Eyesight is considered one of the most valued senses. Vision is essential for our mobility and safety in our surroundings, communication to interpret non-verbal cues, productivity in the workplace, and overall quality of life. Given the importance of eyes and sense of sight, protecting the eyes from injury in an accident is essential. The effects of ocular injuries may be traumatic and lasting. Medical care should be sought promptly for any vision problems following a crash involving blunt eye trauma from airbag deployment, broken vehicle glass, and other objects coming into contact with the eye.

Blunt trauma from airbag deployment in a motor vehicle collision has the potential to cause ocular injuries. If you suffered an eye injury due to a car crash or another type of accident, contact our legal team at AutoAccident.com and receive free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

Our California personal injury law firm aims to provide compassionate guidance and obtain successful results for our clients. When you contact us for assistance, you can expect our legal team to work diligently to ensure maximum compensation. We have decades of combined experience handling personal injury cases, including those involving ocular trauma. With our team of experienced and knowledgeable attorneys by your side, you will have peace of mind knowing that your case is in good hands. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn more about our services.

The effectiveness of airbags is dependent on seat belt use during traffic collisions. Case studies have reported that seat belts combined with airbags have been found to decrease the incidence of injury and death in adults. However, a wide array of ocular injuries related to airbag deployment has been documented in clinical literature. Following is a list of eye injuries induced by airbag deployment:

• Corneal Abrasion: Case studies have reported that approximately eight percent of all eye presentations in primary care settings are composed of corneal abrasions. This injury is characterized by erythema, photophobia, and significant discomfort due to a defect in the epithelial surface of the cornea. Most corneal abrasion cases are due to trauma. However, these injuries, such as dry eyes or degenerative corneal diseases like neurotrophic keratitis, may occur spontaneously.
• Globe Rupture: Globe ruptures are characterized by a disruption in the integrity of the outer membranes of the eye, which include the sclera, cornea, or both. A rupture of the eye globe may occur due to primary mechanisms, including rupture from blunt trauma or due to laceration, perforation, and penetration. Blunt trauma from sharp objects is a common cause of globe ruptures among adults involved in workplace accidents and motor vehicle collisions.
• Hyphema: The most common cause of hyphema is blunt trauma. An injury to the trabecular meshwork, ciliary body, iris, and respective vasculature may occur from blunt eye trauma due to anteroposterior compression. The anterior chamber of the eye may experience an accumulation of blood due to the shearing forces from blunt ocular trauma. Hyphema occurs when red blood cells accumulate in the anterior chamber, the front area of the eye, between the iris and the cornea.
• Retinal Detachment: Blurred vision may occur when the retina is detached from the back of the eye. This condition is known as retinal detachment. The most common causes of a detached retina include aging or blunt trauma to the eye. Those at risk of retinal detachment include people aged 50 and over, family history of detached retina cases, prior eye surgery, myopia, previous serious eye injury, and patient history of eye disorder or disease, such as lattice degeneration.
• Vitreous Hemorrhage: This condition is characterized by an accumulation of blood in proximity to the vitreous cavity of the eye. In patients aged 40 and younger, trauma is the most common cause of vitreous hemorrhage. It is found to occur more in males than in their female counterparts. Vitreous hemorrhage from blunt trauma may be associated with vitreous base avulsion, optic nerve avulsion, commotio retinae (Berlin’s edema), choroidal rupture, and retinal dialysis.

If you sustained ocular injuries from airbag deployment in a traffic collision, reach out to our legal team at AutoAccident.com. Our knowledgeable California personal injury lawyers are available anytime to review the specific details of your eye trauma case and provide free, friendly advice. We proudly offer multilingual services and operate on contingency.

Personal injury cases involving ocular trauma are often challenging to navigate. It is not uncommon for insurers and defense counsel to dispute liability for an accident or claim that reported injuries, like eye trauma, are unrelated to the incident. In such circumstances, it is helpful to retain legal counsel to handle your case and protect your rights. Some key qualities to look for in an attorney to represent you in an ocular injury case include the following:

• Free Case Evaluation: A free consultation is helpful in learning more about your options for financial recovery after a traffic collision. If you are unsure if you want to move forward with taking legal action, you can consult with an attorney who can review your eye trauma case, answer your questions, and explain how they can help you seek financial recovery for your medical bills, lost earnings, and other accident-related losses.
• Contingent Fee Agreement: After getting injured in a car wreck, the least of your concerns should be the costs of legal representation. It is helpful to know that injured parties can hold negligent parties accountable with the assistance of a lawyer that works on contingency. A contingent fee arrangement means clients do not have to pay attorney’s fees unless their lawyer secures a successful result. In other words, no costs of legal representation are due upfront or out of pocket.
• Experience and Knowledge: An attorney with years of experience handling personal injury cases will be well aware of insurers’ defense tactics and will develop effective strategies to overcome such challenges. The right lawyer will be well-versed in California personal injury law and apply their knowledge to determine the best course of action. Look for a lawyer with a track record of successful results to support their knowledge and experience in cases like yours.
• Independent Investigation: Blunt eye trauma cases require thorough investigations to establish liability and the extent of damages incurred. More than one party may be held liable for an accident, like a manufacturer. An attorney and their team of experts will examine a motor vehicle and determine if any defects caused an ocular injury, such as faulty airbags and failure to uphold federal regulations on crashworthiness. From there, a lawyer will build a strong products liability case against a manufacturer.
• Communication and Negotiation: An experienced attorney will be a strong communicator who can state the facts of the case, present legal arguments, and prepare demand letters to send to insurers and defense counsel. The right attorney will have experience negotiating with difficult insurance companies and securing favorable resolutions on behalf of their clients. They will also lend a listening ear, address concerns, and answer any questions the client may have regarding their case.

To understand your rights and options for financial recovery as a party injured in an accident, consult with a knowledgeable California personal injury attorney with experience in the type of ocular injury you have had. A skilled lawyer understands what steps must be taken to prove your eye trauma case, how to evaluate the damages and build the strongest case possible for maximum compensation. Watch this video to learn how our legal team can help you with your case.

Acting quickly after getting hurt in a motor vehicle collision is essential due to the legal time limits involved in personal injury cases. These deadlines are known as the statute of limitations. Claimants generally have a maximum of two years to file a lawsuit in civil court, according to the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. This serves to protect the statute. Some exceptions may apply, such as the involvement of a government agency. Such cases are subject to a six-month deadline. Failure to file the matter in civil court within the time limit may result in losing the right to seek compensation.

Here at AutoAccident.com, we are focused on helping injured parties obtain justice and full compensation from parties who have caused accidents through negligence. Our legal team understands the lasting consequences that an ocular injury from a car crash may have on an individual and their family. Please do not hesitate to contact our injury attorneys to discuss your eye trauma case and receive free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We are committed to obtaining successful results through verdicts and settlements, and we can do the same for you and your case.

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