On This page
    facial injuries and scarring

    Facial injuries and scars from car accidents can leave lasting effects on a person’s health, appearance, and confidence. These injuries often require long-term medical care and can lead to both physical and emotional challenges.

    When the face collides with a steering wheel, airbags, dashboard, or broken glass during a car crash can result in facial burns, fractures, severe pain, and permanent scarring or disfigurement that affects daily life.

    At Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our award-winning attorneys have been standing up for accident victims across South Carolina since 1968. If you have suffered facial injuries in a car accident caused by another driver, you’ve come to the right place. We know what it takes to win and will help you seek maximum financial compensation for your losses. For example, we recently helped a St. Stephen man secure $592,000 after he sustained a broken leg and facial injuries in a devastating T-bone collision. Cases like this reflect our commitment to helping clients recover the compensation they need to rebuild their lives after a crash.

    Why Legal Help Matters for Accident Victims with Facial Injuries

    Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers has represented people in South Carolina who have suffered facial injuries, broken facial bones, and other serious harm in car accidents. Our experience in personal injury law has given us a deep understanding of the medical, emotional, and financial challenges accident victims face.

    • Comprehensive Damage Evaluation: Our team works to ensure that every injury claim accounts for medical bills, lost income, physical pain, emotional distress, and future care needs.
    • Evidence Gathering: We collect accident reports, medical records, witness statements, photographs, and cutting-edge technology to build a clear and persuasive case.
    • Insurance Communication: We handle all communication with the insurance companies to protect clients from unfair settlement offers.
    • Medical Coordination: We help arrange medical evaluations to document the full extent of scarring, disfigurement, and functional impairment.
    • Case Preparation: Whether through settlement negotiations or trial, we prepare each case thoroughly to seek fair compensation.
    • Client-Focused Approach: Our clients have the support of a team of award-winning attorneys recognized as leaders in personal injury law. With 18 attorneys named to Best Lawyers in America and Ones to Watch, we bring proven experience to every case. We lead with compassion, knowing our clients are hardworking people who often feel outnumbered by powerful insurance companies, and we step in to level the playing field.

    How Car Accidents Cause Facial Trauma

    Car accidents and facial injuries often occur when a person’s face collides with a hard surface inside the vehicle or is struck by flying objects. The steering wheel, dashboard, or even an airbag can cause significant injury upon impact.

    While they save lives, airbags can also cause facial burns, bruising, or broken facial bones when deployed at high speed. Broken glass from windows or windshields is another frequent cause of deep cuts, facial lacerations, and lasting scars.

    Injuries in a car crash may also result from the force of the collision, throwing the occupant’s head forward or sideways. This can lead to fractures that affect the bones surrounding the eyes or the nasal bones, as well as orbital fractures. In more severe accidents, accident victims can suffer a broken jaw or facial trauma that requires surgical interventions to restore function and appearance.

    Some of the most damaging cases involve disfiguring scars or permanent scarring that cannot be fully corrected, even with reconstructive surgery. The recovery process can take months or years, and many victims are left with visible reminders of the accident.

    Common Facial Injuries in Car Accidents

    Here are the different types of facial injuries that accident victims sustain after a car accident:Facial Injuries

    • Minor Cuts and Lacerations: Often caused by broken glass or sharp edges inside the vehicle; may require stitches to prevent infection and reduce scarring.
    • Facial Fractures: Breaks to facial bones, nasal bones, or the eye socket can cause severe pain and functional problems.
    • Broken Jaw: Impacts from a steering wheel or dashboard can fracture the lower jaw, affecting speech, chewing, and alignment.
    • Nasal Fractures: A broken nose may lead to difficulty breathing and changes in facial structure if not treated promptly.
    • Soft Tissue Injuries: Bruises, swelling, and tissue damage can be painful and may hide deeper injuries.
    • Facial Burns: Heat, flames, or chemicals in a car accident can cause burns, including third-degree burns, sometimes requiring skin grafts.
    • Eye Injuries: Debris or direct impact to the eye socket can harm vision and require specialized care.
    • Multiple Injury Facial Trauma: Combinations of fractures, burns, and cuts often need urgent medical treatment and reconstructive surgery.
    • Orbital Fractures: Damage to the bones surrounding the eyes can affect movement, appearance, and vision.
    • Nerve Damage: Injuries to facial nerves may cause numbness, weakness, or difficulty speaking.
    • Permanent Scarring or Disfigurement: Even minor wounds can leave lasting scars if untreated, making early medical care essential.

    Emotional and Psychological Effects

    Facial injuries and scarring do not only cause physical pain. They often cause long-term emotional pain. People with permanent disfigurement may develop low self-esteem, avoid social situations, or feel uneasy in public. Post-traumatic stress disorder is common among accident victims, especially when the accident involved extreme cases such as severe burns or deep cuts.

    The emotional impact can also affect personal relationships and professional opportunities. Many victims report depression or anxiety related to their changed appearance. In addition, the trauma of the accident itself can cause sleep problems, flashbacks, and other psychological symptoms.

    An injury claim for facial trauma can include damages for these emotional effects, in addition to medical expenses and lost income. Documenting these challenges is important. This might involve keeping a journal of daily struggles, obtaining medical evaluations, and getting testimony from friends or family about how the injuries have significantly impacted life. Emotional and psychological recovery is just as important as physical healing.

    Filing an Injury Claim for Facial Injuries and Scarring

    If another driver’s carelessness caused these injuries, you may have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. Here are the steps on how to file an injury claims:

    1. Gathering Strong Evidence

    The claims process begins with collecting documentation. This can include police accident reports, photographs of the scene, medical records, and witness statements. These records help establish both fault and the extent of the injuries.

    2. Consulting Expert Opinions

    A car accident lawyer may arrange evaluations by medical specialists or plastic surgeons to show how the injuries will affect the victim’s future health, appearance, quality of life, and ability to earn a living.

    3. Considering Severe Injury Cases

    In situations involving permanent disfigurement, fractures that affect normal function, or lasting nerve damage, the value of the claim may be significantly higher due to the long-term impact on the victim’s life.

    4. Filing Within Legal Time Limits

    A law firm can ensure the claim is filed before the statute of limitations expires. Acting within the legal time frame is critical to preserving the right to recover damages.

    Settlement Negotiations and Litigation

    Many injury claims for facial trauma are resolved through settlement negotiations. A car accident lawyer will present evidence of medical expenses, lost income, physical pain, and the lasting effects of the injury. The goal is to reach a settlement that fully compensates the accident victim for all damages.

    If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the case may move to court. Litigation can take longer, but it may be necessary in extreme cases, such as third-degree burns, nerve damage, or injuries that leave permanent scars. In these cases, testimony from plastic surgeons or other medical professionals may be presented to show the need for future medical care and reconstructive surgery.

    The value of a settlement or court award depends on the severity of the injuries, the cost of medical treatment, available insurance coverage, and the impact on the person’s life. Lost income, ongoing medical care, and permanent disfigurement are factors that can increase compensation.

    FAQs About Facial Injuries and Scarring from Car Accidents

    Facial Injuries

    Can facial injuries from a car accident worsen over time if not treated immediately?

    Yes. Untreated fractures, lacerations, or burns can lead to infection, improper bone healing, or increased scarring. Delaying treatment may also result in long-term functional issues, such as difficulty breathing, chewing, or speaking. Early medical evaluation is essential to prevent complications.

    Are there non-surgical options to reduce the appearance of facial scars after a car accident?

    Yes. Depending on the severity and type of scar, treatments like laser therapy, steroid injections, microneedling, and silicone gel sheets can help minimize scar visibility. However, these methods work best when started under medical supervision soon after the wound has healed.

    Can dental injuries be part of a facial injury claim after a car accident?

    Absolutely. Broken, chipped, or knocked-out teeth are often considered part of facial trauma. Compensation claims may include the cost of dental repairs, implants, or reconstructive procedures needed to restore both function and appearance.

    How can I document facial scarring for an insurance or legal claim?

    You can take high-quality, dated photographs at multiple stages of healing, keep all medical and treatment records, and obtain written evaluations from medical specialists. A recovery journal describing daily pain, emotional struggles, and lifestyle impacts can also strengthen your claim.

    What role does a plastic surgeon play in a facial injury case?

    Plastic surgeons can provide specialized evaluations on the extent of injury, possible reconstruction options, expected outcomes, and long-term care needs. Their testimony can help establish the medical necessity for procedures and the projected costs for future treatments in a legal case.

    Talk to Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers About Your Case

    Facial injuries and scarring from car accidents can lead to permanent disfigurement and significant changes to your daily life. Whether you have sustained facial burns, a broken jaw, nasal fractures, or deep cuts from broken glass, you deserve the best lawyers that money can buy.

    Luckily, with our No Fee Guarantee, Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers represents victims across South Carolina with no upfront costs. Plus, you only pay us a lawyer’s fee if we win money for you. Since we also offer a free consultation, you can learn about your options without any risk or costs.

    Call (888) 324-3100 today to speak with our legal team. We can review your case, explain the process, and work to secure the financial compensation you need to move forward after a serious car crash.

    Contact us
    Attorney taking notes