Examples of Disfigurement in Tampa Car Crashes

Disfigurement is one of the most challenging consequences of a Tampa car accident. This is more than a medical problem, and it also affects the victim’s mental health. If you have experienced this firsthand, you may be struggling with issues related to self-esteem, self-image, and self-confidence. Is it possible to recover compensation if you have been disfigured in a Florida car crash? To answer this question, you must first understand the legal definition of “disfigurement.”

Burns 

Fiery crashes can easily cause disfiguring burns. These accidents are quite common, as vehicles frequently catch fire after crashing. In some cases, cars explode – engulfing victims in flames and causing serious burns across their entire bodies. Some vehicles are more prone to catching fire than others, and some vehicles are capable of causing massive explosions. A clear example is a fuel tanker truck, which can cause a devastating blast if its liquid cargo ignites.

 Amputations 

Another obvious example of a disfigurement is an amputation. Serious crashes may tear away limbs, hands, and feet. Even the loss of a single finger could qualify as a disfigurement. In some cases, limbs are so badly damaged after car accidents that doctors have no choice but to amputate. Amputations not only cause mental health issues, but they also lead to physical limitations.

 Scars 

Even though lacerations are generally seen as light injuries, they can still cause permanent scars. These scars can be particularly troublesome on the facial area, and victims may struggle with self-esteem issues for the rest of their lives.

 Fractures That Do Not Heal Properly 

A fracture could also lead to permanent disfigurement if it does not heal properly. This is particularly common for “multiple fractures.” A multiple fracture occurs when a specific bone (such as the femur) is broken in several places. The chances of the bone healing properly are relatively low, and the end result could be a deformed limb. This may lead to self-esteem issues and physical limitations.

 Facial Fractures 

Even if a bone heals “properly,” it may still end with disfigurements. This is generally true with serious facial fractures. Cheekbones, jaws, noses, and other facial features have extremely delicate bones. When these broken bones heal, the face may look drastically different – and this could constitute disfigurement.

Can I Get Extra Compensation for a Disfigurement?

 It is possible to receive additional compensation for disfigurement, since this counts as a “non-economic damage” in Florida. Although it may be difficult to pursue non-economic damages due to Florida’s no-fault system, a serious injury allows you to circumvent these insurance limitations. A permanent disfigurement is a clear example of a serious injury.

Can a Tampa Accident Lawyer Help Me Get Compensation for Disfigurement? 

If you have been disfigured in a car accident, a Tampa auto accident lawyer may be able to help you recover the compensation you deserve. That being said, disfigurement is only one example of a non-economic damage in Florida – and there may be many others worth discussing. To continue this conversation in more detail, consider a consultation with Anderson & Anderson today.

Sources:

 uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/cmc/fracture/malunion

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559290/