One of the most common injuries following a car accident is jaw pain. The sudden impact can cause the muscles and ligaments in the jaw to stretch or tear, resulting in pain and swelling. In some cases, the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) may be dislocated or fractured.
Common Causes of Jaw Pain
There are several different causes of pain following a car accident or jaw hurts after car accident including:
Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward or backward. This can damage the muscles, ligaments, and nerves in the neck and cause pain and stiffness. Whiplash is a common injury in car accidents, particularly in rear-end collisions
Muscle Strain
The jaw muscles in the jaw can be strained or torn during a car accident, even if the victim does not experience whiplash at the same time. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and swelling that will have a significant impact on a victim’s ability to eat, communicate, or sleep comfortably, among many other effects. Car accident impacts cause many different forces to act on the body, and depending on a seemingly infinite number of variables, each passenger in the vehicle can suffer from remarkably different symptoms and injuries.
TMJ Injury
The TMJ, or Temporomandibular Joint, is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. It can be dislocated or fractured during a car accident. A TMJ injury is characterized by pain, clicking or popping sounds when the jaw is moved, difficulty opening or closing the mouth, and trouble sleeping or concentrating.
Dental Injury
A dental injury is any damage to the teeth, gums, or jaws. Car accidents can cause cracked, chipped, or broken teeth. In severe cases, the teeth may be knocked out entirely. Dental injuries can be extremely painful and require extensive treatment, which is often exceptionally costly. If someone else caused your accident, you should not be financially responsible for the cost of your dental care — or any of your other damages.
Concussion
A concussion is a type of brain injury that occurs when the head is violently shaken. This can damage the brain and cause symptoms like headache, dizziness, and confusion. A concussion can also cause jaw pain, whether directly related to the same head trauma that caused the concussion or not.
Stress and Anxiety
The physical and emotional stress of an auto accident can lead to car accident jaw pain. This is often due to clenching or grinding of the teeth, which can worsen preexisting TMJ disorders. Stress and anxiety can also make existing muscle pain and stiffness worse, which in turn can cause an ongoing cycle of pain.
What To Do If You Experience Jaw Pain After an Accident
If you experience jaw pain or jaw and ear pain following a car accident, it is important to seek medical treatment right away. Injuries to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause tmj symptoms, including pain, difficulty chewing, and stiffness in the jaw muscles. Additionally, ear pain or discomfort in the inner ear may accompany these symptoms, potentially indicating a related ear injury.
In most cases, pain after a car accident involving the jaw will resolve with time and rest. However, more severe conditions, such as tmj disorder or a possible skull fracture, may require specialized care and medical treatment. Aggressive interventions, including therapy for the temporomandibular joint or even surgery, might be necessary depending on the severity of the injury.
If you’re dealing with these issues, consulting an experienced car accident lawyer can help ensure you receive the compensation needed to cover medical treatment and recovery costs. Addressing these symptoms early is critical to prevent long-term complications and achieve a full recovery.
Calculating Damages Pertaining to Jaw Pain After a Car Accident
If you have been involved in an auto accident and are suffering from jaw and ear pain, there are a few things you can do to calculate the damages you may be owed. First, you will need to get a medical diagnosis of your condition and the extent of your jaw injuries. This will usually involve getting x-rays or an MRI. Once you have a diagnosis, you can begin to calculate your damages.
Medical Bills
You will be able to recover the cost of any medical treatment you have received as a result of your injuries. This includes the cost of doctor’s visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, and any other medical expenses.
Lost Wages
If your injuries have prevented you from working, you can recover the cost of lost wages. This includes both the wages you have already lost and any future wages you may lose because of your injuries.
Pain and Suffering
You can also recover damages for the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by your injuries. This is usually calculated as a multiple of your medical bills.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, you may also be awarded punitive damages. These are designed to punish the at-fault party for their negligence and deter them from future negligent behavior. Punitive damages are usually only awarded in cases of severe injury or death, and your personal injury attorney will not be able to seek these damages — they are awarded by a judge or jury at the resolution of a trial.
If your lawyer believes that you are a strong candidate for punitive damages, they may encourage you to take your case to trial in order to seek this type of compensation.
Working With an Attorney After a Car Accident
An insurance company has the same goal as any other business: to make a profit. The problem is that this profit typically comes at your expense by the adjuster aggressively pushing you to settle your case for far less than what you are owed. Trying to work directly with an insurance company without legal representation can be difficult, frustrating, and often results in a lower settlement amount than you deserve.
If you have been injured in a car crash, it is important to seek medical attention immediately, especially if you experience jaw and ear pain, facial pain, or symptoms related to tmj injuries. Conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ disorder) or an ear injury may develop as a result of the impact. These injuries can lead to long-term complications if not addressed promptly.
Pain after a crash can also extend to the jaw joint or inner ear, contributing to discomfort and mobility issues. Jaw disorders and TMJ injuries are common in serious injuries, especially when the head or neck is impacted. In more severe cases, such as those involving a spinal cord injury, the need for comprehensive medical care becomes even more critical.
Consulting experienced lawyers is essential to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. An attorney can help investigate the accident, gather evidence, and negotiate a higher settlement with the insurance company. By addressing both severe injuries and the legal aspects of your claim, they can provide the support you need during recovery.
Looking For a Lawyer To Help With Your Case?
Contact CarAccidentAttorney.com as soon as possible to connect with an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area for a free consultation. During this consultation, the lawyer will review the facts of your case and help you understand your legal options. If you decide to hire a lawyer, they will work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will not have to pay any upfront fees — the lawyer only gets paid if they recover compensation for you.
CarAccidentAttorney.com is a personal injury law firm directory that can connect you with an attorney in your area. Call us today to request a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in your area who can help you make sense of your situation and get the money you rightfully deserve.