Brain Injury from a Jaw Fracture
I’m Ed Smith, a Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento. Whenever someone gets into a car, there is always a risk an accident can happen. Whether it is a severe multi-car pileup or minor fender benders, an injury can still occur. Some of the statistics surrounding injuries and auto accidents include:
- In frontal car accidents, about 90% of the injuries occur in either the chest or the head area.
- In T-bone accidents occurring on the same side as the individual, about two-thirds of the injuries take place in the head area.
- Over 3,000 people are killed in car accidents per day globally.
- Car accidents have been projected to become the fifth-leading cause of death worldwide by 2030.
- Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens and young adults.
These numbers should help highlight the severity of car accidents and the injuries that accompany them. One type of injury that is often overlooked is a maxillofacial injury. While not considered vital organs, such as the heart or lungs, the bones of the jaw have a significant impact on someone’s quality of life. Sometimes, when facial or jaw fractures occur, serious complications can result. A recent case report discussed this very issue.
A Case Report: Brain Injury from a Jaw Fracture
A case report was published describing a severe traumatic injury that a young man suffered in a car accident. He was driving down the highway when he swerved out of the way of an oncoming obstacle. His car was turned sideways and sustained a direct impact on the driver’s side door. This led to numerous head and facial injuries. Emergency medical personnel quickly stabilized him and transported him to a hospital. He received many medical scans which diagnosed him with a variety of facial fractures as well as a severe fracture and dislocation of his jaw. Furthermore, the scans revealed that his jaw had been dislocated in the anterior direction. Part of a bone had slid up into a region of the brain called the temporal fossa. He was taken to an operating room to repair his injuries. Fortunately, his mandibular nerve remained intact avoiding a potentially severe complication.
Quality of Life: Jaw Repair
When someone has a broken jaw, it can be a challenge to perform daily activities. Like other bone fractures, the jaw will have to remain still while the bones heal. This means that the jaw is typically wired shut. Specific activities that people could have trouble with include:
- Eating
- Swallowing
- Talking
It can be troubling for people to have to eat through a straw for several weeks. Furthermore, much of the facial structure comes from the jaw. This means that when the jaw is repaired, people may notice slight differences in the appearance of their face.
A Lawyer Can Help
When someone has sustained severe injuries in an auto accident, they should seek medical care as quickly as possible. After this, meeting with a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento can help a family review the various circumstances of the accident, ensuring that no detail has been missed.
Related Articles
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento. If you or someone you care about has suffered a jaw injury in a car accident, call me at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400. I am happy to offer free, friendly advice.
I am honored to be a trial attorney in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Everyone can read our verdicts or settlements.
All of my guests are invited to look at Yelp, Avvo and Google to see reviews from past clients.
Photo by Unsplash.
:dr cha [cs 632] cv