Vision Loss After Eye Injury From a Car Accident

Vision Loss After Eye Injury From a Car Accident

Though eye injuries aren’t the most common in car accidents, when they do occur, they can lead to complications such as temporary or even permanent vision loss. Understandably, the thought of experiencing vision loss after an eye injury from a car accident can be scary, but we are here to help. 

If you sustain an eye injury that causes temporary or even permanent damage, you may be entitled to compensation that can help you pay for your medical treatments and other losses. At Sally Morin, our San Francisco car accident lawyers are dedicated to helping injured car accident victims win their cases so they can get the full and fair settlement they deserve for their pain, suffering, and financial losses. 

Common Causes of Vision Loss from Car Accidents

While many assume that eye injuries only happen in contact sports or industrial accidents, motor vehicle crashes are also a significant cause. Here’s how vision can be affected during an auto accident:

1. Blunt Force Trauma

When your head strikes a hard surface like the steering wheel, dashboard, or window, it can cause damage to the eye socket, eyeball, or optic nerve. This trauma may lead to temporary vision impairment or permanent blindness in one or both eyes.

2. Shattered Glass Injuries

Broken windshield or window glass can easily enter the eye during a crash, causing lacerations, corneal abrasions, or infection — all of which can impair vision.

3. Airbag Deployment

Airbags save lives, but they can also cause facial injuries. The high-speed force of deployment can hit the eyes, causing bruising, abrasions, or damage to the eye structure.

What Eye Injuries Are Common in Car Accidents?

The eyes are a very sensitive part of the body and can be injured in several ways. Though not all eye injuries are severe, it’s always best to get checked out by a doctor. Even with treatment, an eye injury could lead to vision loss, but without treatment, it is even more likely that your eye injury could worsen and lead to temporary or permanent vision loss. 

Some of the most common eye injuries that occur in car accidents include:

• Black eyes
• Corneal abrasions
• Lacerations around the eye and eyelid
• Retinal detachment
• Hyphema (bloody eyeball)
• Orbital fracture (eye socket broken bones)
• Optic nerve damage

What to Do If You Lose Vision After an Accident

1. Get Immediate Medical Attention

Prompt evaluation by an ophthalmologist or ER doctor is essential. Even if your symptoms seem minor, internal damage may be progressing.

2. Document Your Injury

Keep detailed records of medical visits, treatments, and any changes in your vision. This documentation will be critical if you pursue a personal injury claim.

3. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

Proving the extent of your eye injury and its impact on your life can be difficult. A skilled lawyer will help demonstrate liability, document losses, and negotiate with the insurance company.

Is Vision Loss Considered a Catastrophic Injury in California?

Yes, in California, vision loss is often classified as a catastrophic injury—especially when the damage is permanent or significantly impairs a person’s ability to function independently. Under California personal injury law, a catastrophic injury is defined as one that causes long-term or permanent disability, dramatically affecting the victim’s quality of life.

Why This Matters for Your Claim

If your eye injury qualifies as catastrophic, it can increase the value of your personal injury claim. Courts and insurance companies recognize that vision loss may:

• Prevent you from returning to work (especially in visually demanding jobs)
• Require lifelong medical treatment or vision aids
• Lead to emotional trauma and reduced quality of life
• Impact your independence and daily functionality

Because of the seriousness of catastrophic injuries, they often warrant larger settlements or jury awards to cover both economic and non-economic damages.

California Law and Catastrophic Injuries

According to California Civil Code § 3294 and related case law, catastrophic injuries may justify punitive damages if they were caused by gross negligence or reckless behavior—such as a drunk driving accident.

If you’ve experienced partial or total blindness due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve strong legal representation that understands how to classify and argue your case effectively.

Compensation for Vision Loss After Eye Injury in a Car Accident

If you have vision loss after an eye injury in a car accident, you deserve to be fully and fairly compensated not only for the cost of treatment, but also for the effect such an injury will have on your life. Suffering vision loss can significantly alter your life and your ability to work or perform daily activities, affecting your ability to earn an income and care for yourself or your family. 

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for insurance companies to try to downplay injuries to get out of paying high settlements. For this reason, working with an attorney when you file your claim is often beneficial. Though working with a lawyer is not required, they can help you build a strong case that proves the extent of your suffering and losses due to your eye injury and vision loss. 

In addition to helping you get the compensation you need for medical costs, a lawyer can help you recover financial compensation for the following damages:

• Loss of income
• Reduced earning capacity
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of consortium
• Permanent impairment
• Scarring and disfigurement

Why Insurance Companies Downplay Eye Injuries

Insurance adjusters may argue that your eye injury isn’t as severe as claimed — especially if you had a pre-existing vision condition or delayed getting medical treatment. That’s why having an experienced car accident lawyer on your side can make a huge difference in your settlement.

How Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help

At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, our team will fight hard to ensure you are awarded maximum compensation for your eye injury and vision loss. We will protect your rights and help you win your case so you can focus on rest and recovery.

For help with your vision loss and eye injury claim, call us at 877-380-8852 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation.