When people worry about getting injured in a traffic accident, vision loss and other eye damages are not usually at the top of the list. However, it is extremely common for people to suffer eye injuries in a car crash.
Learn more about the types of eye injuries that may occur in a car crash and when victims may be able to seek compensation for the damages.
At Anderson & Cummings, we have extensive experience helping victims injured by the negligence of others. We also offer a completely free case review to discuss your situation and determine what legal options may be available to you.
Request your FREE case review today. (817) 920-9000
How Do Eye Injuries Happen in a Car Crash?
Eyes are extremely vulnerable and can be injured in any number of ways during a collision. Victims may experience swelling in the affected eye, pain and even vision loss that may be temporary or permanent.
Eye injuries may happen in a car crash when:
- Crash victims strike a hard object, such as the dashboard
- Flying debris strikes a victim in the face or eye
- Shards of broken glass or metal get transferred into the eye after a crash
- An airbag deploys and strikes a crash victim in the face at the wrong angle
- Head injuries affect a victim’s vision
- Violent shaking during the crash causes eye damage
What Are Some Common Types of Eye Injuries Crash Victims May Suffer?
Crash victims may sustain damages in one or both eyes during a collision, including these most common eye injuries:
Eye Lacerations
Pieces of glass, metal and other sharp objects fly around during a collision and could penetrate or cut the eye. In some cases, this type of injury could result in permanent loss of vision.
Corneal Abrasions
Flying debris could also cause a corneal abrasion. This happens when an object scratches the outer layer of the victim’s eye.
Orbital Fractures
Orbital fractures, which is the supportive bone that surrounds the eye, may get fractured if a crash victim strikes an object, such as the dashboard or steering wheel, hard enough during the impact. Sometimes, even an airbag deployment could cause this painful eye injury.
Chemical Burns
While less common during a car crash, it is possible that chemicals from the vehicle could unexpectedly spray a victim in the eye.
Retinal Detachment
One of the most serious types of eye injuries. Without immediate medical treatment to repair the damage, victims with retinal detachment could suffer permanent loss of vision. Retinal detachment can happen even if you do not bang your head on something or have an object hit your eye. Sometimes, just being violently shaken during the impact of a crash can be enough to cause the retina behind your eye to detach.
How Do You Know If You Suffered Any Eye Injuries In a Car Crash?
Pay attention to all of the symptoms you experience after a crash. These symptoms often accompany a head injury. However, they are also signs of a serious eye injury:
- Sudden onset of blurry vision
- Nausea and dizziness
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Light and/or sound sensitivity
- Sudden onset of chronic headaches
For retinal detachment, you could experience the symptoms already mentioned, as well as other symptoms that affect your vision. The most common symptoms include reduced peripheral vision and a curtain-like shadow going over your field of vision. You may also experience sudden flashes of light or see floaters in your field of vision. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should get to an eye specialist immediately. A retinal detachment is often repaired surgically, but it will not heal on its own and waiting to get treatment could leave you with permanent vision loss.
As scary as this type of injury is, it is important not to panic. However, you should seek emergency care from an expert ophthalmologist in your area right away.
Seeking Compensation for Your Eye Injuries
Medical treatment for any eye injury can be very costly, especially if surgery is required. After any car crash, we strongly recommend that you speak with a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as your injuries are stabilized.
You may be eligible to seek compensation for your medical costs and other damages, such as:
- Emergency medical care, including ambulance transportation
- Diagnosis to determine the exact injuries you sustained
- Surgical intervention and other medical treatment to stabilize your injuries
- Ongoing treatment to continue to aid the recovery of your eye injuries
Additional damages you may be eligible to recover could include compensation for pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life and more.
Did You Suffer Eye Injuries in a Car Crash? We Are Here to Help
At Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, you can count on having an attorney who is not only licensed but also knowledgeable. Our experienced vehicle crash lawyers in Fort Worth always seek the maximum possible compensation for our clients.
Injured in a crash, but worried about the costs? The good news is that we take injury cases on contingency. This means that if we represent you, there is nothing to pay us up front or while we manage your case. We do not receive our fees unless we get compensation for you.
Millions recovered for our clients. (817) 920-9000.