Front-end collisions are among the worst due to the forces involved. Both vehicles may have been moving at speed, which increases the strength of the impact. In a frontal collision, it is common to see victims who have injuries to the face. This is because there is a risk of hitting the airbag, steering column or windshield, depending on factors like how significant the impact was and if a seat belt was being worn.
Injuries to the face are common and may lead to serious injuries such as:
- Broken eye sockets
- Fractured jaws
- Cheek fractures
It is also common to see lacerations and abrasions to the face. At a high speed, the shattered glass of an accident may hit the face, arms and other areas of the body, which then leads to cuts and wounds that may leave permanent scars.
What treatments are available for victims of facial injuries?
The treatments that are available will depend on the severity of the injuries. For people who have broken eye sockets or badly fractured bones, surgery might be necessary to stabilize the region and the structure of the jaw and skull. For those with severe lacerations due to glass or other debris, surgery may be needed to remove debris before stitching the damaged areas of skin shut.
When the airbag deploys, there is also a risk of burns and abrasions. For those, burn treatments may be necessary. Skin grafts might be used in the most severe cases.
These are just a few things to think about with facial injuries after a crash. Our website has more information on what to do if you’re involved in a collision as a result of another person’s errors.