Maxillofacial Injuries in Car Accidents
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer. Over the past few decades, there have been significant pushes to try and improve the overall safety of motor vehicles. Some of the advances include backup cameras, lane-keeping assist, and even cross-traffic alert systems. Despite these many advances, serious accidents still occur resulting in significant injuries, including damages to the maxilla and facial structure. Facial fractures can present numerous challenges for the individual because of the critical structures that rest in that region. Some of the essential body parts include:
- Nerves, such as the mandibular nerve, maxillary nerve, and trigeminal nerve.
- Facial arteries and veins.
- Bones that make up the orbit.
- Parts of the eye, including the globe, retina, and iris.
- The trachea and esophagus.
- Essential glands, such as the thyroid and parathyroid.
Whenever someone suffers a facial fracture, these structures always have the potential to be damaged. Even though people have a seatbelt to restrain their body, no such protection exists for the head. Therefore, people are always at risk of sustaining a head or facial injury in a car accident. Recently, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to determine where and how these injuries occur in a car crash.
A Detailed Study: Maxillofacial Injuries in Car Accidents
A team of experienced researchers conducted a detailed review of all of the maxillofacial injuries that were presented to their local hospitals. They looked at a span of five years and did a complete chart review. The study found that:
- About 20% of the injuries were due to car accidents.
- Injuries in men were significantly more common than women.
- About a quarter of patients sustained soft tissue injuries of the face.
- About three-quarters percent of people suffered damaged to their teeth, gums, or mouth.
- About two-thirds of individuals had sustained jaw fractures.
- Most of the injuries occurred in people who were the driver.
- Most of the patients were either teenagers or young adults.
Related Articles
- Face and Jaw Pain
- Dental Pain and Auto Accidents
- Severe Eye and Facial Trauma in Auto Accidents
- Closed Head Injury and Maxillofacial Trauma
Car Accident Lawyers in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer. Sustaining a maxillofacial injury can have a devastating effect on anyone. If you or someone you love has suffered injuries to the face or jaw in a car accident, please call me at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400. I am available to offer friendly, free advice.
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Image Attribution: The photograph at the beginning of this page was seen first on Unsplash. The photo has been shown at this location with permission.
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