Traffic accidents happen dozens of times a day in California, and some cause injuries. One of the worst places to be injured is on your face. Facial trauma can be particularly devastating since the face contains a large number of nerve endings, which makes these types of injuries physically painful. Emotional trauma is common with these injuries too because people’s faces are often inextricably linked to their perceptions of themselves.
Symptoms of facial trauma
Because the windshield and steering wheel are both at and above chest level in a car, facial trauma is fairly common in motor vehicle accidents. Trauma to the face can include:
- Loss of feeling in some areas
- Broken or missing teeth
- Swelling, bleeding or fracture of the nose that makes it difficult to breathe
- Deformed or uneven facial bones
- Double vision
- Swelling or bruising around the eyes
Corrective surgery
Many facial trauma victims will receive surgery to correct any issues that the accident may have created. The goal of such surgeries will be to stop the bleeding and fix any bones that may have broken, resetting them to their normal anatomical position.
Surgery may also be needed to prevent scarring and prevent long-term issues such as double vision or breathing problems. It will usually be performed right away if no cervical or spinal fracture is present.
Surgery for people who suffer from these issues is usually very effective. In some cases, you may have to undergo a second procedure within six to 12 months. This may be needed in order to correct any adverse changes in appearance.