Common Eye Injuries in Car Accidents

A car accident can happen anytime in Rockville and instantly change victims' lives. They can be left with a wide range of serious injuries, including head, neck, or back injuries. Other types of injuries can also be life-changing – such as injuries to the eye, which of course is very fragile due to its soft tissue nature.

Sight is something that all of us take for granted. But our work, daily interactions, hobbies – and our ability to drive – all rely on having functional vision. Eye damage from an accident can impact the rest of a person's life.

Types of eye injuries seen in car accidents include:

Airbag injuries

There's no doubt that airbags can save lives in a car crash. But they deploy very quickly with great force and can easily cause eye injuries when striking the face. These injuries include corneal abrasions, black eyes, retinal detachment, and traumatic cataracts – a clouding of the eye lens caused by trauma.

TBI-related injuries

During a collision, a driver or passenger can suffer blunt trauma to the head, resulting in a concussion or a more serious traumatic brain injury (TBI). This damage to the brain can also affect the eyes and one's ability to see. As a result, victims may be left with blurred vision, double vision, and difficulty with focusing or tracking people or objects. These conditions also make the brain work harder in order to identify or comprehend what it is seeing.

Lacerations and abrasions

In a car accident, all kinds of particles can fly through the air – including broken glass, dirt, and debris. Some particles can strike or penetrate the eye, resulting in corneal abrasions and lacerations, and even blindness.

These injuries can be painful and, without treatment, can lead to vision loss.

Globe rupture

Blunt trauma to the cornea and sclera can result in rupture of the eye. Surgery is needed, but doctors sometimes can't save the eye. Trauma can also result in subconjunctival hemorrhage – bleeding of the eye. In addition, victims may experience a loss of vision if there is damage to the iris (the colored part of the eye).

Orbital fracture

The socket around the eye is called the orbital bone. While this bone is very strong, it can be fractured during the force of impact during a crash. An orbital fracture can lead to vision problems, especially if bone fragments hit the eye.

Eyelid injuries

The eyelid protects the eye and aids in the distribution of tears to keep the eye's surface lubricated. If the eyelid is injured during an accident, the victim may need surgery to repair it.

Cosmetic injuries

Injuries from a crash can also lead to a disfigurement of the eye. In addition, cosmetic injuries can profoundly affect a victim's self-esteem and impact daily interactions.

Get the compensation you deserve for your eye injury

When victims of a car accident suffer an eye injury, their medical expenses can add up quickly and become overwhelming. They may also be forced to miss time from work because of the injury, leading to a loss of income. Lost income can lead to financial stress as the victim wonders how they'll be able to pay the bills. Of course, they can even suffer from a permanent impairment to their vision, including full or partial blindness. This in turn impacts one’s ability to concentrate and focus, which has lifelong consequences.

If a negligent driver caused an accident that injured you, you deserve financial compensation. But negligent drivers often deny doing anything wrong, and insurance companies will try to pay you less than what you're entitled to. Car accident attorney Stuart L. Plotnick has been getting results for the injured for nearly three decades and has recovered millions for accident victims.

There's no substitute for experience and hard work when you need legal representation, which is why you need to call our law firm as soon as possible to review your legal rights and options. If you've been injured in a Rockville accident, contact us to schedule a free consultation. We are located in Rockville and offer legal representation to clients throughout Montgomery County, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.