Car accidents are notorious for resulting in dental injuries. The passenger or driver may sustain a traumatic dental injury when their face slams into the dashboard, steering wheel, or windshield. Their injuries may be disfiguring, permanent, and cause chronic pain for the rest of their life. What are their options in these circumstances? They very likely have grounds to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. If the negligent driver’s insurance company refuses to honor their claim, they may have grounds for filing a lawsuit against the insurance company and negligent driver in order to recover their damages. A consultation with a car accident lawyer like one from Greenspan & Greenspan P.C. can greatly clarify their legal options based on the details of the accident.
Orthodontic care is often expensive, particularly in the wake of a catastrophic car accident that leaves the victim with one or more serious dental injuries. Depending on the nature and severity of the injury, they may need numerous treatments over a period of years. They may require braces, tooth or gum surgery, or need to have their jaw wired shut until such time as their body has recovered sufficiently to undergo surgery. Until they undergo an exam by an orthodontist, it’s impossible to know for sure the extent of their dental damages. Accordingly, it will be impossible for them to know the costs associated with their dental injuries until after the exam.
The Role of an Orthodontist
Orthodontists are dental specialists who treat patients with misaligned teeth, jaw issues, overbites, and other conditions. An orthodontist is a doctor who underwent years of post-graduate dental schooling. When an individual suffers extensive trauma to their mouth area, the affected teeth and gums may require orthodontic treatment to reverse the damage. Because they are specialists, general practice dentists may refer a patient to the orthodontist to receive care that other dental professionals are not qualified to provide. When seeking treatment prior to filing an injury claim, it’s important for the patient to save their receipts and invoices so that their lawyer can use that information to document the damages. The patient will also have to provide a release to the lawyer so that they can access the patient’s medical records for inclusion in the claim.
Common Dental Injuries Resulting from Car Accidents
As mentioned above, dental injuries are not uncommon among car accident victims. Though any number of injuries might occur that are dental related, some are more common than others. They include:
- Broken or fractured jaw
- Broken or fractured tooth
- Misaligned tooth
- Fractured tooth root
- Damaged braces
Proof of Liability and Damages
With the help of a car accident lawyer, a victim can present proof of liability, proof of injury, and proof of material damages to the at-fault party’s insurance company. The insight of a skilled lawyer is often invaluable. They can identify the full extent of damages suffered by the victim. For instance, they can determine if the victim has grounds to include pain and suffering related to the dental injury within the list of damages. After seeking medical attention from a dentist, you may wish to consult a car accident lawyer to learn more about your legal options.