Connecticut drivers might be interested in some facts about one type of injury that can result from a serious car accident. In severe cases, an injury to the jaw can require surgery and lengthy recovery time in order to completely heal.
When a person experiences trauma to the face during an auto accident, one common result is a broken or dislocated jaw. A broken jaw means that the jawbone has been fractured, while a dislocation means that the bone has moved out of position at either one or both of the joints. When a person’s jaw has been broken, common symptoms include bruising and swelling of the face, bleeding inside of the mouth and difficulty opening and closing the jaw. With a dislocation, the person will often have difficulty speaking or have a feeling that their bite is not correct. They may also have pain in the side of the jaw that is dislocated.
Without proper treatment, a person with a broken jaw could suffer complications like infections, bleeding and difficulty talking and eating. When a broken jaw is moderately serious or worse, surgery might be required. The person’s jaw may need to be wired for as long as two months, meaning they must eat only soft foods and liquids during that time.
A jaw injury is just one type of serious injury that can result from car accidents. In cases where a distracted or drunk driver was responsible, an attorney may be able to help. The attorney may be useful in assessing the evidence and bringing a civil lawsuit against the negligent driver or their insurance company. This may result in compensation for pain and suffering and other damages incurred in the crash.
Source: Scripps, “Jaw – broken or dislocated,” Accessed April 13, 2015
