Car accidents happen every day in the Bay Area and throughout California, leaving people seriously hurt. Many victims suffer facial injuries that are painful and traumatic. These injuries are very common – one study found that more than half of car crash victims during a 15-month period suffered facial trauma.
Facial injuries can happen in different ways during a collision. Broken glass or debris can strike the face. A person’s head could make contact with the steering wheel or another hard surface. A person not wearing a seatbelt could be ejected from the car onto the ground. Or a person’s face could be struck when an airbag is deployed.
A serious crash can happen in seconds
Common types of facial injuries suffered in accidents include:
- Cuts and lacerations – These can result in disfigurement, such as permanent scarring, and cause a drastic change in appearance.
- Broken bones – There are 14 bones in the face, such as those in the nose, around the eyes, above the cheeks, and in the jaw. Fractures can be painful and may require surgery. While your teeth are not bones, it's also common for crash victims to chip or break a tooth or have a tooth get knocked out from the impact of the collision, which may result in you needing expensive dental surgery.
- Burns – If there was a fire in your accident, you could suffer burns to facial tissue, resulting in scarring and disfigurement. Skin grafts and other types of reconstructive surgery may be needed.
- Eye injuries – If the eyes are struck by debris, a victim may experience partial or total blindness. This can affect a victim’s ability to drive or work in the future.
Facial injuries in a crash can have a physical, emotional, and financial impact. Injuries can be painful and require extensive medical treatment. Disfigurement can lead to a loss of self-esteem and other emotional difficulties. Medical expenses, including reconstructive surgery, can become overwhelming.
If you suffered a facial injury in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, you deserve financial compensation for your injuries. But recovering compensation can be a complicated process.
The at-fault driver may have been speeding, operating recklessly, texting, or driving drunk. But negligent drivers often deny doing anything wrong. Insurance companies, driven by money, will dispute your claim because they want to pay you as little as possible. They may question the seriousness of your injuries or try to blame you for what happened.
A car accident attorney can fight for the compensation you deserve
That’s why you need an experienced car accident lawyer on your side. At Clancy & Diaz, LLP, our attorneys know how to build strong cases and fight to get the results our clients need.
We investigate to get the facts by gathering evidence, reviewing accident reports, and interviewing witnesses. We review your medical records to determine your needs to help you recover as much as possible from your injuries.
Our lawyers fight for the best possible outcome. This may include compensation for all current and future medical expenses for treating your injuries, lost wages if you couldn’t work, and other damages such as pain and suffering and emotional distress.
We know the tactics that insurance companies use to minimize compensation and how to fight back. Many times, we are able to negotiate a settlement that meets your needs. But if the insurance company won’t agree to a fair settlement, we are not afraid to fight for our clients in court.
If you’ve been injured in a crash in Walnut Creek, Antioch, or anywhere in the Bay Area, contact us to schedule a free consultation with a car accident attorney who will fight for you throughout every step of the process.