When it comes to car accident injuries, many people initially think about broken bones, whiplash, and head injuries. While each of these are certainly possible, another common injury that is often unthought of is lacerations and cuts from broken glass.
In car accidents that involve any kind of serious force or impact, there is a greater risk of glass from the windows and mirrors breaking. Even though the glass is meant to be shatter-proof, sometimes the impact is so hard that it does shatter and fly everywhere.
When a Car Accident Causes Broken Glass Injuries
Although glass from a cars’ window might shatter into small fragments, it is very sharp. When the impact causes the glass to be flown throughout the vehicle, deep lacerations can occur. Not only might these lacerations cause pain and scarring, but they can also leave the victim vulnerable to developing an infection. In some cases, severe bleeding can occur. If the victim is not treated in a timely manner, their loss of blood could become life threatening. As a leading car accident lawyer knows, these cases have included multiple bodily lacerations, severe bleeding, significant scarring, and risk of losing a limb.
Recovering Damages from Glass Injuries
If you were injured in a car accident, and some of these injuries are from glass, damages may be available. Whether or not this is possible largely depends on whether negligence is a factor. If another person caused the accident, a lawyer, like a car accident lawyer in Atlanta, GA from Andrew R. Lynch, P.C., may be able to seek damages for any related losses.
Damages that May Be Available
If shattered glass caused you to be injured, economic and non-economic damages for the following may be included in your claim:
Medical care
Future medical treatment
Skin grafting
Cosmetic treatment and surgery
Therapy and rehabilitation
Loss of income
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
In some cases, a car accident lawyer will seek punitive damages. These may apply when gross negligence or malicious intent is a factor. In general, a case will go to trial before punitive damages can be awarded. If you lost someone in a car accident, a lawyer might recommend that you file a wrongful death claim. The damages are similar to those above, but may also include funeral and burial costs, as well as loss of earning capacity, loss of consortium loss of support, and more.
Pain and Suffering from Glass Injuries
The damages for pain and suffering for a shattered glass injuries may be considerable because:
Glass injuries are often very painful
The physical damage from glass is often severe
Disfigurement and scarring is common
In general, the more pain and suffering you endure, the more compensation will be available. To learn more about filing a claim, please call a car accident lawyer now.