This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Ruben Davidoff following our comprehensive editorial guidelines Ruben Davidoff ,the Founding Partner, has 30+ years of legal experience as a New York personal injury attorney.
Dental and jaw injuries are more common than people think after a car accident. These injuries can cause sharp pain, trouble eating or talking, and may need surgery or long-term care. Even if the injury doesn’t seem serious at first, it can lead to lasting damage, especially if ignored. Many victims are left struggling with medical bills, missed work, and emotional distress caused by facial pain or disfigurement.
Davidoff Law understands how painful and overwhelming this experience can be. Our Queens car accident dental and jaw injury attorney helps car accident victims across New York City pursue full compensation for dental and jaw injuries. We take on insurance companies and build strong cases so you don’t have to worry about anything but healing.
Whether you’ve lost teeth, suffered a jaw fracture, or developed nerve pain after a crash, our personal injury attorneys are ready to help you get the care and support you deserve.
Table of Contents
Why Dental and Jaw Injuries After a Car Accident Require Legal Help
Dental and jaw injuries may not always seem urgent, but they can cause long-term problems that affect how you speak, eat, or live your daily life. Many of these injuries are overlooked or misjudged by insurance companies, making it harder for accident victims to receive fair compensation without strong legal representation.
The Force of Impact and Facial Trauma
When a car accident happens, the force from the crash can push your face into the steering wheel, dashboard, or airbag. Even with seat belts and airbags, the impact can cause jaw fractures, broken teeth, or damage to the jaw joint.
These injuries are often painful and can limit your ability to eat, talk, or work. For many injured victims, facial trauma becomes one of the most difficult parts of recovery after a serious crash.
Injuries That Are Often Dismissed or Delayed
Some dental and jaw injuries don’t show up right away after a car accident. You might not feel the pain until hours or days later. Cracked teeth, jaw misalignment, or joint issues like TMJ disorders can worsen over time.
Because these injuries are not always visible, insurance companies may try to downplay them. That’s why many car accident victims don’t get the help they need unless they speak to a personal injury lawyer early on.
The Importance of Medical and Legal Documentation
Getting immediate medical attention is key. Dentists, oral surgeons, and doctors can help identify all the damage, even the kind that doesn’t show up in an X-ray. Just as important is working with a law firm that knows how to gather crucial evidence, like medical records, photos, and expert opinions.
This helps support your personal injury claim and makes it harder for the insurance company to deny or reduce your case.
Types of Dental and Jaw Injuries from Car Accidents
A car accident can cause a range of serious injuries to the face and jaw. These injuries are often painful and may need surgery, dental implants, or long-term care. Some injuries also affect how you eat, speak, or sleep.
A few of the most common dental and jaw injuries suffered by car accident victims in New York City include:
Jaw Fractures and Dislocations
The jawbone can easily break or become dislocated during a crash. This happens when the head hits the steering wheel, dashboard, or airbag. A fractured or dislocated jaw may need wires, plates, or even surgery to heal.
It can cause problems with chewing, speaking, and facial movement -- sometimes leading to permanent injuries that affect your well being and everyday life.
Broken or Lost Teeth
Even minor crashes can result in chipped, cracked, or completely knocked-out teeth. These injuries often require root canals, crowns, or implants. If untreated, they can lead to infections and more serious dental problems. Treating broken or missing teeth can be costly, especially if the damage affects your bite or causes pain in your jaw joint.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorders
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull and helps you speak and chew. After a car accident, this joint can become damaged or inflamed. TMJ disorders may cause jaw pain, clicking sounds, headaches, or trouble opening and closing your mouth.
These problems can last for weeks or even years and may require physical therapy, mouth guards, or surgery. Many New York personal injury lawyers understand that TMJ injuries are often overlooked and fight to include them in your personal injury claim.
Soft Tissue and Nerve Damage
Facial trauma in a crash can lead to soft tissue injuries, such as torn gums, deep cuts, and bruising around the mouth and jaw. In more serious cases, the nerves around the face and jaw can be damaged, leading to numbness, tingling, or chronic pain.
Nerve damage is especially hard to treat and may cause long-term problems. An experienced personal injury attorney will know how to include this in your claim for fair compensation.
Legal Rights of Dental and Jaw Injury Victims in Queens
If you suffered dental or jaw injuries in a car accident, you may have legal rights to recover money for your treatment, pain, and missed work. In New York, car crash laws can be complex, especially when it comes to personal injury claims. The sections below explain how the rules work and what you need to prove.
Understanding New York’s No-Fault Rules
New York is a no-fault state. This means your own car insurance pays for medical care and lost income after an accident, no matter who caused it. However, no-fault coverage doesn’t include pain and suffering or cover all types of treatment, especially if your dental or jaw injuries are severe.
To go beyond no-fault and file a personal injury lawsuit, you need to meet certain conditions. A skilled personal injury attorney can explain how these rules apply to your situation and help you seek compensation beyond basic coverage.
Meeting the “Serious Injury” Threshold
In order to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver in New York, your injury must meet the “serious injury” threshold under state law. This includes fractures, permanent loss of body function, or significant disfigurement.
Many dental and jaw injuries, such as broken jaws, missing teeth, or long-term TMJ disorders, can meet this standard, especially when they affect eating, speaking, or appearance. Once this threshold is met, you may be able to pursue full compensation for damages beyond what no-fault insurance covers.
Proving Negligence and Liability
To win your personal injury case, you must show that someone else caused the crash. This might include a reckless driver, someone who was texting while driving, or a person who violated traffic laws.
Proving negligence requires crucial evidence, like photos, medical records, and witness statements. A strong legal team will work to show how the other party’s actions directly caused your injuries and losses.
Compensation for Dental and Jaw Injuries
Victims of car accidents with dental or jaw injuries may face serious medical needs and financial strain. If someone else caused your injury, you may be able to recover money through a personal injury claim.
In Queens, the law allows injured people to pursue damages for both financial costs and personal suffering, as explained in the sections below.
Current and Future Medical Expenses
Jaw and dental injuries often need emergency care, surgery, and long-term dental work. You may also need follow-up visits, implants, or braces. These treatments can be expensive. A strong personal injury case can help you recover not only your current medical bills, but also the future medical expenses you may face for ongoing care and recovery.
Pain and Suffering Damages
The pain from broken teeth, jaw fractures, or nerve damage can last for months -- or longer. It can make it hard to eat, sleep, or talk. These types of damages are not covered by no-fault insurance, but they are part of a personal injury lawsuit. You may be entitled to money for physical pain, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment in daily life.
Loss of Function and Quality of Life
Injuries to the jaw or teeth can affect how you eat, speak, and interact with others. If you’ve suffered permanent injuries or ongoing pain, your daily routine may be limited in ways you didn’t expect. This loss of function can lead to frustration, emotional distress, and a lower quality of life. A fair personal injury claim should reflect these very real impacts on your well-being.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
After a car accident, you may miss days or even weeks of work due to medical appointments or recovery time. Some car accident victims find they can’t return to the same job if the injury affects their ability to speak, manage stress, or perform physical tasks. Your attorney will work to recover lost wages and, when necessary, the long-term value of your reduced earning capacity.
What To Do After Suffering a Dental or Jaw Injury in a Car Accident
Taking the right steps after a car accident can help protect your health and your legal rights. If you suffered a dental or jaw injury, acting quickly matters.
Here are important actions that may support your personal injury claim and strengthen your case for fair compensation:
Seek Emergency Medical and Dental Treatment
Always seek medical attention right after the accident, even if the pain seems minor. Jaw fractures and tooth damage may not be obvious right away. A dental or medical exam can help catch injuries early and begin the right treatment. Prompt care also creates clear medical records that can support your legal case.
Preserve Evidence and Take Photos
If possible, take pictures of your injuries, damaged teeth, and the accident scene. Save broken dental devices, bloodied clothing, or anything else that shows what happened. Keep copies of medical bills, dentist reports, and your police report. This kind of crucial evidence may help show the extent of the damage and who was at fault.
Avoid Speaking to Insurance Without Legal Advice
Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly after a crash, but it’s best not to speak with them before getting legal guidance. What you say could be used to limit or deny your insurance claims. Many personal injury accident victims don’t realize how statements can hurt their car accident cases. Let a lawyer speak on your behalf to protect your rights.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Getting help from an experienced car accident lawyer can make a big difference when dealing with serious car accident injuries. A trusted personal injury firm understands the legal process and how to gather the evidence needed for a strong case. Davidoff Law offers a free case evaluation to help you understand your options. We’re here to fight for your recovery and guide you every step of the way.
FAQs
What should I do if a family member suffered a jaw injury in a car crash?
If a family member is hurt in a crash, help them seek immediate medical treatment and document everything. Jaw injuries can be serious and need quick attention. Then, speak with experienced attorneys who provide personal attention and can guide you through the steps to protect your loved one’s rights.
Can jaw injuries happen in truck accidents or other motor vehicle accidents?
Yes. Jaw and dental injuries often happen in truck accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and serious accidents involving excessive speed or reckless driving. These injuries may also come with head trauma, knee injury, or other physical harm that requires long-term care and legal action.
How can a lawyer help after a dental or jaw injury?
An attorney can interview witnesses, review medical records, and look at property damage reports. A skilled lawyer considers various factors like liability, long-term effects, and care needs. Their goal is to help New Yorkers make informed decisions and recover what they deserve.
Why is legal help important in dental injury cases?
Injuries to the jaw or teeth may not seem serious at first but can lead to major issues over time. Experienced attorneys can evaluate your claim, understand how medical treatment fits into your case, and fight for compensation based on your needs.
Do lawyers provide personal attention to these types of cases?
Yes. Davidoff Law knows every client is different. We give each case personal attention because we understand the lasting impact of injuries on your daily life. Whether you’re dealing with serious accidents or minor damage, we’re here to support you.
Contact Our Queens Car Accident Dental and Jaw Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one suffered a dental or jaw injury in a crash, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. Our Queens car accident dental and jaw injury attorney is here to help. At Davidoff Law, our law offices have handled complex cases involving jaw fractures, medical malpractice cases, and even wrongful death. We take every case seriously and offer a free consultation so you can understand your rights with no obligation.
Our team conducts a thorough investigation into the accident, reviews medical records, and fights for a fair settlement or takes your case to court if needed. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win. We've obtained millions for clients across many practice areas. Read our client testimonials to see how we’ve helped others, then contact us today to get started.
Ruben Davidoff, founder of Davidoff Law, established his practice in 2012 after moving to Queens in 1988 and beginning his legal career in 1997. Admitted in NY State and the US District Court for the Eastern District of NY, he has extensive experience in personal injury, handling various cases like airline crashes, auto accidents, and slip/trip and fall cases. Mr. Davidoff provides personalized attention, recovering millions for clients through settlements or verdicts, leveraging decades of experience.
