The eyes are an extremely sensitive part of our bodies. Though we don’t typically think to protect them while driving, eye injuries are common in car accidents. Though some eye injuries may only be minor or mild and can heal quickly or overtime, other are more severe and can lead to partial or total vision loss.
If you suffer from an eye injury after a car accident, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. The medical treatments needed could be costly, and you could even suffer a permanent impairment which could affect your ability to work. A personal injury attorney can help you file a claim and advocate for your rights to ensure you receive the full amount of compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering and to help cover any injury-related expenses. Knowing how to present the claim can make a huge difference in the outcome.
What Causes Eye Injuries in a Car Accident?
Your eyes can become injured in various ways when you are involved in a car accident. Some of the more common reasons the eyes become injured include the following:
- Blunt force trauma: If your head strikes the steering wheel or another part of the car, such as the dashboard or the door or window, it can damage the eyes. Also, unsecured items in the vehicle can get thrown around in an accident and strike you in the face.
- Airbags: Though airbags are meant to protect you in an accident, they can actually do the opposite in some situations. Airbags deploy with significant force, which can cause severe damage to the face, particularly the eyes. They are especially dangerous for shorter individuals whose heads are lower and closer to the steering wheel.
- Glass: Broken glass and other small particles can enter the eye and cause damage during a car accident. Even the smallest of particles in the eye can cause severe pain and possibly lose your vision.
- Complications from other injuries: In some cases, your eyes can get damaged indirectly from other injuries. Traumatic brain injuries and other types of head trauma, for example, can lead to complications that affect your eyesight.
Eye Injuries That Can Result From a Car Accident
The severity of the eye injury can vary depending on the circumstances and how exactly the eye became injured. Minor injuries can heal quickly within days, while more severe eye damage can take months to heal. In some situations, the damage may be irreversible
Common eye injuries that result from car accidents include:
Scratches, Lacerations, and Punctures
As mentioned above, glass and other particles can enter the eye during an accident which can cause tiny scratches or even larger lacerations. In extreme cases, objects can even puncture through the eye, which will likely result in loss of vision and even a complete loss of the eye.
Black Eye
Trauma to the eye can also cause bruising, which results in what is known as a black eye. Black eyes are generally considered minor injuries that do not affect your vision and heal relatively easily with little treatment required.
Orbital Fracture
Blunt force trauma to the face can cause the bones that make up the eye socket to break or fracture. Though these bones are quite strong and would require extreme force to break them, it is not uncommon for this to occur in severe car accidents.
Hyphema
Hyphema can occur when the eye suffers blunt force trauma, such as from an airbag deploying. This type of injury occurs when blood pulls in the eye’s anterior chamber, resulting in what looks like a bloody or red eyeball.
Retinal Detachment
The retina is the sensitive layer of tissues at the back of the eye that sends signals to the brain through the optic nerve. When you experience a blow to the head, the retina can become damaged and detach. When this occurs, you may experience alterations in vision and flashes of light.
Optic Nerve Damage
Traumatic brain injuries that result from car accidents can affect your optic nerves. For example, if the brain swells and bleeds, this can put pressure on the optic nerve, which can cause permanent damage and loss of vision.
Trust McCoy & Sparks—Premier Personal Injury Attorneys in Central Kentucky
Eye injuries that result from a car accident are not something you should ignore. Even the most minor injuries can lead to complications if not properly treated right away. If you suffer from an eye injury after being involved in an accident, a personal injury attorney can help you get adequate compensation to cover medical expenses and other damages, such as loss of income while you recover and emotional distress. McCoy & Sparks has experience handling cases involving eye injuries. We have handled cases involving something as simple as a scratch to those involving complete blindness.
Recognized as one of Central Kentucky’s best law firms for over a decade and counting, McCoy & Sparks works to help injured victims, representing thousands of clients in Central Kentucky with a focus on providing premium service and delivering superior results. Our goal is to develop a strategy that best serves your personal needs by drawing upon our courtroom skills to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Make the right call to (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our attorneys today.