Treatments for dental injuries vary widely depending on the extent of the damage. In some cases, patients may not need any treatment at all. However, when more serious injuries occur and require treatment, an accident victim may have several options to consider.
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If you're involved in a car accident, your first concern may be for your own safety—but you also may be concerned about the effect the accident will have on your teeth. Will my dental injuries be covered after a car accident? If so, who will pay for the dental work?
Tort law covers bodily injury in a car accident. You may receive compensation for your medical expenses and for pain and suffering, but not for lost wages or property damage. "Tort" is another word for a wrongful act, so it is an area of law that deals with negligence and damages. In other words, if someone's actions cause damage to you or your property, they are liable to pay money damages to compensate you.
Common Dental Injuries Following a Car Accident
Having been in an accident can be a traumatic experience, especially if you sustained injuries. Often, such injuries are obvious and visible, like a cut on your arm or a bruise on your leg. But sometimes, they are not so obvious. In fact, some injuries are internal, and they may not even be noticeable to the naked eye.
One of the biggest problems with dental injuries caused by a car crash is that people do not pay much attention to them at first because they do not seem too serious or life-threatening. But over time, when pain persists, it becomes more difficult to ignore the injury and seek treatment for it. Some people find themselves ignoring the injury out of embarrassment or fear that they might need to see a dentist and pay out of their own pocket.
The most common types of dental injuries that occur as a result of a car accident are:
1. Broken/chipped teeth.
2. Crushed or loosened teeth.
3. Chipped tooth enamel
4. Fractured jawbone
5. Whiplash (in some cases)
The extent of your injuries will be dependent upon the speed of impact, which type of vehicle you were in, and how you were positioned in relation to the steering wheel or dashboard at the time of impact."
Who Pays For My Dental Injuries Due to A Car Accident?
If you are in an auto accident and suffer dental injuries, that is a car accident injury. However, the question becomes whether or not your PIP insurance benefits will cover your dental injuries or if you need to go after the other driver's bodily injury coverage for payment. Most states have what is known as "No-Fault" car insurance laws. This means that no matter whose fault the accident was, your injury claim will fall under your own (or your passengers) car insurance policy. Therefore, if you were injured in a car accident and suffered dental injuries, then chances are good that your PIP insurance benefits will cover those injuries.
However, in many cases, the other driver's bodily injury coverage may be required to pay for your dental injuries. If this is the case, it is important to hire a personal injury attorney who can help you receive the money you deserve for those injuries. You should also seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury attorney so they can help guide you through the process of filing your claim. When you are in Portland, check out how a Portland personal injury attorney can help you out.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Dealing with insurance companies can be complicated, especially when dealing with an injury or medical bills. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf so that you get the highest amount possible for your claim. If necessary, they can also represent you in court and make the other driver responsible for their actions!
Will My Insurance Get Me Covered?
After a car accident, you may be concerned about dental injuries. When can you expect dental coverage in your Dental Health Benefits?
If you are involved in an accident, your dentist's standard dental coverage will probably not apply because car accidents are typically considered an "emergency." This means your dentist will take care of your injuries immediately and bill the responsible party or their insurance company directly for payment. However, if you want additional coverage for comprehensive dentistry needs following a car accident, it may benefit you to purchase optional Dental Accident Insurance from your dentist or through an independent agency.
Takeaway
While dental injuries are certainly not the most serious injuries that one can sustain in a car accident, they are still a major cause for concern. Injuries to one's mouth, teeth, and gums can be painful and can cause significant problems with eating and digestion if not treated properly. Plus, dental treatment can be costly, so it's important to check with an attorney if you believe the crash wasn't your fault.
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Author Atty Jim Dwyer
Atty Jim Dwyer is a relationship-driven attorney, who has been practicing law for over three decades and comes from a family of experienced and responsive personal injury lawyers. He is passionate about helping people who have suffered from life-changing injuries navigate how to make the best possible choices about their specific situation and circumstances. His number one goal is to ensure that people get the information they require, the care they need, and the justice they deserve.