My face was severely injured in a car accident. How should I be compensated by the at fault drivers insurance company?

Before making a car accident injury claim it is important to seek medical treatment and have a record of how the injury occurred. At fault drivers and their insurance companies are responsible for costs related to medical care of missed work.  Some states have no-fault laws which require the driver’s own insurance company to provide medical compensation for injuries caused in a car accident regardless of fault.

Valuing a Facial Injury

In order to be compensated for an injury resulting from a car accident, the injured must have damages. Damages include medical costs, lost wages, or possibly loss of opportunity for work or loss of companionship. In some states and circumstances, it is also possible to get compensation for pain and suffering. The questions that will arise for a person with a facial injury may include the following:

• Does the facial injury impair a person’s ability to see or talk?
• Did the facial injury result in a lasting disfigurement?
• Did the facial injury cause a loss of companionship?
• Will the facial injury hamper a person’s ability to get work?
• Is the person’s face a valuable part of his occupation—for example, a model or someone who gives presentations for a living may have more occupational damages than someone who doesn’t

Medical and vocational experts may be needed to testify that the injuries are in fact going to impact a person’s vocational opportunities or personal opportunities.

Get Legal Help

Due to the subjective nature of a facial injury, an experienced car accident attorney can be an invaluable resource to help build a solid case before contacting the insurance company.  If your case is presented to the insurance company as a solid one, the insurance company will be more likely to offer a larger settlement rather than risk going to court.