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Car accidents can result in several physical injuries, but facial injuries can have long-lasting effects on a person’s physical and emotional well-being. Even if victims overcome the extreme pain of reconstruction and recovery, they may be left with scars that affect their appearance for the rest of their lives. If you have been involved in a car accident and have sustained facial injuries, it is essential to consult a Kentucky car accident attorney to address your losses.
Treatment for Facial Injuries After a Car Accident in Louisville
Facial trauma in car accidents is extremely common, with three out of every four crash victims suffering some facial injury. Debris and shattered glass often lead to lacerations and bruises, while sudden contact with the airbag, steering wheel, or dashboard can cause lost teeth and broken bones.
The proper course of treatment for a facial injury will depend on the type and the severity of the damage. Some of the types of treatment that may be necessary for facial trauma include:
- Medications. Patients may need anti-inflammatory drugs, blood thinners to prevent dangerous clots, narcotic painkillers, and tetanus shots or antibiotics to prevent infections.
- Immobility. A patient may need complete immobilization in a hospital bed to allow a shattered bone to heal. For example, a broken jaw may need to be wired shut for weeks, requiring a soft food diet and constant medical supervision.
- Skin grafting. Explosions, abrasions, or car fires can cause severe burns on a victim’s head, face, and neck. Skin grafting is almost always necessary for third-degree burns since the underlying tissues are destroyed.
- Reconstruction surgery. Broken noses are the most common type of facial fracture, followed by broken cheekbones. Patients may need reconstructive surgery to reset the bones or dental surgery to repair chipped or broken teeth.
- Plastic surgery. Facial injuries commonly need skilled plastic surgeons to close wounds and minimize scarring. Patients might need to undergo several cosmetic procedures depending on the extent of the damage, each one with its complications and recovery periods.
- Rehabilitation. Once a patient’s wounds have healed, they may need physical therapy to improve facial muscle responses or swallowing. Trauma counseling may also be necessary to help the victim come to terms with their altered appearance.
Other treatment options may be available, depending on the circumstances surrounding your injuries. However, you may need help to shoulder the financial burden. If someone else’s carelessness or recklessness was the cause of your accident, you could file a claim against an at-fault driver to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
Facial Injury Complications Could Lead to a Kentucky Personal Injury Claim
While minor facial injuries usually heal with time, some wounds to the face may not heal properly or refuse to heal at all. Complications can lead to further medical treatment, including extended time in the hospital, multiple surgeries, or ongoing follow-up care.
Persistent problems with facial injuries after a Louisville crash might include:
- Disability. Damage to the eyes can be life-altering, causing many complications, from blindness to dry eyes or problems blinking. Passengers who are ejected from the car through the windshield may suffer deep lacerations or brain trauma that causes permanent cognitive or physical limitations.
- Scarring. Stitches, glue, and other wound closures can leave permanent scars behind, while burned areas may show discoloration or rough texture on the skin. In addition to physical discomfort, scars can cause a person to feel self-conscious or embarrassed about their appearance.
- Disfigurement. Significant trauma to the skull can result in asymmetry (uneven facial features), sunken cheekbones, impaired mouth movements, or hair loss from severe burns. Disfiguring injuries can permanently affect a victim’s self-esteem and physical appearance.
- Nerve damage. Victims may experience weakness or numbness due to nerve damage or neurological difficulties from severe brain trauma. Many patients with brain swelling or nerve damage will need regular testing with X-rays or CT scans to determine if their condition is likely to improve.
Facial injuries can have a significant emotional impact on a person. The long-term effects can affect every area of a victim’s life, from their ability to socialize, return to work, or even go out in public. These injuries can also have an enormous financial impact on victims whose work involves face-to-face contact with customers or an audience.
Kentucky crash victims have limited time to file a claim for compensation under Kentucky’s statute of limitations. Considering what is at stake, it’s vital to learn your legal options sooner rather than later.