Facial Disfiguration Caused by a Steering Wheel in a Bronx Car Accident

Steering wheels allow us to steer our vehicles, making them arguably one of the most important “safety features” aside from brakes. However, steering wheels can also cause catastrophic, potentially disfiguring injuries. This is something that many drivers learn the hard way. What can you do after suffering disfiguring facial injuries caused by your steering wheel? Can you file a lawsuit with help from an car accident lawyer in the Bronx?

How Often Do Steering Wheels Cause Facial Disfigurement?

Impacts with steering wheels are among the most common injuries for drivers. In fact, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study found that it is more common than any other type of injury for a restrained driver. Impacts with steering wheels can cause “maxillofacial” injuries that can easily result in disfigurement.

Another study found that over half of all drivers who suffer serious auto accidents tend to strike their faces against their steering wheels. A third study involving human cadavers tested the biomechanics of facial fractures caused by steering wheel impacts, finding that special “shock-absorbing” steering wheels could help prevent serious and potentially fatal facial fractures.

Isn’t the Airbag Supposed to Prevent Me From Hitting the Steering Wheel?

You may wonder why these kinds of accidents are so common after the arrival of modern airbag technology. If most vehicles are equipped with airbags, then why do people seem to slam their heads into their steering wheels with such frequency? Airbags are not perfect, and they only deploy under certain circumstances. If the vehicle is traveling too slowly before impact, the airbag may not prevent the driver from striking their steering wheel.

Airbags may also malfunction. These kinds of situations could potentially lead to claims against airbag and auto manufacturers. These are called “product liability lawsuits,” and you might want to discuss this option with your injury lawyer.

Can I Get Additional Compensation for Facial Disfigurement? 

Yes, you should be able to get additional compensation if you suffered facial disfigurement as a result of an impact with your steering wheel. These injuries can be quite horrific, involving multiple fractures across the face. Your face may never be the same, and you are allowed to claim disfigurement as a non-economic damage in this scenario.

Key Takeaways

• Steering wheels frequently cause drivers to suffer facial disfiguration
• These injuries can affect your self-esteem for the rest of your life
• You may pursue additional compensation for disfiguring injuries in New York

Can a Bronx Auto Accident Lawyer Help Me? 

If you are struggling with disfiguring injuries caused by your steering wheel, a Bronx car accident attorney may be able to help you pursue fair compensation. These types of injuries can lead to lawsuits against negligent drivers, airbag manufacturers, auto manufacturers, and other parties. Consider expanding on this conversation by contacting Cohan Law, PLLC at your earliest convenience.

Sources: 

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15368149/woman-face-destroyed-crash-idaho-tina-day.html

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1550802/

ircobi.org/wordpress/downloads/irc1987/pdf_files/1987_6.pdf