What are common facial fractures after a car accident?

On Behalf of | Sep 14, 2022 | Car Accident Injuries |

West Virginia residents who are involved in car accidents often find their lives changed. Injuries can occur, including facial fractures. These are the most common after a collision.

Orbital bone fracture

An orbital bone fracture occurs when the impact is directly to the area around a person’s eye. This type of injury can make it appear that the affected eye is sunken in. Double vision, sensation changes and pain are common symptoms of an orbital bone fracture.

Fractured jaw

A fractured jaw is very common after a rear-end or head-on collision when the impact is strong enough that it results in the victim’s face slamming into the steering wheel. This injury can result in swelling and pain of the jaw, bruising on the underside of the tongue and difficulty closing one’s mouth to make the teeth meet. If the upper jaw is affected, symptoms might include nasal discharge as well.

Cheekbone fractures

A cheekbone fracture can occur after a car accident. A person may have side effects such as pain, flatness of the affected cheek, vision problems, blood collection in the eye above the affected cheek, difficulty moving the jaw and sensation issues. This injury can occur when one side of a person’s face hits an object during a collision.

Broken nose

One of the most common types of facial fractures stemming from car accidents is a broken nose. If a person’s head is whipped backward and then slams forward into the steering wheel, a broken nose can easily occur. Injury symptoms include black eyes, swelling, pain and nasal discharge. It’s also common for the nose to bleed.

Some of these injuries are more likely to occur with occupants in the front seats of a vehicle. However, any type of facial fracture should get immediate medical treatment.