Face Injuries After Car Accident in Long Island

When most people think about injuries caused by auto accidents, their minds likely go to things like broken bones or concussions. While these are fairly typical car crash injuries, many people also deal with other types of injuries – like those to their face. While these may seem like minor injuries, face injuries can often result in serious issues.

Face injuries are often caused by an impact with the steering wheel or other object, or by glass from a shattered windshield. They can include everything from chipped or broken teeth to fractures to scarring. A car accident settlement should include compensation for all aspects of your injuries – including the emotional distress that many people experience when they have permanent damage to their face from a collision.

At The Odierno Law Firm, we advocate for the rights of accident victims throughout Long Island. We offer free initial consultations and never charge a fee unless we recover money for you. Whether you have suffered a spinal cord injury or a broken nose, our New York car accident attorneys will fight for your right to full compensation.

Filing a Lawsuit for Face Injuries Caused by a Motor Vehicle Accident

If you were hurt in a motor vehicle accident caused by another driver, then you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover financial compensation for your losses. In most cases, these claims are based on a theory of negligence or carelessness. Sometimes, an accident is caused by intentional or reckless conduct – such as drunk driving.

Other drivers may be negligent in any number of ways. They might run a stop sign or a red light, drive at excessive rates of speed, or make a turn without checking to see that it is safe. They may also engage in distracted driving, fail to yield, or simply not pay full attention. If their carelessness caused your accident, then you may be able to hold them financially responsible for your injuries.

A car accident lawsuit starts with a free consultation with a personal injury law firm. During this meeting, you will have an opportunity to tell your story. A Long Island car accident attorney will then offer you legal advice and explain your options for pursuing a claim.

If you decide to hire the firm, they will begin to build a case. Typically, this includes investigating the accident itself to make sure that the responsible parties are held accountable. They may interview witnesses, request accident reports, consult with accident reconstruction experts, review your medical records, and analyze photos and videos of the accident scene. They will also research New York law and determine who else might be liable for your injuries.

The next step is to send a demand letter to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This letter contains three key parts: an explanation of what happened, the legal reason why their insured is responsible, and a demand for damages (compensation). The insurance company often responds to a demand letter with a counteroffer, kicking off the negotiation process.

Most personal injury claims are resolved outside of court. However, it is often necessary to file a lawsuit to preserve your legal rights. Doing so gives you more time to negotiate a fair settlement while learning more about the other side’s evidence through a process known as discovery.

A seasoned Long Island personal injury lawyer won’t simply take the first offer that the insurance company makes. They will advocate for your right to maximum compensation – and may even take your case to trial to get you the money that you deserve for your face injuries.

Compensation for Facial Injuries 

In a car accident case, you may be eligible for three types of damages: economic, noneconomic, and punitive damages. Economic and noneconomic damages compensate an injury victim for their losses. Punitive damages punish someone who acted intentionally or recklessly.

Economic damages pay for direct financial losses. It may include money for lost wages, property damage, reduced earning capacity, medical bills, and future medical expenses.

Noneconomic damages pay for intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, emotional trauma, scarring, and disfigurement. Noneconomic damages are particularly important in claims involving face injuries. While you may not need extensive medical treatment for a facial injury, it can impact the rest of your life – particularly if you have scarring or you can’t do the things that you used to enjoy doing because of your injuries.

Punitive damages are only awarded in more unusual cases that involve something more than negligence, such as a reckless driving accident. These damages don’t compensate a victim, but penalize someone who acted in a truly dangerous manner – like doubling the speed limit in a residential area. Punitive damages also have the goal of discouraging other people from doing similar things.

Insurers usually offer accident victims a lowball settlement in the hopes that they will accept it and sign away their rights. You should never talk to an insurance adjuster or sign any paperwork until you have had a chance to talk to a personal injury attorney. We will represent your best interests and work to make sure that you get fair compensation for your losses.

How Motor Vehicle Accidents Can Cause Facial Injuries

In a car crash, any part of your body might be hurt – including your face. This can happen in several ways.

One of the most common ways for people to suffer face injuries is by striking their face on the steering wheel, dashboard, or other part of the car (such as a side window).  Even with airbags, both drivers and passengers can suffer serious trauma to their faces. Remember that airbags deploy very quickly, and at a rate of up to 200 miles per hour (mph). If your face is near an airbag when it inflates, you may be injured by it.

In other cases, a motorist suffers a face injury after being ejected from the car – which often means going through the windshield. This can cause serious injuries both from the glass and from contact with the road. Motorcyclists also can suffer serious facial injuries from hitting the road in a motorcycle accident.

Sometimes, drivers and passengers are injured by debris and flying objects inside of the vehicle. This can include broken glass as well as any unsecured objects that are in the car. For example, if you have a heavy insulated water bottle in the cup holder or a purse sitting on the passenger seat, it could fly in the air and hit you in the face in an accident.

Finally, some people suffer burn injuries to their faces and other parts of their bodies if their car catches on fire or if they are exposed to chemicals in an accident. These injuries can often leave permanent scarring.

Types of Face Injuries Caused By Car Accidents

Motor vehicle collisions are one of the most common causes of facial injuries, particularly facial fractures. Common facial injuries associated with auto accidents include:

• Bone fractures, including broken noses. There are many different bones in the face, including the eye socket, the jaw (mandible), and the nasal bones. Any can be broken in a car crash.
• Lacerations or cuts, which may leave permanent scars.
• Eye injuries, including damage from flying objects or debris.
• Soft tissue injuries, which include damage to ligaments, tendons, muscle, and other connective tissues.  These craniofacial injuries can be difficult to treat.
• Burn injuries from fires, explosions, and exposure to chemicals. Burn injuries may require extensive medical treatment, including skin grafting.
• Dental injuries, including chipped or broken teeth.

After a facial injury, you may experience symptoms such as pain and tenderness, swelling and bruising, bleeding, numbness, and tingling. You may also have a difficult time moving your jaw or mouth or notice a change in your facial appearance. If you notice any signs of a facial injury, you should seek medical care immediately.

How Our Law Offices Can Help

To some people, facial injuries might seem like no big deal. In reality, injuries to the face can be life-changing – both physically and emotionally. If you have suffered any type of injury to your face in a Long Island motor vehicle accident, we will help you get the compensation that you deserve for your losses.

Based in Melville, The Odierno Law Firm works with clients in Suffolk County and Nassau County who have been hurt in all types of accidents. We work hard to help our clients get maximum compensation for their injuries, allowing them to focus on what is truly important – their health and well-being. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation with a Long Island car accident lawyer, give us a call at 631-994-1868 or fill out our online contact form. 

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