A collision with an 18-wheeler can cause devastating injuries to the face, head, jaw, eyes, mouth, and teeth. Broken glass, airbags, steering wheels, dashboards, flying debris, cargo, and crushed vehicle components can strike a victim with tremendous force.
Some facial injuries heal with treatment. Others leave permanent scars, asymmetry, nerve damage, vision problems, difficulty speaking or eating, and visible disfigurement that affects nearly every part of a person’s life.
Facial trauma is not merely cosmetic. A serious injury may interfere with breathing, chewing, swallowing, speaking, sleeping, seeing, working, and interacting with others. Victims may require emergency surgery, dental reconstruction, skin grafts, scar treatment, and multiple procedures over many years.
If you or someone you love suffered facial injuries, scarring, or disfigurement after a Dallas-Fort Worth truck wreck, your claim may involve much more than the initial hospital bills. It may include future surgeries, permanent functional limitations, psychological trauma, lost income, physical impairment, and disfigurement.
The Wooley Law Firm represents people seriously injured in crashes involving:
18-wheelers and tractor-trailers
Semi-trucks
Flatbed trucks
Box trucks
Delivery trucks and vans
Tanker trucks
Dump trucks
Construction vehicles
Garbage and sanitation trucks
Buses and other commercial vehicles
Learn more about our representation of injured truck-wreck victims on our 18-wheeler and truck accident lawyer page.
Call 214-699-6524 for a free consultation. You do not pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
How Truck Wrecks Cause Facial Injuries
An 18-wheeler collision can expose the head and face to direct impact, crushing forces, broken glass, fire, chemicals, and flying objects.
Facial injuries may occur when:
The face strikes the steering wheel
The head strikes the dashboard
The victim is hit by an airbag
Broken glass cuts the face
A side window collapses inward
The roof or door intrudes into the passenger compartment
Loose objects become projectiles
A victim is ejected from the vehicle
The vehicle rolls over
A truck pushes a car into a barrier
Falling cargo enters the passenger compartment
A tanker or truck fire causes facial burns
Metal or debris penetrates the face
A victim suffers multiple impacts during a pileup
A truck wreck may cause several facial injuries at the same time. For example, a victim may suffer a fractured jaw, dental damage, eye trauma, facial lacerations, and a traumatic brain injury in the same collision.
Common Facial Injuries After an 18-Wheeler Wreck
The severity of facial trauma depends on the location of the impact, the force of the crash, and whether the victim suffered burns, crushing injuries, or penetrating wounds.
Common injuries include:
Facial lacerations
Deep cuts
Facial fractures
Broken nose
Fractured jaw
Cheekbone fractures
Orbital fractures
Dental injuries
Eye injuries
Nerve damage
Burns
Skin loss
Ear injuries
Lip and mouth injuries
Salivary gland damage
Permanent scars
Facial asymmetry
Disfigurement
Facial Lacerations and Deep Cuts
Broken glass, sharp metal, cargo, and debris can cause deep cuts to the face.
A facial laceration may damage:
Skin
Muscles
Nerves
Blood vessels
Tear ducts
Salivary ducts
Eyelids
Lips
Cartilage
Emergency treatment may involve:
Wound cleaning
Removal of glass or debris
Stitches
Layered surgical repair
Antibiotics
Plastic-surgery consultation
Scar treatment
Future revision procedures
Even when a wound is carefully closed, the victim may be left with a visible scar.
The size of the scar does not always reflect its impact. A scar on the forehead, cheek, nose, lips, or around the eyes may be difficult to hide and may permanently change a person’s appearance.
Facial Fractures After a Truck Accident
The bones of the face can fracture during a high-force collision.
Possible fractures include:
Nasal fractures
Orbital fractures
Cheekbone fractures
Maxillary fractures
Mandibular fractures
Frontal-bone fractures
Complex midface fractures
Symptoms may include:
Severe pain
Facial swelling
Bruising
Numbness
Double vision
Difficulty opening the mouth
Difficulty chewing
Loose teeth
Facial asymmetry
Nosebleeds
Difficulty breathing through the nose
Changes in bite alignment
Treatment may require plates, screws, wires, or other surgical hardware to stabilize the bones.
Broken Jaw and Jaw-Joint Injuries
A fractured jaw can affect speaking, eating, breathing, and facial appearance.
A truck-wreck victim with a jaw injury may experience:
Jaw pain
Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
Misaligned bite
Loose or damaged teeth
Facial numbness
Swelling
Bleeding inside the mouth
Difficulty speaking
Difficulty chewing
Temporomandibular joint pain
Treatment may include:
Wiring or stabilizing the jaw
Plates and screws
A restricted or liquid diet
Dental treatment
Physical therapy
Corrective surgery
Some victims develop chronic jaw pain, limited motion, clicking, headaches, or difficulty eating long after the fracture heals.
Orbital Fractures and Eye Injuries
The orbit is the bony structure surrounding the eye. A direct impact can fracture the orbital bones and damage the eye, muscles, nerves, or surrounding tissue.
Possible consequences include:
Double vision
Blurred vision
Reduced eye movement
Sunken appearance of the eye
Facial numbness
Eyelid problems
Tearing
Light sensitivity
Partial or complete vision loss
Other eye injuries may include:
Corneal damage
Retinal injury
Optic-nerve damage
Foreign objects in the eye
Eye rupture
Chemical burns
Permanent blindness
Vision loss can dramatically affect driving, working, reading, depth perception, balance, and independence.
Dental Injuries After an 18-Wheeler Collision
Facial trauma frequently damages the teeth, gums, jawbone, and dental structures.
A victim may suffer:
Chipped teeth
Cracked teeth
Broken teeth
Knocked-out teeth
Root damage
Gum injuries
Jawbone damage
Loss of dental implants
Bite problems
Treatment may involve:
Crowns
Bridges
Root canals
Dental implants
Dentures
Bone grafts
Oral surgery
Orthodontic treatment
Repeated future replacement work
Dental reconstruction can continue for years, particularly when the jawbone or surrounding tissue is damaged.
A serious injury claim should consider the cost of future dental treatment and replacement prosthetics—not only the first procedure.
Facial Nerve Damage
Facial nerves control movement, expression, sensation, and other important functions.
Nerve damage may cause:
Facial numbness
Tingling
Burning pain
Muscle weakness
Facial drooping
Difficulty smiling
Difficulty closing an eye
Loss of normal expression
Chronic nerve pain
Abnormal tearing or salivation
Some nerve injuries improve over time. Others result in permanent changes.
A victim may feel that their face no longer moves or looks the way it did before the wreck, even when fractures and wounds have technically healed.
Burns to the Face
Truck fires, fuel ignition, explosions, electrical systems, and hazardous cargo can cause severe facial burns.
Facial burns may affect:
Skin
Eyelids
Eyes
Nose
Lips
Ears
Hair
Airways
Nerves
They may require:
Burn-unit care
Skin grafts
Reconstructive surgery
Scar management
Eye treatment
Airway treatment
Long-term therapy
Facial burns can cause permanent disfigurement and major psychological trauma.
Learn more about burn injuries after a Dallas-Fort Worth truck wreck.
Scarring After a Truck Wreck
Scars form as the body repairs damaged skin and tissue. The appearance of a scar depends on the depth of the injury, wound location, infection, treatment, skin type, and other factors.
Possible scar types include:
Flat scars
Raised scars
Hypertrophic scars
Keloid scars
Depressed scars
Contracture scars
Burn scars
Surgical scars
A scar may be:
Red or dark
Raised
Thick
Painful
Itchy
Sensitive
Tight
Uneven
Permanently visible
Scars over the lips, eyelids, nose, or joints may also interfere with function.
Scar Contractures
A contracture occurs when scar tissue tightens and restricts movement.
Facial contractures may affect:
Eyelid closure
Mouth opening
Lip movement
Neck motion
Facial expression
Eating
Speaking
Vision protection
Treatment may require:
Physical or occupational therapy
Stretching
Compression garments
Injections
Laser treatment
Scar-release surgery
Skin grafts
Tissue expansion
A victim may require repeated procedures as scar tissue changes over time.
Injured in an Accident?
Free consultation. Tell us what happened and learn what options may be available.
What Is Disfigurement?
Disfigurement generally refers to a permanent or lasting change in a person’s appearance.
After a truck wreck, disfigurement may include:
Facial scars
Burns
Missing tissue
Facial asymmetry
Loss of an eye
Loss of an ear
Loss of teeth
Changes to the nose or jaw
Skin grafts
Visible surgical hardware
Permanent facial weakness
Altered facial expressions
Disfigurement is different from physical pain and medical expenses. It concerns the visible change to the person’s body and appearance.
A scar may be small in measurement but devastating in impact when it is located on the face.
Physical Impairment Caused by Facial Injuries
Facial trauma may also cause physical impairment.
A victim may lose or experience reduced ability to:
See
Speak clearly
Chew
Swallow
Breathe through the nose
Smell
Taste
Close an eye
Express emotions normally
Sleep comfortably
Work in a public-facing job
These functional losses should be documented separately from the visible disfigurement.
Psychological Effects of Facial Scarring and Disfigurement
The emotional effects of a facial injury may be profound.
A victim may experience:
Depression
Anxiety
Post-traumatic stress
Embarrassment
Loss of confidence
Fear of being judged
Social withdrawal
Difficulty returning to work
Relationship problems
Sleep disturbances
Grief over appearance changes
A person may avoid photographs, social events, mirrors, dating, public speaking, or activities they once enjoyed.
Psychological treatment may be necessary even after the physical wounds have healed.
How Facial Injuries Affect Employment
Facial injuries can affect a person’s ability to work in several ways.
Potential employment consequences include:
Time away for surgeries
Medical appointments
Difficulty speaking
Vision problems
Chronic pain
Dental problems
Difficulty wearing protective equipment
Reduced confidence
Anxiety in public settings
Discrimination or negative reactions
Reduced ability to perform customer-facing work
The injury may be particularly damaging for someone whose occupation depends on:
Public interaction
Speaking
Performing
Teaching
Sales
Broadcasting
Healthcare
Law enforcement
Professional appearance
Detailed vision
A claim may involve both lost wages and reduced future earning capacity.
Treatment for Facial Injuries
Treatment depends on the injuries involved and may require a team of specialists, including:
Trauma surgeons
Plastic surgeons
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
Ophthalmologists
Ear, nose, and throat specialists
Neurologists
Dentists
Orthodontists
Physical therapists
Occupational therapists
Mental-health professionals
Treatment may include:
Emergency wound repair
Fracture stabilization
Plates and screws
Jaw surgery
Dental reconstruction
Skin grafts
Nerve repair
Eye surgery
Scar revision
Laser treatment
Injections
Reconstructive surgery
Some victims require several staged procedures over a period of years.
Scar Revision and Reconstructive Procedures
Scar revision does not always remove a scar. The goal may be to reduce its size, improve its texture, restore function, or make it less noticeable.
Possible treatments include:
Silicone products
Compression therapy
Steroid injections
Laser treatment
Dermabrasion
Tissue expansion
Skin grafting
Surgical scar revision
Flap reconstruction
Fat grafting
Future procedures should be considered before a claim is resolved.
An insurance company may attempt to evaluate the injury before the scar has matured or before doctors know which reconstructive procedures will be needed.
Compensation for Facial Injuries, Scarring, and Disfigurement
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for:
Emergency medical care
Hospitalization
Facial surgery
Dental treatment
Eye care
Plastic surgery
Skin grafts
Scar treatment
Psychological counseling
Future medical care
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Physical pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Physical impairment
Disfigurement
Out-of-pocket expenses
Property damage
A serious facial-injury claim should not be evaluated solely by adding up current medical bills.
Future procedures, permanent appearance changes, functional losses, emotional trauma, and reduced earning capacity may represent a substantial part of the claim.
Read more about the categories of compensation that may be available in our guide to truck accident damages after a Dallas 18-wheeler wreck.
Documenting Scarring and Disfigurement
Good documentation is especially important in a facial-injury case.
Relevant evidence may include:
Photographs from before the wreck
Photographs immediately after the wreck
Hospital photographs
Surgical photographs
Photographs during healing
Current photographs
Plastic-surgery evaluations
Scar measurements
Medical records
Future-treatment recommendations
Psychological-treatment records
Testimony from family and coworkers
Employment records
Video showing changes in facial movement
Photographs should document the progression of the injury over time.
Consistent lighting, angles, and distance may help show how the scar changes during healing.
Who May Be Responsible for a Truck Wreck Causing Facial Injuries?
Truck-wreck cases may involve multiple responsible parties.
The Truck Driver
A driver may cause the collision through:
Speeding
Following too closely
Fatigued driving
Distracted driving
Unsafe lane changes
Failure to check blind spots
Running a red light
Improper turns
Driving while impaired
Failure to control speed
Failure to maintain a proper lookout
The Trucking Company
A motor carrier may be responsible for the driver’s conduct and its own unsafe practices.
Company negligence may include:
Hiring an unqualified driver
Inadequate training
Negligent supervision
Retaining an unsafe driver
Pressuring drivers to meet unsafe schedules
Failing to inspect or maintain the truck
Ignoring safety violations
Unsafe dispatch practices
The Cargo Loader or Shipper
Unsecured cargo can fall from a truck, enter a passenger compartment, or cause the truck to roll over or lose control.
Flatbed cargo involving steel, pipe, lumber, machinery, and construction materials can cause devastating facial and head injuries.
Learn more about flatbed truck accidents, cargo securement, and liability.
A Maintenance or Repair Company
A maintenance provider may share responsibility when negligent inspection or repair contributes to:
Brake failure
Tire separation
Steering failure
Wheel detachment
Trailer separation
Mechanical breakdown
A Truck or Parts Manufacturer
A defective vehicle component may cause or worsen a collision.
Potential defects may involve:
Brakes
Tires
Steering systems
Coupling devices
Fuel systems
Underride guards
Safety components
Evidence That Should Be Preserved
The trucking company and its insurer may begin investigating before the victim leaves the hospital.
Important evidence may include:
Engine control module data
Electronic logging-device records
GPS and telematics information
Dash-camera footage
Driver-facing camera footage
Dispatch records
Cellphone records
Driver qualification files
Training materials
Hours-of-service logs
Maintenance records
Inspection reports
Cargo-loading records
Bills of lading
Post-crash inspection materials
Photographs and videos
Surveillance footage
Witness statements
Police body-camera footage
911 recordings
Physical vehicle evidence
Electronic information may be overwritten or lost unless prompt steps are taken to preserve it.
Learn more about the evidence that matters after a Texas 18-wheeler wreck and 18-wheeler black-box data after a Dallas-Fort Worth truck crash.
How Insurance Companies Defend Facial-Injury Claims
Even when facial injuries are visible, an insurance company may still attempt to minimize the claim.
The insurer may argue that:
The scars are not severe
The scars will fade
Reconstructive surgery is unnecessary
The injury is only cosmetic
Psychological treatment is unrelated
The victim can return to work
Future dental care is speculative
The crash did not cause all symptoms
The victim shares responsibility for the wreck
The insurer may also try to resolve the claim before the scars have fully matured or before the victim knows whether more procedures are needed.
A premature settlement can leave the injured person responsible for future surgeries, scar care, dental reconstruction, and psychological treatment.
What to Do After a Facial Injury Caused by a Truck Wreck
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
Facial injuries may involve the airway, eyes, brain, jaw, or major blood vessels. Prompt medical evaluation is important.
Report All Symptoms
Tell medical providers about:
Vision changes
Numbness
Jaw pain
Difficulty chewing
Dental pain
Headaches
Breathing problems
Trouble swallowing
Facial weakness
Psychological symptoms
Attend Specialist Appointments
Follow recommendations for plastic surgery, ophthalmology, oral surgery, dental care, and mental-health treatment.
Photograph the Injury
Take clear photographs throughout the recovery process.
Preserve Records
Keep:
Medical bills
Dental estimates
Surgical recommendations
Scar-treatment records
Employment records
Prescription receipts
Travel expenses
Insurance communications
Avoid a Premature Settlement
Do not resolve the claim before understanding the permanent appearance changes, future treatment needs, functional limitations, and employment consequences.
Contact a Truck Wreck Lawyer Promptly
Early legal involvement can help preserve truck data, obtain video, interview witnesses, and identify all responsible parties.
How The Wooley Law Firm Handles Facial-Injury Claims
A facial-injury case requires more than sending medical bills to an adjuster.
Depending on the facts, The Wooley Law Firm may:
Investigate the collision
Obtain the crash report
Send evidence-preservation demands
Secure electronic truck data
Identify the driver and motor carrier
Investigate cargo-loading companies
Review driver qualification records
Examine hours-of-service evidence
Obtain maintenance and inspection records
Locate witnesses
Obtain available video footage
Analyze medical and surgical records
Document scars and disfigurement
Evaluate future reconstructive care
Calculate lost wages
Evaluate reduced earning capacity
Investigate available insurance coverage
Consult qualified experts
File suit when necessary
Prepare the case for trial
The goal is to determine why the wreck happened, identify every responsible party, and show how the facial injuries changed the victim’s appearance, health, work, and daily life.
Dallas-Fort Worth Facial Injury and Disfigurement Lawyer
The Wooley Law Firm represents seriously injured people throughout:
Dallas
Fort Worth
Arlington
Irving
Garland
Mesquite
Richardson
Plano
Frisco
McKinney
Allen
Denton
Lewisville
Carrollton
Grand Prairie
Grapevine
Mansfield
Keller
Southlake
North Texas
We also handle serious commercial-truck injury cases throughout Texas.
If you or a loved one suffered facial fractures, dental injuries, vision loss, permanent scarring, or disfigurement after an 18-wheeler wreck, call 214-699-6524.
You can also learn more by visiting our Dallas truck accident lawyer page.
Your consultation is free and confidential. You do not pay attorney’s fees unless we obtain a recovery for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Facial Injuries and Scarring
Can an 18-wheeler wreck cause permanent facial scars?
Yes. Deep cuts, burns, surgical incisions, skin loss, and other trauma may leave permanent scars even after appropriate medical treatment.
What is considered disfigurement in a Texas injury claim?
Disfigurement generally involves a lasting change in appearance, such as facial scarring, burns, loss of an eye, missing teeth, facial asymmetry, or visible surgical changes.
Can I recover compensation for a scar even if it does not affect movement?
Potentially, yes. A visible permanent scar may support a disfigurement claim even when it does not cause a separate functional limitation.
Can I recover compensation for plastic surgery?
Past and future reconstructive or scar-revision procedures may be included when supported by medical evidence and caused by the wreck.
What if the insurance company says my scar will fade?
Some scars improve over time, but improvement does not necessarily mean the scar will disappear. The claim should not be finalized until the long-term appearance and treatment needs are reasonably understood.
Can dental injuries be part of a truck-accident claim?
Yes. A claim may include dental reconstruction, implants, crowns, bridges, oral surgery, bone grafts, and future replacement treatment.
Can facial nerve damage be permanent?
Yes. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, facial nerve damage may cause lasting numbness, weakness, pain, or facial drooping.
Can I recover damages for anxiety or embarrassment caused by facial scarring?
Mental anguish and psychological harm may be relevant when supported by the evidence. Counseling records, testimony, and documentation of changes in daily life may be important.
What if I cannot return to a public-facing job?
The claim may include lost wages and reduced earning capacity when facial injuries, vision problems, speech problems, or emotional trauma interfere with employment.
How long do I have to file a truck-accident claim in Texas?
Texas law imposes filing deadlines. Different or shorter notice requirements may apply when a government-owned truck or public entity is involved.
Important truck data and video may disappear well before the legal deadline, so the investigation should begin promptly.
How much does it cost to hire The Wooley Law Firm?
The Wooley Law Firm handles personal-injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. You pay no upfront attorney’s fee and owe no attorney’s fee unless the firm obtains a recovery for you.
Speak With a Dallas-Fort Worth Truck Wreck Lawyer
A facial injury can affect how a person looks, speaks, eats, works, and interacts with the world.
You may be facing permanent scars, multiple surgeries, dental reconstruction, vision problems, emotional trauma, and uncertainty about your future. Meanwhile, the trucking company and its insurer may already be collecting evidence and building their defense.
You deserve someone protecting your interests.
Call The Wooley Law Firm at 214-699-6524 for a free consultation about facial injuries, scarring, or disfigurement caused by a Dallas-Fort Worth truck wreck.
You do not pay attorney’s fees unless we win.
Disclaimer:
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Facial injuries may involve the eyes, airway, brain, blood vessels, or other critical structures. Seek immediate medical attention after a serious collision. Reading this article or contacting The Wooley Law Firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Legal deadlines may apply, so you should consult a qualified Texas attorney regarding your specific circumstances.
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Andrew J. Wooley
Personal Injury Attorney
Andrew J. Wooley is a dedicated personal injury attorney based in Dallas, Texas. He focuses on helping accident victims recover fair compensation for their injuries. With a commitment to personalized service, Andrew works directly with each client to understand their unique situation and fight for their rights.
