisconsin, there were over 167,000 car occupants that suffered facial injuries, out of all the crashes included in the data.
The most common types of maxillofacial injuries were:
- Broken nose
- Disfigurement
- Lacerations
- Airbag burns
- Jaw dislocations
- Soft tissue injuries
Diagnosis of maxillofacial injuries can be challenging because the region tends to swell up and bruise intensely, which can mask the true extent of the damage. Soft tissue injuries are not easy to evaluate either. A car accident victim should do everything to get medical assistance as soon as possible and keep records of their medical conditions and the progress of their injuries.
Immediate medical attention is needed in case of facial injuries to determine the depth of the injury and to prevent possible infections of fractures and other complications.
Because of the close proximity with the central nervous system, the respiratory and the digestive systems, maxillofacial injuries should be considered serious injuries, no matter how mild the impact was. The psychological aspect of suffering from facial trauma is also very important, as it can have a big impact on someone’s quality of life.
What Should Be Compensated in the Case of Facial Injury?
Face injuries are some of the hardest ones to accept and deal with, because they are always visible, causing a lot of emotional distress to the victim. If the person will have scars or disfigurement for the rest of their lives, the pain and suffering it causes can be significant. Relationships might also suffer damage and even working might be impossible.
Depending on how great the impact of the injuries is on the victim’s life, a settlement can be negotiated to cover economic and non-economic damage.
A car accident victim should start collecting evidence for their claim as early as they possibly can. Taking photos of the cars, the scene of the accident and the injuries, talking to eye-witnesses and getting a medical evaluation are the first things one should do.
Speak With a Auto Accident Lawyer
Working with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney is essential in face injury cases, as they can often obtain a higher settlement by negotiation or by litigating with the insurance company. They also have a better idea of what complications can be expected or what tactics might be used by the insurance company to lower the settlement.