Jaw and Facial Pain After a Car Accident: 3 Things You Should Know

a doctor holding a stethoscope

When you’re in a car accident, you may be left with more than just damage to your vehicle. Car accidents, even minor ones, can result in serious physical and mental trauma—broken bones, head injuries, and PTSD is all very common results from car crashes. But one type of injury that is particularly difficult to deal with is jaw and facial pain. This article is going to discuss a few important things to keep in mind if you find yourself dealing with jaw or facial pain after being in an accident.

Car Accidents Can Easily Cause Jaw Pain

While no one car accident is alike and injuries can vary greatly, jaw and facial pain and injuries are pretty common. People may experience jaw and facial pain as a result of direct trauma, like hitting their head on a steering wheel or being hit in the face with an airbag. But direct trauma is not always necessary to cause this type of injury—someone who experiences whiplash, where their head is forced in different directions very quickly, can end up with jaw and facial problems, too.

Jaw and facial injuries can vary from person to person but some common injuries seen after a car accident can include fractured bones, torn ligaments, a dislocated jaw, and even the development of TMJ. Overall, it’s important to know that sustaining injuries in the jaw or facial areas are more common than you think and they can cause a lot of problems if they’re not addressed.

You Need to Find the Right Doctor

One of the most important steps to take after being involved in an accident is seeking medical help. Even if you feel fine, you should always get checked out by a medical professional—injuries may be internal or simply not obvious to you. And after your initial examination, if you begin to experience pain, you need to head back to the doctor. It’s important to act quickly, especially if you plan on filing a personal injury lawsuit.

And if you’re experiencing facial or jaw pain, you may need to see a specialist. While your primary care physician will be able to address some injuries and conditions, they may end up referring you to another doctor. This can be beneficial because by receiving an Orofacial Pain Diagnosis, you’ll be able to take the necessary steps towards recovery. Whether it’s taking medications while you heal, having surgery, or going to physical therapy, finding the right doctor to help with your treatments is crucial.

Filing a Lawsuit Could Help Pay Medical Bills

When you sustain serious injuries in a car accident, you’re probably going to have a lot of medical expenses to cover. And if the accident wasn’t your fault, you may qualify to receive compensation for your injuries. Filing a personal injury claim can be a complex process but with the right help, you can have a good chance of reaching a fair settlement. And if you do decide you want to file a personal injury claim, you should utilize a service such as the one Lawsuit Infocenter offers.

These industry experts can give you the information you need to start the claim process. They even help you connect with a local personal injury attorney so you can get the help you deserve. So rather than trying to navigate this complicated process by yourself, find professional help to give you the best chance possible at proper compensation.

Facial and jaw pain is not something to ignore—this type of pain or injury can be debilitating and can impact you each and every day. So if you’re in an accident and experience jaw and facial pain afterward, keep this information in mind and take the necessary steps towards both recovery and proper legal compensation.