Miami Facial and Skull Fracture Lawyer: Sean M. Cleary

Facial and Skull Fractures Following Car Accidents

One of the most devastating injuries that can occur in a motor vehicle accident is the fracture of the face or skull. The forward momentum can throw your head against steering wheels, dashboards, or windows, and can result in facial fractures, permanent disfigurement, neurological impairment, or life-altering complications. Our Miami law firm has extensive experience helping victims of these injuries, guiding them through the recovery process and fighting to secure the compensation they deserve.

We understand how overwhelming the physical, emotional, and financial challenges can be after such a traumatic accident, and we are committed to providing compassionate support every step of the way.

Types of Facial and Skull Fractures from Car Accidents

Car accidents can cause severe facial and skull fractures that require immediate surgery, including:

• Nasal Bone Fractures: Usually caused by collisions with steering wheels, dashboards, or airbags. These injuries can cause breathing difficulties and nasal deformities that may last a lifetime.
• Mandible Fractures: A fractured jaw will affect a person's ability to speak, eat, and function normally. Plates and wires are often needed to restore alignment and function after such injuries.
• Orbital Fractures: These injuries can cause headaches, double vision, facial numbness, and vision difficulties. These complex injuries often require reconstructive surgery in order to restore function and appearance.
• Zygoma Fractures: Cheekbone fractures can cause facial asymmetry, nerve damage, and difficulty opening the mouth. It is often necessary to perform surgery to avoid permanent disfigurement.
• Maxilla Fractures: Multiple bones are commonly involved in upper jaw fractures, including Le Fort fractures, which require extensive reconstruction.
• Linear Skull Fractures: A linear skull fracture is a crack in the skull bone that does not displace, but may indicate an underlying brain condition.
• Depressed Skull Fractures: Broken bone fragments that push inward toward the brain, resulting in brain damage and infection.
• Basilar Skull Fractures: This type of fracture causes severe head injuries, resulting in the loss of cerebrospinal fluid and nerve damage.

Common Causes of Facial and Skull Fractures in Motor Vehicle Accidents

The following types of motor vehicle accidents can cause devastating facial and skull fractures:

• Head-on collisions exert tremendous forces that thrust occupants forward, causing direct contact with steering wheels, dashboards, and windshields. Face injuries can result from sudden deceleration, even with airbags deployed.
• Side-impact crashes can lead to fractured skulls and traumatic brain injuries because occupants' heads may hit side windows or door frames during the incident.
• Rollover accidents cause multiple impacts to occupants as the vehicle tumbles, resulting in extensive facial and skull injuries, especially if occupants are ejected.
• Rear-end collisions can cause whiplash motion, which can result in facial impact with steering wheels and dashboards, especially when multiple vehicles are involved.
• Pedestrian accidents are potentially fatal due to the lack of protection pedestrians receive at impact and the additional injuries they can sustain when they hit the pavement.
• Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic facial and skull injuries, even when helmets are worn, due to high speeds and a lack of vehicle protection.

Damages That Can Be Recovered for Facial and Skull Fracture Victims

Fracture victims often suffer permanent scarring, disfigurement, and functional limitations as a result of these injuries. Treatment of facial and skull fractures caused by car accidents is often expensive and lengthy. We are committed to securing a settlement that addresses both immediate and long-term effects.

Car accident victims who sustain facial and skull fractures may be entitled to recover damages for:

• Immediate emergency care and surgical interventions
• Multiple reconstructive procedures and plastic surgery
• Specialized neurological care
• Dental repair and jaw reconstruction
• Eye treatment or surgery
• Psychological support for appearance-related trauma
• Job retraining and career transition assistance
• Future income loss from lasting impairments
• Disfigurement and permanent scarring damage
• Long-term pain relief medication

Facial and skull fractures often result in medical expenses and functional challenges. Due to the high value of these claims, insurance companies will aggressively fight to reduce payouts, often questioning the need for reconstructive procedures or the psychological impact.

Potential Complications and Recovery Challenges

During car accidents, facial and skull fractures can result in serious complications that affect every aspect of a person's life. Facial fractures can result in permanent deformities, chronic pain, difficulties eating or speaking, vision problems, and significant psychological distress because of the changes in appearance. A patient may need multiple reconstructive surgeries over several years to regain both function and appearance.

Skull fractures can cause life-threatening complications, including brain damage, leaks of cerebrospinal fluid, infections, seizures, and permanent neurological impairments. Intensive monitoring and specialized care are crucial for children at risk of complications.

These injuries have a profound psychological impact. Accident victims often suffer from depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal and require ongoing psychological support as a result of permanent changes to their appearance and function.