Facial injuries from a motor vehicle accident are some of the most devastating injuries a person can suffer. Beyond the pain, they can leave permanent scars, disfigurement, nerve damage, vision issues, and deep emotional trauma.

If someone else caused the crash, Illinois law allows you to pursue compensation for everything you’ve lost — medically, financially, and emotionally.

This guide explains:

• Common facial injuries from car accidents

• What treatment and recovery look like

• How much compensation facial injury victims can receive

• When to involve an attorney

• What to do before accepting any insurance offer

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What Are the Most Common Facial Injuries After a Car Accident?

Car crashes involve violent forces. Your face can strike the steering wheel, dashboard, airbag, window, or flying debris. This leads to a wide range of injuries.

1. Cuts, Lacerations, and Deep Facial Wounds

These are often caused by broken glass or metal. Many require stitches and leave permanent scars.

Visible facial scarring? Do not accept a quick settlement — the insurance company will undervalue it. Call us at (312) 739-0000 or CLICK HERE to begin your free case review.

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2. Facial Fractures

Including:

• Nasal fractures

• Cheekbone (zygomatic) fractures

• Jaw / mandible fractures

• Orbital fractures (eye socket)

• Mid-face fractures (Le Fort fractures)

These often require surgery, plates, screws, or long-term reconstruction.

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3. Eye Injuries & Vision Damage

Glass, debris, or airbag deployment can cause:

• Partial or total vision loss

• Corneal abrasions

• Orbital fractures

• Permanent cosmetic or functional deformity

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4. Facial Burns

Caused by:

• Airbag chemicals

• Fire

• Hot metal

• Explosions

Burns often require skin grafts and leave disfiguring scars.

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5. Nerve Damage

Injuries to facial nerves can cause:

• Loss of facial expression

• Numbness

• Tingling

• Difficulty blinking or smiling

• Long-term pain (neuropathy)

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6. Dental & Jaw Injuries

Including broken teeth, TMJ issues, and fractures requiring dental reconstruction.

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7. Internal Soft-Tissue Damage

Such as:

• Salivary gland damage

• Airway obstruction

• Deep tissue trauma

• Lingual injuries

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How Are Facial Injuries Treated After a Crash?

Treatment varies widely depending on severity:

• Emergency wound care

• Sutures / stitches

• Plastic surgery

• Reconstructive surgery

• Dental reconstruction

• Skin grafts

• Nerve repair

• Physical therapy

• Vision care

• Scar-reduction procedures (laser, grafts, revisions)

• Counseling for trauma or self-image issues

Many victims require multiple surgeries over years, which dramatically increases the value of the case.

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How Much Is a Facial Injury Claim Worth in Illinois?

Facial injuries and scarring cases often settle for much higher amounts than typical car accident claims.

Why?

Because compensation includes:

Economic Damages

• Emergency care

• Surgeries

• Plastic surgery

• Follow-up care

• Scar revision treatments

• Dental work

• Vision treatment

• Physical therapy

• Lost wages

• Reduced ability to work in the future

Non-Economic Damages

These often make up the largest part of a facial injury settlement:

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional trauma

• PTSD, anxiety, depression

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Scarring and disfigurement damages

• Altered self-image

• Social anxiety or isolation

• Loss of confidence

• Lifestyle limitations

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Factors That Increase the Settlement Value of Facial Injury Claims

Facial injury cases can become extremely valuable depending on:

• Visibility of the scars (face, forehead, lips, jawline)

• Disfigurement severity

• Need for future plastic or reconstructive surgery

• Permanent nerve damage

• Vision or hearing loss

• Occupational impact

• Your age

• Long-term emotional or psychological trauma

• Whether scarring affects social or work life

• Whether children are involved

• Gender (courts often assign higher value to facial scarring in women and children)

Victims with severe or highly visible facial injuries often qualify for significant settlements or verdicts.

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Do You Need a Lawyer for a Facial Injury Case?

Yes — especially if there is:

• Permanent or visible scarring

• A need for reconstructive surgery

• Nerve damage

• Vision issues

• Facial fractures

• Psychological trauma

• A disputed claim

• A lowball offer

Insurance companies fight facial injury claims aggressively because they know:

✔ Disfigurement = high case value

✔ Future surgery = high future medical damages

✔ Emotional trauma = increased noneconomic damages

A lawyer helps you calculate ALL damages — not just your medical bills.

Before you sign any insurance papers, call (312) 739-0000 or CLICK HERE for a free case review to make sure you’re not being lowballed.

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What To Do After a Facial Injury in a Car Accident

1. Seek immediate medical care

2. Document all visible injuries (photos, daily progress)

3. Save medical records

4. Do NOT talk to the insurance adjuster

5. Do NOT give a recorded statement

6. Do NOT accept a fast settlement

7. Contact a car accident lawyer early

Time matters — especially when scars are still forming and medical plans are unclear.

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🚗 Car Accident Facial Injury? Get a Free Case Review.

Facial injuries, scars, fractures, and disfigurement cases are often worth far more than victims realize — especially when they involve permanent changes to appearance or function.

Before you accept any offer, get a free evaluation.

FAQ: Facial Injuries and Scarring After an Illinois Car Accident

What are the most common facial injuries from a car accident?

Common facial injuries include cuts and lacerations, facial fractures (such as nose, cheekbone, jaw, and orbital fractures), burns, dental injuries, eye injuries, nerve damage, and soft-tissue damage. Many of these injuries can cause permanent scarring, disfigurement, or loss of function, and often require surgery or long-term treatment.

Are facial injury and scarring claims worth more than regular car accident cases?

Often, yes. Because the face is so visible and central to your identity, facial injuries and scarring cases frequently have higher settlement values than many other injury claims. Compensation may account for reconstructive or plastic surgery, visible disfigurement, emotional distress, and the long-term impact on your work and daily life.

How is compensation calculated for facial injuries after a car accident?

Compensation typically includes both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover medical bills, surgeries, scar-revision treatments, dental work, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. Non-economic damages address pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, emotional distress, anxiety, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life. An experienced car accident lawyer can help calculate the full value of your claim.

Do I need a lawyer if I have facial scarring or disfigurement from a crash?

If you have visible scarring, disfigurement, nerve damage, or need plastic or reconstructive surgery, you should speak with a lawyer before talking to the insurance company. Insurers often undervalue facial injury claims because they know how expensive they can be. A lawyer can protect your rights, coordinate expert evaluations, and negotiate for a settlement that reflects the true impact of your injuries.

How long do I have to file a facial injury lawsuit after a car accident in Illinois?

In many Illinois car accident cases, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, but there can be exceptions and shorter time limits in certain situations. Because evidence can disappear and deadlines are strict, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

What should I do if I suffered a facial injury in an Illinois car accident?

First, get immediate medical care and follow all treatment recommendations. Take photos of your injuries and healing process, keep copies of all medical records and bills, and avoid giving a recorded statement or signing anything for the insurance company. Then, contact an experienced Illinois car accident lawyer to review your case and discuss your options before accepting any settlement.

Injured in a Car Accident? Facial Trauma or Scarring?

Get a Free Case Review Today.

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