Sacramento Facial Fracture Lawyer

The soft tissue of the face is supported by the viscerocranium or facial bones. There are 14 bones that make up the facial skeleton. Some of the bones that form the viscerocranium are singular, while others are paired. This includes two inferior nasal conchae, two lacrimal bones, two nasal bones, one mandible bone, two maxilla bones, two palatine bones, one vomer bone, and two zygomatic bones. If there is a break in any of the facial bones, it is possible for a patient to experience minor or significant issues with various vital functions. Complex facial fractures require immediate medical treatment as any delay may be life-threatening and result in irreversible damage.

An accident is often the cause of facial fractures and disfigurement. When negligence was the cause of the incident, our personal injury lawyers in Sacramento may help recover fair compensation on your behalf. Get started today by calling (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.

After suffering facial trauma in a crash, it is essential to retain legal counsel with experience handling accident cases involving those types of injuries and successful results in that area. At AutoAccident.com, we have handled many personal injury cases arising from a wide array of accident types since 1982. When you entrust your case to one of our attorneys, you may rest assured knowing that it will be in good hands. Give us a call today to learn more about our services and schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team. We serve clients in Sacramento County and across California.

In the adult population, a nasal fracture accounts for more than half of all facial fracture cases. Blunt trauma to the midface is the most common mechanism of injury and is generally the result of a physical altercation, sports injuries, and traffic collisions.

The nasal bone and its vulnerability to injury may be attributed to its fragile distal structures and natural projection. Since the airway and midface are dependent on the structural and aesthetic support that the cartilage and bones of the nose provide, it is essential to seek medical treatment immediately after blunt trauma to the nose for the prevention of nasal airway obstruction and nasal deformity.

Facial trauma may be prevented through the following steps:

• Wear a seat belt when you are the driver or passenger of a motor vehicle
• When playing sports, be sure to wear a helmet and other protective equipment
• Use a helmet and other protective gear when operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or motorcycle
• Utilize protective headgear if it is required for your position of employment and follow all safety guidelines at work

The symptoms of a broken bone in the face will generally depend on which facial bone was fractured. The common signs of facial trauma may include but are not limited to bruising, pain, swelling, or tenderness in the face. Other symptoms may include double vision, difficulty breathing due to bleeding and swelling within the nose, uneven or deformed facial bones, and vision problems from bruising or swelling around the eyes.

A patient presenting with facial trauma is generally seen and treated by a physician in an emergency department. A doctor will generally perform a physical examination to determine:

• Abnormalities on the cheek
• Bleeding from the nose, mouth, or eyes
• Bruising around the eyes
• Changes in the movement of the eyes
• Improper alignment of the lower and upper teeth
• Irregularities of the face through palpations
• Lacerations in the skin
• Movement of the upper jaw with the head still
• Nasal blockage

The imaging modality of choice for diagnosing facial fractures is computed tomography (CT). It may provide detection and characterization of even the smallest of fractures and any accompanying complications in a quick and accurate method.

A physician may prescribe oral steroids to treat swelling and analgesics for pain relief. Antibiotics may also be prescribed if the patient is facing a high risk of infection. If the patient does not report relief with non-surgical management, surgery may be necessary.

Surgical management is generally reserved for a patient with facial trauma that causes a significant deformity or prevents normal functions. A broken bone in the facial skeleton may be treated through open reduction or closed reduction. For a patient presenting with a complex facial fracture, reconstructive surgery may be necessary.

The goal of surgery is to construct a clear airway, manage the bleeding, repair any fragments of broken bones, and prevent facial scarring, if possible. These are all essential for restoring the function and normal appearance of the affected areas. Surgical intervention is also necessary for ruling out other facial injuries and should be performed immediately if the patient is stabilized and is not presenting with a neck fracture.

Some of the possible complications that may arise from a facial fracture may include:

• Bleeding
• Double vision or loss of vision
• Facial disfigurement
• Infection
• Issues with the nervous and brain system
• Weakness or numbness

With any blunt trauma to the face, it is essential to seek medical care as soon as possible to prevent the risk of any complications.

After an incident resulting in bodily injury, an injured party may have the right to seek compensation for losses incurred. In the case of a motor vehicle collision or another type of accident, there is generally an insurance policy in place intended to cover economic and non-economic damages. In situations where the party responsible for the crash has little to no liability coverage, the claimant may have recourse through their insurer. This is possible so long as the injured party has uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

A bodily injury claim brought with the insurance company representing the at-fault party is usually intended to provide the claimant with the compensation they need to make them whole again. The same approach generally applies to first-party insurance claims as well. When an individual has suffered traumatic injuries such as facial trauma in an accident, they may seek the recovery of the following economic and non-economic damages:

• Past and future costs of medical treatment for injuries related to the incident
• Lost wages for the time lost at work to recover and attend medical appointments for accident-related injuries
• Loss of future earning potential if the claimant has serious injuries that have significant implications on their ability to work
• Lost enjoyment of life for the substantial disruptions an accident has had on an injured party and their way of enjoying a meaningful life
• Pain and suffering for the impacts that an injury has had on a claimant in terms of physical pain and emotional suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement for the adverse effects that a facial fracture has had on an injured individual and their self-image

No two personal injury cases are the same, particularly in accidents resulting in facial fractures. The settlement value of facial trauma will vary from case to case depending on the factors involved. Some of these may include the age, gender, and marital status of the claimant in addition to the location, severity, and permanency of the scarring or disfigurement. Expert witnesses are often retained to determine the lasting effects of disfigurement or scarring on a claimant.

The personal injury claims process for a claimant with facial disfigurement is often challenging and drawn out. That is because the insurance company will resort to any tactic to get out of paying a bodily injury claim, regardless of the severity of the injuries and damages incurred. That is why it is essential to retain legal counsel with years of experience handling accident cases like yours. Unlike the insurer, the injury lawyer handling your claim will know the best way to proceed when it comes to overcoming the various challenges that may present throughout the legal process.

When selecting the best lawyer to handle an injury case for a facial fracture, it is essential to find an attorney with the experience, skills, and resources necessary to obtain a successful resolution. Since such injuries are often serious, they may result in a tide of treatment costs that are often combined with wage loss from being kept out of work for recovery and attending medical appointments.

While it may be stressful and overwhelming to cope with facial injuries, an accident attorney may simplify the process by handling all aspects of the case to ensure the claimant has the time they need to focus on getting their life back on track. For more information on how to find the right personal injury lawyer for your case, watch this video.

At AutoAccident.com, our team of compassionate attorneys has been fighting to protect the rights and interests of injured parties and their families for over three decades. When you turn to us for legal representation, we will work diligently to obtain the successful resolution you deserve. If you have any questions on how we handle personal injury cases and what to expect from working with us moving forward, we are available anytime to meet you. Give us a call today to get started and receive free, friendly advice on your facial fracture case at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

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