Car Accident Face Injuries

A car accident can leave far more than just bruises—it can result in serious and sometimes permanent facial injuries that change a person’s life forever. Car accident face injuries can leave lasting physical scars, require reconstructive surgery, and cause profound emotional trauma and financial hardship.

The face, being one of the most exposed and vulnerable areas of the body during a motor vehicle collision, often bears the brunt of the impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, airbag, or broken glass.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we understand the devastating toll these car accident injuries can take. This page explains the most common facial injuries, how they happen, your legal rights under Illinois law, and why having an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer is essential for protecting your future.

How Car Accidents Lead to Facial Injuries

Facial trauma in a car accident usually occurs due to the violent forces involved in auto accidents. Some of the most common causes of facial injuries sustained in crashes include:

• Direct impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, or side door during a collision.
• Broken glass from shattered windshields or side windows causing deep facial lacerations.
• Deployment of airbags, which can result in facial burns, bruises, or abrasions due to high-pressure inflation and contact with a rough surface.
• Partial or complete ejection from the vehicle, often in high-speed crashes or when seat belts fail, leading to severe injuries to the face and skull.

Studies have found that facial trauma occurs in a significant portion of motor vehicle accident victims, especially when vehicles are struck at high speeds or involve rollover impacts. The front of the face—especially the nose, eye socket, upper jaw, and lower jaw—is particularly susceptible to injury.

The Most Common Facial Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents

Facial injuries can range from minor cuts to life-altering trauma. Below are the most common facial injuries we see in car accident cases:

Facial Lacerations

Deep cuts caused by broken glass or sharp vehicle parts can leave facial scars that require sutures, plastic surgery, or skin grafts.

Facial Fractures and Broken Bones

Bone fractures of the upper jaw, lower jaw, cheekbones, eye socket, and nasal bones are frequent. These can lead to permanent disfigurement, loss of function, or the need for reconstructive surgery.

Eye Injuries

Blunt trauma or flying debris can cause eye injuries, double vision, retinal damage, or even vision loss. These injuries often accompany facial abrasions or burns near the eyes.

Facial Burns

First-degree burns and more severe burn injuries can result from airbag deployment, hot fluids, or fires after a crash. Burns can damage skin, muscle, and underlying soft tissue and often leave disfiguring scars.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Tears or swelling in the muscles, nerves, and connective tissue of the face may affect facial expression, speech, or chewing ability, often requiring long-term medical treatment.

Dental injuries

Dental injuries include broken or knocked-out upper and lower teeth, fractured jawbones, and damaged dental structures that require crowns, implants, or complete oral restoration.

The Risk of Brain Injury in Car Accident Victims with Facial Trauma

When a person suffers facial injuries in a motor vehicle accident, there’s a heightened risk of a concurrent brain injury. The face and skull are closely connected, and trauma to one often affects the other.

Signs of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can include confusion, memory loss, nausea, slurred speech, head injury, dizziness, or loss of consciousness. Even mild concussions should be taken seriously, as untreated TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges.

A blow to the facial bones, especially in the eye socket or forehead, can transmit force to the brain. Early diagnosis, imaging, and treatment are essential. If you’ve suffered facial trauma, it’s important to work with both medical experts and a car accident attorney who can recognize the signs and help you pursue full compensation for the physical injury and neurological damage.

The Psychological Impact of Facial Injuries Resulting in Disfiguring Scars

Facial scars don’t just affect appearance—they impact mental health. Survivors of facial injuries may experience:

• A loss of confidence or negative body image;
• Social anxiety, embarrassment, or reluctance to engage in public or professional activities;
• Depression, isolation, or emotional withdrawal following trauma.

These effects are especially pronounced in younger victims, those in appearance-sensitive professions, and anyone who must undergo repeated reconstructive surgeries. A serious facial injury isn’t just a surface wound—it can alter a person’s entire sense of identity.

This is why Illinois courts allow victims to seek damages for emotional trauma and loss of enjoyment of life as part of a personal injury claim.

Medical Treatment Options and Rehabilitation for Facial Injuries

Facial injuries sustained in a serious car accident often require extensive, staged medical treatment, such as:

• Emergency Care: Immediate intervention may be needed in the emergency room to stop bleeding, stabilize fractures, or manage blocked airways caused by facial swelling or soft tissue injury.
• Surgical Procedures: Many victims require reconstructive surgery, including scar revision, bone realignment, or skin grafts. Plastic surgeons or oral and maxillofacial trauma specialists often coordinate care.
• Dental Restoration: Rebuilding the upper and lower teeth, replacing lost teeth, and repairing the jaw can require multiple appointments and coordination with oral surgeons and prosthodontists.
• Long-Term Rehabilitation: Recovery from facial wounds may include physical therapy, psychological counseling, and pain management. For those with severe trauma, ongoing care may be needed for years.

Legal Rights of Car Accident Victims with Facial Injuries in Illinois

Under Illinois law, car accident victims have the right to pursue a personal injury claim if someone else’s negligence caused their facial trauma. This means proving that:

• Another driver breached their duty of care (e.g., through reckless driving or speeding);
• That breach directly caused the accident;
• The accident resulted in serious injuries, including facial injuries resulting in measurable harm.

Victims must act within the statute of limitations—typically two years from the date of the motor vehicle accident (735 ILCS 5/13-202). If you miss that window, you may lose your right to compensation. A knowledgeable car accident attorney can help ensure your case is filed on time and built with strong supporting evidence.

Compensation Available for Car Accident Facial Injuries

Facial injuries from a car accident can lead to both physical and emotional suffering, along with significant financial burdens. If another party’s negligence caused the crash, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim.

Economic damages represent the direct financial costs related to your injuries and recovery, including:

• Medical expenses, including surgery and rehab;
• Cost of reconstructive surgery, dental care, and follow-up visits;
• Lost wages during recovery;
• Future lost earning capacity.

Non-economic damages account for the physical and emotional suffering you’ve experienced, such as:

• Pain and suffering;
• Emotional distress and trauma;
• Loss of enjoyment of life due to scarring or disfigurement.

In rare cases, such as those involving drunk or reckless drivers, punitive damages may also apply to punish egregious misconduct and deter similar behavior.

Challenges in Pursuing Claims for Facial Injuries

While the impact of car accident face injuries can be life-altering, proving the full extent of harm isn’t always easy. Victims may face:

• Disputes over the severity or permanence of scarring;
• Insurers downplaying the need for cosmetic procedures as medically unnecessary;
• Difficulty quantifying emotional trauma or disfigurement without expert testimony.

That’s why comprehensive documentation—including before-and-after photos, doctor’s reports, and psychological evaluations—is critical. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you present a complete picture of how the accident affected every part of your life.

Why You Need an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer

Handling a facial injury claim alone can lead to missed deadlines, lowball offers, or denied compensation. A qualified car accident lawyer can:

• Investigate the accident, gather police reports, and interview witnesses;
• Work with medical and psychological experts to assess the full extent of injury;
• Negotiate with the insurance company and push back against undervalued offers;
• Take your case to trial if a fair settlement isn’t offered.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we’ve recovered millions for accident victims with serious injuries, including those involving facial trauma. We know what it takes to build a strong case and get our clients the justice they deserve.

Consult a Car Accident Attorney Near You!

If you or someone you love has suffered facial injuries in a car accident, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to help. Our team offers free consultations, and we don’t charge a fee unless we win your case.

Let us fight for your right to proper treatment, compensation for disfiguring injuries, and the support you need during recovery.

Call us at (888) 424–5757 or fill out our contact form today to speak with a Chicago personal injury attorney who understands what you’re going through—and how to help you move forward.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.