Key Points of this Article
- Car accidents can result in broken jaws and facial trauma, possibly leaving victims with great physical and emotional trauma as well as high medical expenses and potential loss of wages or earning potential.
- If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident resulting in a broken jaw or facial trauma, seeking the help of a skilled lawyer can be essential in receiving the compensation you deserve
- Contact the experienced Maryland car accident lawyers at Zirkin & Schmerling Law today to discuss your case and explore your options for compensation.
Car accidents can result in various types of injuries, and one type that is often overlooked is jaw and facial trauma. Facial trauma – like broken jaws, dislocated jaws, dental injuries, etc. – can cause severe pain, discomfort, and long-term consequences for victims. Beyond the physical injuries, these types of injuries can also lead to emotional distress, disfigurement, and scarring.
If you or a loved one has suffered a broken jaw injury in a car accident, you can seek compensation for the damages. This compensation can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs. However, navigating the legal process and determining the appropriate compensation can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event.
In this blog post, we will explore the different types of jaw and facial injuries resulting from a car accident and discuss the average settlement for a broken jaw. We will also advise what steps to take after an accident and highlight the importance of seeking legal representation to ensure fair compensation. Understanding your rights and options allows you to focus on your recovery and move forward from the accident with the necessary support.
Common Types of Broken Jaws and Facial Injuries from Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause a range of jaw and facial injuries, including:
- Fractured Jaw: A break in the lower or upper jawbone that can cause pain, swelling, difficulty eating and speaking, and potential complications if not treated properly.
- Dislocated Jaw: When the jawbone becomes unhinged from the skull, it can cause pain, difficulty closing the mouth, changes in the bite, and potentially lead to nerve damage or chronic pain.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Cuts, bruises, and lacerations to the face can result in scarring, disfigurement, and psychological trauma.
- Dental Injuries: Chipped or knocked-out teeth can cause pain, difficulty eating, and cosmetic concerns, while untreated injuries can lead to infection and potential tooth loss.
- Eye Injuries: Corneal abrasion, retinal detachment, or other eye injuries can cause vision problems and permanent damage.
- Broken Nose: A common result of car accidents that can cause breathing difficulties, chronic pain, and other complications if not treated properly.
Understanding the different types of injuries and broken jaw symptoms that can result from a car accident is crucial in determining the compensation that victims may be entitled to. Victims may suffer physical and emotional pain, incur medical expenses, lose wages due to time off work, and may require rehabilitation or broken jaw surgery to recover from their injuries. Seeking legal representation can help victims receive the compensation they deserve and hold responsible parties accountable for their actions.
Compensation for Broken Jaws and Facial Injuries
Victims of a broken jaw car accident may be entitled to compensation – payment or remuneration for harm suffered – for various expenses and losses. The following are some of the compensation types that may be available to victims:
- Medical Expenses
- Emergency Medical Treatment: Victims of car accidents with jaw and facial injuries often require immediate medical attention. Expenses for emergency medical treatment often include ambulance services, emergency room care, and/or diagnostic testing.
- Hospitalization and Surgery Costs: If the injuries are severe, the victim may need hospitalization and surgery to treat the injuries. These costs can be significant as they may include hospital fees, surgeon fees, anesthesiologist fees, and other related costs.
- Follow-up Care and Rehabilitation: In the case of severe injuries, sometimes follow-up care, physical therapy, and/or rehabilitation may be required.
- Lost Wages and Income
- Time off Work: Victims with jaw and facial injuries may require time off work to recover as their injuries may prohibit them from performing the job, thus resulting in a loss of wages and income. This is a financial strain that should not be the victim’s alone to shoulder.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity: In severe cases, the victim may experience a permanent disability, affecting their ability to work in the future. In such cases, compensation may be available for the loss of future earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering
- Physical Pain: Jaw and facial injuries can result in severe physical pain, which can last for an extended period. Victims may be entitled to compensation for the physical pain caused by the injuries sustained.
- Emotional Distress: The impact of jaw and facial injuries can go beyond the physical pain and affect the victim emotionally, manifesting as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Disfigurement and Scarring
- Severe jaw and facial injuries can result in disfigurement and scarring. Compensation may be available for these injuries, as they can cause long-term effects on the victim’s self-esteem and confidence.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident Resulting in Broken Jaws and Facial Injuries
If you have sustained jaw and facial injuries in a car accident and wish to pursue compensation, gathering evidence documenting the injuries is vital and best done by a professional attorney. What do we mean by evidence? Examples are police reports, witness statements, photographs of the accident and injuries, and medical records. Seeking immediate medical attention is the next step for your health, but the documentation you receive from medical professionals will help your case in the future.
Once your physical injuries have been treated, the next step is to consult a personal injury attorney with experience with car accident cases involving jaw and facial injuries. An attorney can help establish liability and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
As every case is unique, a knowledgeable attorney must carefully review each case to determine the compensation for future medical expenses, lost wages, and ongoing pain and suffering. An attorney can guide you through the settlement process, considering these long-term costs, and provide the necessary support for your recovery. With their expertise, they can ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Our most critical piece of advice is to avoid accepting a settlement without legal representation. Without an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney, you risk accepting an offer that may not fully compensate you for your expenses and losses. Additionally, once you accept a settlement offer, you typically cannot revisit the case later for additional compensation.
Contact a Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer
Seek legal representation if you or a loved one have suffered jaw and facial injuries from a car accident. Contact the experienced Maryland car accident lawyers at Zirkin & Schmerling Law today to discuss your case and explore your options for compensation. With their expertise in handling car accident cases involving facial trauma and broken jaws, they can help you get the compensation you deserve. Visit our website here to schedule a free consultation.