Broken Nose After a Pedestrian Accident in Manhattan: Can I Sue?

If you suffered a broken nose after a pedestrian accident in Manhattan, you are probably in considerable pain. When the initial pain and discomfort fade, you can assess your legal options with greater clarity. If a negligent driver struck you and broke your nose, can you pursue compensation? How much could you receive, and how does legal action make our streets safer for innocent pedestrians?

How Do Nasal Fractures Occur During Pedestrian Accidents?

A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that nasal fractures are incredibly common among injured pedestrians. While lower extremity injuries remain the most common for these victims, nasal fractures rank second overall.

So how do these injuries occur? A victim would probably tell you that after being struck by a vehicle, the first point of contact is generally the lower leg. This initial impact slams the victim onto the windshield or hood, often headfirst. These secondary impacts occur with such speed that there is no time for a victim to protect themselves using their hands. As a result, the next point of contact is often the nose/face.

How Long Will It Take to Recover From a Fractured Nose?

The amount of time it takes to heal from a nasal fracture depends on the unique aspects of each injury. That being said, a nasal fracture caused by a vehicular impact is often more severe than those caused by falls or low-velocity bike accidents. As a result, nasal fractures may take months to heal. While surgery is often unnecessary for nasal fractures, it might be more likely after vehicle collisions. Complications like septal hematomas and deviated septa could also be more common because of the velocity of these impacts.

Always Check for Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

If you have suffered an impact to the facial area that is forceful enough to cause a severe nasal fracture, a traumatic brain injury is also likely. Even if you do not have any symptoms of a TBI, you should still inform your doctors that you have suffered a serious blow to the head. Your brain might have been “rattled” by this impact inside your cranium. If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury, it might be easier to pursue higher levels of compensation.

Key Takeaways 

• Nasal fractures are extremely common for injured pedestrians in Manhattan
• Nasal fractures may occur in conjunction with head injuries
• You may be eligible to pursue compensation after a pedestrian crash in Manhattan

Can a Manhattan Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help Me? 

If you’re recovering from a broken nose after a pedestrian crash, you have the right to consider your legal options. You may also have the right to hold negligent drivers accountable for hurting you, especially if you’re also struggling with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). After you receive medical attention, consider speaking with the New York pedestrian accident lawyers at Cohan Law, PLLC about your next steps.

Source:

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3256841/#:~:text=As%20with%20all%20groups%20of,of%20severe%20or%20fatal%20injuries.