Many people assume that dental injuries are not as serious as other types of injuries. It is true that many dental and mouth-related injuries are not considered life-threatening or severe. Nevertheless, dental injuries can cause significant pain, lost work time, and ongoing dental expenses. When a dentist negligently causes an injury to a patient, the patient has a right to pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. The patient can file a lawsuit against the person or people liable for their dental injuries in order to obtain damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Dental Injuries are Common in Personal Injury Accidents
Dental injuries can be overlooked when a person becomes seriously injured in an accident. For example, suppose a drunk driver collides with a mother who is taking her children to school. The car accident is a head-on collision. She suffers a traumatic brain injury, a broken leg, broken ribs, and a torn spleen. In addition to these serious injuries, she also suffers damage to her jaw. Several teeth are damaged. The forest involved in motor vehicle accidents can lead to severe head injuries that easily knock out a person’s teeth, cause a person to bite his or her own tongue, or even break a person’s jaw. All of these injuries are a form of dental injuries.
What Types of Accidents Cause Mouth and Dental Injuries?
Every victim of a personal injury accident has a unique case and unique set of circumstances. Personal injury accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, including mouth and dental injuries. Each personal injury case is different and each patient will have a unique set of injuries that will need to be treated. There are some trends when it comes to what type of accidents cause certain types of injuries, however. when it comes to dental mouth injuries, the following types of personal injury accidents are common causes:
- Motor vehicle accidents including car accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and truck accidents
- Slip and fall accident
- On-the-job accidents, including construction accidents
The Long-Term Impact of Dental Injuries
A dental injury involves damage to someone’s teeth and the bone and muscle structure that supports the teeth. Even though many dental injuries are not threatening and are pushed to the side while doctors treat other more severe injuries, they can be painful and debilitating. Dental injuries often require a dental surgeon, costly dental treatment, and recuperation. Many times victims cannot eat solid food while they are recuperating and are in severe pain, making it difficult if not impossible for them to engage in their day-to-day activities. Dental surgery, tooth replacement, reconstruction, and medication are all costly. Many Americans do not have dental insurance, or their dental insurance will not cover all of the significant costs associated with dental injuries.
Common Dental and Mouth Injuries Caused by Personal Injury Accidents
Most often, dental injuries involve some type of trauma to the face and head. Usually, a person who suffered serious dental injuries also suffers head, back, or neck injuries. For example, whiplash, spinal cord injuries, and head injuries are common in people who suffer significant dental injuries. Mouth injuries can occur inside and outside of the mouth. Many people have Mouse and dental injuries that require treatment.
Sometimes injuries to the mouth can be more difficult to treat because they involve the inside and outside of the mouth. Mouth injuries can also be more extensive and involve more treatment in severely injured patients. Even in milder mouth injuries, the healing process can be extremely uncomfortable, debilitating, and painful. Some of the most common dental and mouth injuries involved in personal injury lawsuits include the following:
- Avulsed teeth
- Fractured teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Scratched teeth
- Broken jaws
- Damage to the tongue
- Damage to the facial muscles
- Severe contusions
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Puncture wounds
Contact an Experienced Dental Injury Attorney
Have you or your loved one suffered a dental or mouth injury that has caused you significant pain? If so, you may be entitled to compensation. At Heninger Garrison Davis, our experienced personal injury attorneys understand how painful and debilitating dental and mouth injuries can be. We will be happy to sit down with you to discuss all the details of your case and your options for seeking compensation. depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain, and suffering. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.
