Scarring and Disfigurement from Car Accidents

Car crashes can cause many different types of injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, bone fractures, and burns. In some cases, a driver or passenger may lose a limb or appendage due to amputation. In other cases, a victim may suffer scarring and disfigurement of their face, visible body parts such as arms, and legs, or other areas of the anatomy.

In car accident cases, our Charlotte, NC injury lawyers demand that negligent drivers and other liable defendants pay for your pain and suffering, medical bills, lost income, and the damage to your vehicle. We also demand the responsible parties pay additional damages for your scarring and disfigurement.

What types of car accident injuries can cause scarring and disfigurement?

Car accident injuries that cause scarring and disfigurement include:

• Amputation
• Second and third-degree burns
• Lacerations
• Injuries to any part of the face, including eye, nose, and dental injuries

How are scarring and disfigurement injuries treated?

Scarring and disfigurement injuries due to car accidents often require multiple surgeries. There’s the initial surgery – usually when the patient is admitted to the hospital to try to save a limb, treat burns, or manage other injuries. Then there are subsequent surgeries to help improve the functionality of the scarred or disfigured body part, and subsequent surgeries to approve the appearance of the car wreck victim.

• Amputation injuries. Victims, where possible, will need to be fitted for a prosthetic device. They’ll need to work with therapists to learn how to use the device. During their lifetime, they’ll probably need to replace or upgrade their prosthetic device.
• Burn injuries. Severe burn injuries often require skin grafts and other types of plastic/cosmetic surgery.
• Dental injuries. Patients made need implants and other expensive dental care.
• Cuts. Lacerations are usually treated with stitches. Cosmetic surgery may also be an option.

Treatment for facial injuries and scarring or disfigurement of any other body part can vary depending on the location of the injury, the type of injury, and the severity of the injury.

Does the court award psychological damages for scarring and disfigurement injuries?

Yes. For many car accident victims, physical pain can be managed in the initial surgeries. Patients then usually need a few months to learn to work with prosthetic devices. Psychological scars, however, are often the hardest for victims to cope with because they can last a lifetime.

As a patient and victim, you have the right to meet with psychologists and mental health counselors to express anger and rage, to express your fears and worries, to cope with depression and loss of self-esteem, and to begin to adjust to life with physical scars and disfigurement. Remember:

• It’s natural for victims to worry about people staring at them.
• Victims will naturally be afraid that their appearance will affect their social relations, including intimacy relations.
• Victims may also have fears about driving or being a passenger due to their condition.
• Some victims may suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to scars and disfigurement.

Many patients need long-term emotional help for scarring and disfigurement due to a car crash or other accident. Children and teenagers may feel especially distressed due to scars and disfigurement.

At Warren & Kallianos, PLLC, our seasoned Charlotte, NC car accident lawyers understand how traumatic scarring and disfigurement injuries are. We work with your doctors and therapists (and independent medical professionals when necessary) to help you recover, fully understand what medical care you need, and understand how these injuries are affecting you emotionally. Call us in Charlotte at 704-377-7777, or schedule an appointment by filling out our contact form.