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.
What Are Eye Injury and Temporary Blindness Causes?
Many things could cause a person to sustain an eye injury and suffer from vision loss. Sporting accidents, for example, are common causes of eye injuries. Certain workplace hazards can increase a person’s chances of sustaining an injury to their eye. There are even medical conditions that can increase the risk of vision loss.
That said, car accidents are another way that you could sustain an eye injury and vision loss. Though eye injuries are not necessarily the most commonly reported injuries for car accidents, they can and do happen. Some of the common causes of vision loss after an eye injury in an accident include:
- Blunt force trauma: It’s not uncommon for people to hit their heads in car accidents by hitting the steering wheel, the dashboard, or the window. When this happens, the blunt impact can damage the eyes or the area around the eyes, which can cause eye damage and even temporary or permanent vision loss, depending on the severity of the injury.
- Glass: If the window(s) breaks in a car accident, it is also possible for fragments of the shattered glass to enter the eye and cause damage. Even the smallest piece of glass can cause significant damage to the eye, causing severe pain and even vision loss.
- Airbags: While airbags are a protection mechanism, they can also inflict damage. The force at which an airbag deploys is quite powerful, and if someone is shorter and closer to eye level with the steering wheel, this could cause severe injury to the face and eyes.
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 Should You Do If You Experience Vision Loss After an Eye Injury in a Car Accident?
Whether you are experiencing blurry vision after a car accident or temporary loss of eyesight after a head injury, you should seek immediate medical attention. It is difficult to know how severe the eye damage is without a medical exam, and if you delay treatment, your eye injury could worsen and result in permanent damage.
If you start having eye issues after an accident, you should go to the ER or urgent care. Even if you don’t notice any symptoms, it’s still a good idea to get checked out by a doctor as a precaution.
If you hit your head in the accident, you could also have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in addition to an eye injury, and a TBI can lead to its own complications if not treated right away.
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
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.
