When you think about the possible consequences of a car wreck, facial injuries may not immediately come to mind – but they’re very common.
In fact, motor vehicle accidents are among the top four causes of facial trauma. Some of the consequences of a wreck may include:
Soft tissue injuries and fractured facial bones
Soft tissue injuries include bruises, cuts and lacerations, and they’re commonly caused by flying debris from inside the vehicle, shattered glass and impact with airbags. While many are minor enough to heal with time, others may require a significant amount of plastic surgery to limit scarring.
Fractures, too, are common – with broken noses, eye sockets, cheekbones and jaws often being affected the most. The damage from these can permanently change someone’s appearance, leading to intense psychological trauma.
Dental trauma and TMJ
The impact of a wreck – and impact with a steering wheel or dashboard – can easily lead to dental injuries, leaving victims with missing, broken or cracked teeth. Not only can this be terribly painful, but it can require extensive amounts of restorative work at great cost.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is responsible for jaw movement, and a blow to the jaw, side of the head or around the ear can displace or injure this joint, leaving victims with jaw pain, trouble chewing and even difficulty speaking.
Even if you walk away from a car accident unscathed, it can still be a harrowing experience. When you’re injured, however, the damage from a wreck can be incredibly long-lasting. Learning more about your right to compensation is wise.