Facial Injuries from Car Accidents in Queens, NY
Have you suffered facial injuries from a car accident in Queens that someone else caused? Whether your facial injuries take the form of broken bones, burns, or lacerations, they can have a significant effect on your life. You deserve compensation for the many financial and personal consequences you’ve suffered – and The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. wants to help you demand it. Contact us today for a free consultation with a skilled personal injury lawyer.
How Can Our Car Accident Attorneys at The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. Help with Your Case?
Recovering from a facial injury after a car crash is a long process that can be overwhelming enough on its own without adding the stress of a legal case. That’s where our Queens car accident attorneys come in. We’ll handle all aspects of your case while you focus on your recovery.
At The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., some of the ways we can help with your Queens car accident case include:
- Thoroughly investigating the case – We will investigate to identify all at-fault parties and collect the proof necessary to hold them financially liable for your injuries. This includes gathering evidence such as accident scene photos, medical records, traffic camera footage, eyewitness statements, and expert testimony.
- Calculating the value of your claim – Our team will determine a fair amount of compensation to pursue for your case. To establish the full extent of your losses, we will add up your crash-related expenses, such as medical bills and lost wages, and estimate the value of your pain and suffering.
- Handling insurance claims for you – As New York is a no-fault auto insurance state, you may have claims against both your own PIP insurance and the liability policy carried by the driver who hit you. We can manage the car accident claims process from start to finish.
- Negotiating with insurance companies – We will use our resources and negotiation tactics to try to come to an agreement on a settlement that covers all your losses. Our attorneys will advise you on any offer the insurance companies make and whether it’s a fair amount, but it will always be your decision.
- Taking your case to trial – If the insurance companies refuse to offer a fair settlement, we will be prepared to aggressively represent you in court. We prepare solid cases from the very beginning so that we’re ready to stand at trial and hold the at-fault parties accountable.
Compensation You Can Get for a Face Injury After a Car Accident
Facial injuries not only come with a major financial cost but a significant emotional toll, as well. Because of this, many car accident victims with facial injuries seek compensation for a wide variety of losses, including:
- Past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, medical treatments, prescriptions, physical therapy, and hospital stays related to the collision
- The income you lost while out of work recovering from your facial injuries
- The impact your facial injuries have on your ability to work and the income you will lose in the future because of it
- The physical pain and emotional suffering you experienced due to your injuries
- The emotional distress you continue to experience from the impact of your injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement sustained because of your injuries
- The impact your injuries have had on your quality of life
The compensation you can recover for your facial injuries will depend on factors such as the extent of your injuries and losses, the circumstances of the case, and the available insurance policies.
How Do Facial Injuries Happen in Car Accidents?
Car accident facial injuries occur in various ways, depending on the nature of the collision and other factors, like seatbelt use. Common causes of face injuries from car accidents include:
- Sudden momentum changes – When a vehicle stops suddenly during a crash, the driver or passenger’s face may strike hard surfaces, including the steering wheel, dashboard, or side windows.
- Impacts with airbags – While airbags save lives, they can also cause serious injuries to the face, including broken bones and burns.
- Broken glass – Shattered windshields and windows can cause broken glass to fly around inside the vehicle, leading to lacerations that may require stitches and result in permanent scarring.
- Dangerous debris – Other loose items and debris within the car can strike drivers and passengers in the head and face.
- Collisions – Side-impact and rollover accidents can throw vehicle occupants around or even outside of the vehicle, increasing the likelihood of severe facial injuries.
You may initially think you only suffered some light bruising. But as your adrenaline wears off, you may find that your injuries are more severe than you thought. Even a relatively low-speed collision can cause injuries. It’s always important to get checked by a medical professional after an accident.
Types of Facial Injuries from a Car Accident
A wide range of facial injuries can result from car wrecks, from mild to life-altering injuries. Many of these injuries require extensive medical treatment, potentially even reconstructive surgery. Here are some of the most common types of facial injuries sustained by car accident victims:
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries damage the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These injuries take various forms, including:
- Severe cuts and scrapes
- Deep bruising
- Road rash
- Swelling
While many soft tissue injuries heal over time, others may require surgery and cause scars. Even when these injuries heal on their own, they may take weeks. The pain and swelling can prevent you from working during that time. You may also experience depression and anxiety due to any scarring or disfigurement the injuries leave behind.
Dental and Oral Injuries
Dental trauma is common in collisions, particularly for those sitting in the front seats. Your mouth may strike the steering wheel, dashboard, or airbag, causing injuries such as:
- Broken or knocked-out teeth
- Jaw fractures or dislocations
- Tongue, lip, and cheek lacerations resulting in heavy bleeding
- Damage to dental implants, braces, and other dental devices
These injuries are often painful and require dental care, oral surgery, or implants, which can be expensive. Dental and oral injuries also frequently leave victims with emotional distress, as their appearance can be greatly affected.
Facial Burns
Burn injuries can be caused in various ways during a car wreck. For example, airbags can cause burns due to the hot gases they release when deployed and the friction. Vehicle fires can result from serious crashes, severely burning those trapped inside. Vehicle fluids can also cause chemical burns when they come in contact with the skin.
Facial burns can lead to scarring, disfigurement, and emotional trauma. They may also require skin grafts, depending on the severity of the burns:
- First-degree burns are considered superficial and should heal on their own.
- Second-degree burns penetrate the top layers of the skin and require additional treatment.
- Third-degree burns are serious injuries that penetrate all layers of the skin and cause damage to the underlying tissue, requiring significant treatment.
Another common danger of burn injuries is the risk of infection. The skin is one of the primary ways the body protects itself from infections, and burn injuries reduce its ability to serve this purpose.
Facial Fractures
There are several bones and cartilaginous structures that make up the face, which are prone to breaking in a motor vehicle accident. Some of the most common fractures caused by high-impact collisions include:
- Nasal fractures (broken nose)
- Zygomatic fractures (broken cheekbone)
- Orbital fractures (broken eye socket)
- Maxillary fractures (broken upper jaw)
- Mandibular fractures (broken lower jaw)
Fractures may require surgery, metal implants, and extensive recovery times. They may also cause permanent impairment, such as blindness or difficulty eating, which can significantly lessen a victim’s quality of life.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Not all facial injuries are visible, as is the case with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These severe injuries result from the brain striking the inside of the skull due to blunt force trauma, such as when car accident victims hit their head or face. TBIs can lead to:
- Facial paralysis
- Speech difficulties
- Cognitive impairments
- Coordination issues
While a mild TBI, like a concussion, may display symptoms for a few weeks before healing, more severe TBIs can cause long-term or permanent damage. For example, a severe TBI could result in permanent cognitive and physical impairment that requires a victim to have full-time care for the rest of their life.
Many TBIs don’t manifest symptoms immediately, as it takes time for the brain to swell. However, delaying treatment can also increase the risk of complications. Immediate diagnosis and treatment are essential for preventing lasting damage and long-term effects. That’s why you should always seek medical attention after a head injury or facial trauma.
Get Legal Help If You Suffered Facial Injuries from a Car Accident in Queens, NY
If you suffered facial injuries from a serious car accident in Queens, contact The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. for a free consultation. Our experienced Queens car accident lawyers will review your case, explain your potential sources of financial recovery, and discuss your options for pursuing maximum compensation. Don’t delay – call today.