What to Know About Face Injuries in Car Accidents

Most people don’t expect a split second on the road to change their life, but for those who suffer facial trauma in a collision, that’s exactly what happens. Injuries to the face can be especially painful and emotionally distressing, often affecting how you look, speak, or eat. At O’Brien & Ford, we’ve helped many individuals in Buffalo, NY, dealing with the lasting effects of car accident face injuries, including fractures, deep lacerations, and permanent scarring. These aren’t just surface wounds—they can reshape your daily life, damage your confidence, and lead to expensive treatment. Our team is here to protect your rights and help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Understanding Car Accident Face Injuries

Facial trauma is one of the more common injuries resulting from vehicle collisions. According to MedlinePlus, facial injuries may involve any part of the face, including the jaw, cheekbones, eye sockets, nose, and forehead. They can occur from blunt force trauma, impact with broken glass, airbag deployment, or even flying debris inside the vehicle.

Injuries to the face may also lead to longer-term complications such as:

• Scarring or disfigurement
• Loss of sensation due to nerve damage
• Vision impairment
• Psychological trauma, including PTSD or body-image distress
• Traumatic brain injuries when the impact affects surrounding areas

Broken bones in the nose or eye socket, deep cuts, heavy bruising, and soft tissue damage are all common outcomes when the face is struck during a car accident. In more serious collisions, victims may also suffer burns or chemical exposure from airbags. Recovery can be complex, often requiring reconstructive surgery and long-term therapy to restore both function and appearance.

How Do Face Injuries Commonly Occur During a Car Crash?

Face injuries typically happen due to direct impact with hard surfaces inside the vehicle. Drivers and passengers may strike the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, side windows, or airbags during a collision. Loose objects inside the car can also become dangerous projectiles.

Other causes may include:

• Shattered glass making contact with the face
• Head movement during sudden braking or rollovers
• Deployment of airbags, especially at close range
• Ejection from the vehicle during high-speed crashes

Types of Facial Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Car accidents don’t just cause broken bones—they can affect every layer of the face, from the skin to the underlying structure. The type of injury often depends on the nature of the impact and what part of the vehicle or debris makes contact with the face.

Soft Tissue Damage to the Face After a Collision

Cuts, abrasions, and deep lacerations are some of the most common soft tissue injuries. These may result from sharp objects, flying debris, or contact with broken glass. In many cases, scarring is permanent, especially if stitches are required or the wounds become infected.

Additional complications may include:

• Infection or swelling of open wounds
• Nerve damage in the cheeks, lips, or forehead
• Reduced facial movement or sensation

Facial Fractures Resulting From Car Accidents

Blunt force from a car crash can easily cause fractures to delicate areas of the face, including the nose, cheekbones (zygoma), jawbone (mandible), and eye sockets (orbits). These injuries are not only painful but may also impact basic functions like chewing, speaking, or even breathing.

Common symptoms of facial fractures include:

• Difficulty chewing or speaking
• Bruising around the eyes
• Nosebleeds or swelling
• Facial asymmetry

These fractures often require imaging, such as CT scans, and may involve surgical intervention to restore structure and function.

Contusions and Bruising From Impact

Bruising, also known as contusions, occurs when blood vessels beneath the skin rupture due to trauma. While minor bruises often heal on their own, more severe contusions can indicate underlying tissue or bone damage.

Warning signs of deeper injury include:

• Severe pain or swelling
• Discoloration spreading to the neck or shoulders
• Visual changes or difficulty opening the eyes

Treatment Options for Car Accident Face Injuries

Treatment for facial trauma depends on the type and severity of the injury. Minor injuries may heal with rest and topical care, while others require surgical repair and rehabilitation. As noted by MedlinePlus, CT scans are commonly used to evaluate facial injuries because they provide clear imaging of bone structure and soft tissue damage.

Common treatment options for car accident face injuries may include:

• Stitches or wound closure for cuts and lacerations
• Plastic or reconstructive surgery for structural damage
• Pain management and anti-inflammatory medication
• Physical therapy to restore muscle control or nerve function
• Long-term cosmetic treatments for scarring or disfigurement

For children, treatment must also consider future growth. Facial reconstruction must accommodate the child’s development to avoid long-term complications.

Who Is Responsible for Paying Medical Costs After a Facial Injury in a Car Crash?

In New York, liability for medical expenses related to car accident injuries depends on several factors, including fault, insurance coverage, and the severity of the injury.

Here’s how the process typically works:

• No-fault insurance in New York covers initial medical costs regardless of who caused the accident
• If facial injuries are serious and meet the threshold, you may be eligible to file a claim against the at-fault driver
• Serious injuries include disfigurement, bone fractures, or any condition that results in significant disability

Facial injuries sustained in a car crash can lead to significant financial and personal hardship. Victims may be eligible to recover compensation for medical bills, missed wages, pain and suffering, ongoing treatment, and long-term care. It’s best to speak with a qualified personal injury attorney to understand your options and determine who may be responsible.

Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer About Your Facial Injury Claim

Some injuries change more than your health—they change how you live your life. After a serious crash, it’s not unusual to feel overwhelmed by hospital visits, insurance forms, or time away from work. For those dealing with visible damage, the experience can be even harder. At O’Brien & Ford, we work with people across Buffalo, NY, who are recovering from car accident face injuries. Our job is to step in, take on the legal stress, and fight for the financial support you’ll need to move forward. Call 716-222-2222 or stop by our office at 4549 Main St Suite 201, Buffalo, NY 14226, to get started.

Chris O’Brien

Chris O’Brien is a nationally recognized personal injury attorney with over 30 years of experience fighting for accident victims in Western New York. A founding partner at O’Brien & Ford, he has helped recover millions for clients and built a reputation as a top trial lawyer and educator. Chris is a Diplomate of the National College of Advocacy, a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and was named one of Western New York’s Top Ten Lawyers by Buffalo Business First. He lives in Amherst with his family and their Bernedoodle, Moose.

Years of experience: 33 years
Practice areas: Personal Injury Law, Car Accidents
Location: Buffalo, New York