Car accidents happen every day in Columbus and throughout Ohio. They happen on major highways, at busy intersections, on back roads and in parking lots. Lives can be changed in seconds. No matter how cautious someone is, it only takes one negligent driver to cause a crash that can leave people seriously injured.
People can suffer many different types of injuries in a collision. One common type is facial injuries. How common? A study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine reviewed the cases of 461 accident victims who were treated at a regional trauma center over a 15-month period. Researchers found that over half had suffered facial trauma.
How do facial injuries happen?
These injuries can happen in different ways during a collision. A person’s face can be cut by broken glass or other debris flying through the inside of the car. A driver’s head could be thrown against the steering wheel or another hard surface during impact. Someone’s face could be struck by an airbag. In some cases, if someone in the car was not wearing a seatbelt, they could be thrown out of the car and onto the ground.
There are different types of facial injuries as well. They include cuts and lacerations that can cause disfigurement, including scarring. There may be broken bones, including bone fractures in the nose or jaw, above the cheeks and around the eyes. Some victims suffer burns to facial tissue if the vehicle caught on fire. Others have eye injuries, including partial or total blindness from flying debris.
Facial injuries can affect victims physically, emotionally and financially. Medical treatment may be needed, as well as pain medication. Victims may need reconstructive surgery to repair scarring or other disfigurement. They may need hospitalization or physical therapy. Medical expenses can add up fast.
What causes car accidents? Often, they are the result of negligent drivers. This includes speeding drivers and reckless drivers. It includes texting drivers and drivers distracted in some other way. Other times, drunk drivers cause serious accidents or fall asleep at the wheel. Whatever the circumstances, injury victims have rights. But getting justice can be hard. That's why people who suffer serious facial injuries in a car accident should consult with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Holding negligent drivers accountable
If you suffered facial injuries in an accident caused by a negligent driver, you deserve financial compensation. But the process can be complicated. Negligent drivers often refuse to admit they did anything wrong and won’t accept responsibility. They might even claim you somehow caused the crash.
Insurance companies should help. Instead, they often only focus on the bottom line. To keep profits up, they often try to keep payments down. As a result, they will likely try to pay you as little as possible for your accident-related expenses. They may question the seriousness of your injuries. Or they’ll make a lowball settlement offer, hoping you’ll just take it and go away.
Attorney Scott Elliot Smith of Smith Law Office has been fighting for the injured in the Columbus area for decades. He knows how to investigate accidents and gather evidence proving the other driver was negligent. He knows the tactics used by insurance companies to minimize claims and how to fight back to recover the financial compensation you deserve.
Get an experienced car accident attorney on your side. Contact attorney Scott Elliot Smith today to schedule a free consultation.
