Facial and dental injuries occur when the face or mouth absorbs force during a car accident. In Birmingham car crashes, even properly restrained passengers can suffer fractures, lacerations, or tooth loss from airbags, steering wheels, or dashboard impact.
How Car Accidents Cause Facial and Dental Injuries
During a collision, sudden deceleration can throw the head forward or sideways. Seat belts restrain the torso, but the head and face continue moving until stopped by the airbag, steering wheel, or other hard surfaces.
Airbags deploy at high speed to prevent head trauma, but the impact can still bruise the face, break bones, or chip teeth. Steering wheel collisions, dashboard strikes, and shattered glass are common causes of injury.
Even low-speed accidents can cause serious facial trauma if the impact angle is unfavorable or the head is in a vulnerable position.
Common Types of Facial and Dental Injuries
Facial injuries after car accidents include:
- Fractures: Nose, jaw, cheekbones, or orbital bones. These injuries can affect breathing, chewing, and appearance.
- Lacerations: Cuts from broken glass or dashboard contact. Deep cuts may require stitches and can leave scars.
- Dental injuries: Chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth. Injuries may involve the jaw or gums.
- Eye injuries: Trauma to the eye socket or soft tissues surrounding the eye.
- Soft tissue bruising: Swelling and discoloration that can limit movement and cause pain.
Dental injuries often require immediate attention to save teeth and prevent long-term damage. Facial fractures may need surgery and months of recovery.
Symptoms That May Appear Later
Some injuries are not obvious immediately. Swelling, bruising, or nerve pain may develop hours or days after the accident.
Symptoms to watch for include:
- Pain or tenderness in the face or jaw
- Difficulty chewing or speaking
- Numbness in the lips, cheeks, or chin
- Loose, broken, or missing teeth
- Vision problems or eye pain
- Persistent swelling or bruising
Delayed symptoms are medically recognized and should be documented promptly.
Why Insurance Companies Dispute Facial and Dental Injury Claims
Insurers often argue that facial or dental injuries were pre-existing or minor. They may claim cosmetic concerns are not medically necessary or that dental injuries could have occurred outside the accident.
Visible injuries do not guarantee quick or full compensation. Insurance adjusters may attempt to minimize settlements by questioning treatment costs or claiming delayed symptoms indicate the injuries were unrelated.
Medical records, dental evaluations, and photographs are critical for supporting claims.
Diagnosis and Medical Treatment
Diagnosis typically begins with a physical exam. Imaging may include:
- X-rays for fractures
- CT scans for orbital or jaw fractures
- Dental X-rays for tooth and jaw damage
Treatment depends on severity:
- Sutures or staples for lacerations
- Dental procedures including crowns, root canals, or implants
- Surgery for fractures
- Pain management and antibiotics for infection prevention
Prompt care improves outcomes and helps establish causation for insurance claims.
How Facial and Dental Injuries Affect Alabama Car Accident Claims
Alabama’s contributory negligence rule increases the need for careful documentation. Injuries must be clearly linked to the accident.
Facial and dental injuries often affect appearance, eating, and speech, which may limit daily activities or work. Compensation can include:
- Medical and dental expenses
- Future treatment costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Cosmetic or reconstructive needs
Delayed or ongoing treatment should be included in claims to reflect long-term impact.
Why Legal Guidance Helps With Facial and Dental Injury Claims
An attorney can connect crash mechanics to specific facial or dental trauma, document delayed symptoms, and communicate with insurers.
Legal guidance protects injured individuals from low-ball offers or disputes over the necessity of treatment. Early legal involvement helps ensure that both immediate and long-term effects are considered.
Frequently Asked Questions About Facial and Dental Injuries
Q: Can airbags cause facial or dental injuries?
A: Yes. Airbags deploy rapidly and may bruise or fracture the face despite protecting the head.
Q: Are dental injuries always obvious immediately?
A: No. Pain, loosened teeth, or jaw injury may appear hours or days later.
Q: Can insurance deny facial injuries as pre-existing?
A: They may try, but medical and dental records can show the injuries resulted from the accident.
Q: Do all facial fractures require surgery?
A: No. Minor fractures may heal with conservative care, but more severe injuries often need surgical repair.