Your face is important to how others recognize you and how you see yourself. When it is severely damaged, the trauma can be long-lasting and deeply personal. Suffering car accident facial injuries due to someone else’s negligence is not only physically painful, but it can also be emotionally and psychologically devastating for victims and their families. The aftermath often involves more than just a trip to the emergency room. It can include extensive surgery, emotional counseling, and long-term care.
At Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, we understand how difficult this time can be. From navigating medical bills and insurance claims to finding the right specialists for treatment, you may feel completely overwhelmed by your situation. That is why we are prepared to step in, not just as your legal advocates, but as your partners in recovery. We fight for the full and fair compensation our clients deserve.
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Common Types of Car Accident Facial Injuries
Whether you were hit head-on, rear-ended, or struck while on foot or bicycle, your face is often one of the first parts of your body to come into contact with steering wheels, dashboards, windows, airbags, or debris. Some of the most common car accident facial injuries include:
- Lacerations and abrasions—caused by glass, metal, or sharp objects;
- Facial fractures—e.g., broken nose, jaw, cheekbones, and orbital bones;
- Dental injuries—knocked-out or fractured teeth and damaged gums;
- Burns—friction, chemical, or fire-related burns from the crash or airbag deployment;
- Soft tissue damage—including contusions, torn muscles, and even facial degloving from a car accident, which is a rare but severe condition where the skin is forcefully separated from the underlying tissue;
- Nerve damage—resulting in facial numbness after a car accident, which may be temporary or permanent; and
- Disfigurement or scarring—especially on visible areas such as the cheeks, lips, and forehead.
These injuries are more than just physically painful. They can also drastically affect your emotional health, professional life, and personal relationships. You deserve the best treatment available to have the best chance at meaningful recovery.
The Emotional and Psychological Toll of Facial Injuries
Crash victims who sustain car accident facial injuries often experience shame or social withdrawal, especially when they feel their appearance has changed permanently. Visible scars, swelling, or deformities may lead to anxiety, depression, PTSD, or body image issues.
Those who undergo facial reconstruction surgery after a car accident may need to go through multiple procedures to restore function and appearance. The recovery process is rarely linear and can take months or years, and true healing often includes additional support such as counseling or psychiatric care. Understanding these long-term effects is critical when calculating the compensation you are owed.
Legal Pathways to Compensation in New York
New York has a no-fault insurance system, which means that your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance is responsible for covering basic medical expenses and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the accident.
Unfortunately, your PIP coverage may not be enough. When your injuries are serious, involving disfigurement, permanent impairment, or extended recovery time, you may be able to seek recovery outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Facial trauma generally qualifies as a “serious injury” under state law, especially when it leads to long-term consequences such as:
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement,
- Loss of facial mobility or sensation, or
- Long recovery periods that prevent normal activities.
Under these circumstances, you may be eligible to seek compensation for a much broader set of damages, including those not covered by no-fault insurance.
Damages You Can Recover for Car Accident Facial Injuries
At Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, when we represent you, we focus on the full scope of recovery. That includes both economic and noneconomic damages. The exact amount and type of damages you may be eligible for depend on the unique circumstances of your accident and injuries. Here are some examples of what could be available:
- Medical expenses—emergency room care, hospital stays, specialist visits, prescriptions, and ongoing treatment;
- Surgical costs—including cosmetic and facial reconstruction surgery after a car accident;
- Rehabilitation and therapy—both physical and mental health services;
- Lost wages—for time missed at work, and future income if your ability to work is impaired;
- Pain and suffering—physical pain, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life;
- Loss of consortium—for the impact your injury has had on relationships and intimacy; and
- Scarring and disfigurement—compensation for facial scars from a car accident, especially when they are highly visible or cause psychological harm.
Because facial injuries often affect both bodily function and appearance, courts and insurers may treat them differently from other types of injuries. Our experienced attorneys understand how to evaluate the full emotional and physical weight of your claim and work so that it is communicated.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Unfortunately, some injuries result in permanent conditions. Survivors may struggle with facial numbness after a car accident, making it difficult to smile, speak, or eat. Others may deal with lingering nerve pain, sinus issues, or migraines. In severe cases, like facial degloving from a car accident, victims may be left with lifelong disabilities that require significant modifications to daily life.
Insurance companies, even your own, often attempt to undervalue claims related to facial injuries, particularly when the damage is cosmetic or difficult to quantify. Do not let them diminish your experience. Remember that once you accept a settlement, you cannot go back and ask for more. This is why it is crucial to understand the full value of your claim.
Our firm has extensive experience handling complex facial trauma cases, and we do not rely on assumptions; we gather medical evidence, expert testimony, and real-life impact statements to prove the full extent of your losses.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery with Greenspan & Greenspan
If you or someone you love has suffered car accident facial injuries from a car accident, now is the time to get the legal help you need. You deserve more than just a check from an insurance company; you deserve a path to healing.
Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers has decades of experience guiding and supporting New York residents in the wake of catastrophic accidents on the road. Since our founding in 1959, we have made it our mission to make high-quality and diligent legal advocacy accessible for victims across the state.
Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation. Let us manage the legal process so you can focus on your recovery, your future, and your peace of mind.
