Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog
Car accidents in North Miami and across South Florida can lead to many kinds of injuries, including back injuries, fractures, traumatic brain injury, whiplash, and more. One of the most emotionally difficult injuries to sustain can be scarring and disfigurement.
While it can be dismissed by insurance companies as largely “cosmetic,” scarring can have a profound impact on a car crash survivor’s life and it’s important that we take this injury seriously.
What Do I Need to Know About Scarring?
There are many misconceptions about scarring and disfigurement, and it’s important that survivors seek the fairest compensation possible because scarring can lead to:
- Mobility issues: Scarring happens when the skin is affected by trauma or burns. If the damage affects not just the top layers of skin but also the muscles and tissue underneath, moving that part of the body becomes difficult.
- Income challenges: Scarring and disfigurement can impact work prospects, especially in public-facing roles. About 60% of job hunters with scars report feeling that their appearance has negatively impacted their career prospects, with another 30% reporting they have experienced bullying in the workplace because of their appearance.
- Emotional distress: Unkind comments and stares can make it hard to adjust to life with a serious, permanent injury. Individuals who have been in a serious car crash may already experience PTSD and seeing people’s reactions as well as the changes to their appearance can lead to depression and mental distress.
- Pain: Not all scars lead to pain, but some can cause chronic pain, itching, or a feeling of tightness. This can happen because nerve endings are regenerating, although in some cases doctors aren’t sure why some patients experience pain and discomfort.
What Kind of Treatment is Available?
The good news is that in North Miami and South Florida, there are many treatment options and clinics available for car accident patients who face scarring and disfigurement. Treatments may include:
- Surgery, especially to restore mobility
- Skin grafts, where skin is taken from another part of the body and attached to the affected area
- Gels and topical treatments
- Excision, dermabrasion, or laser surgery, which can resurface the skin and make some scarring less noticeable
- Therapy, to help patients deal with the trauma of their accident and injuries
- Injections, including fillers and collagen, which can plump out some scars and smooth out the skin
The outcome is different with each patient and in many cases the treatment process is long. A doctor may need to wait for a year or more for scarring to stop improving, for example, before suggesting skin grafts or other treatment which can reduce the appearance of scars.
How Can I Get the Support I Need?
While there are many treatments available for scarring, they do cost money and, unfortunately, insurance companies sometimes claim these are “cosmetic” and refuse to pay for treatment, even when the procedures would help a car collision survivor heal. Before you make an insurance claim, you may want to speak with an experienced North Miami car accident attorney to find out how much your case may really be worth.
It doesn’t have to cost money to speak with an experienced attorney, either. The legal team at Flaxman Law Group have recovered over $100 million in settlements and court wins for our clients and we bring over 60 years of combined experience to the table, but we’re also pleased to offer free, no obligation consultations to South Florida residents who have been injured.
If you would like to schedule your free, no obligation case consultation, call Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 or contact us online.