If you have been hit or sideswiped by a merging driver who has failed to make a safe maneuver, you could suffer many types of injuries. One of the most common is a dental injury, caused when the driver’s, or passenger’s, face hits something in the car hard because of the impact of the collision.
Typical dental injuries are broken teeth or teeth actually forced out of the mouth. These are serious injuries and will need emergency dental surgery and treatment. The replacement of missing teeth is likely to be very expensive, so it is important to think seriously about filing a personal injury claim against the merging driver. The cost of dental treatment, lost earnings and compensation for the pain and suffering caused could be obtained. Talk to a personal injury lawyer about your legal options.
Cost of Dental Injuries After a Merging Accident
If you have to replace teeth that have been removed or lost after a car accident, you can reckon on $1,000 to $3,000 per implant. The front teeth tend to be easier to deal with and a little cheaper than replacing molars at the back of the mouth. A full mouth restoration could easily amount to $10,000 or more and that is just for the dental treatment.
If you decide to file a personal injury claim, you will need to include the cost of lost wages or other earnings, as this will be significant. Most personal injury claims also include a ‘pain and suffering’ component. Smashed teeth are definitely very painful, so this component could be as high, or higher, than the actual cost of dental treatment.
Filing a Claim for Dental Injuries After a Merging Accident
You can’t just present a claim for compensation to a driver’s insurer without any documentation to back your claim up. You will need evidence that you were hit by a negligent driver. You will also need to show that the crash caused the injuries you had to find treatment for. You will also need to submit a whole load of invoices and receipts that show how much the injury has cost you.
With a total repair bill that could be anything up to $10,000 or more, you need to take time to get your claim well substantiated, but at the same time not leave it too late. Eye witnesses, for example, can provide useful evidence that the accident happened the way you say it did and help to convince an insurer that their client was negligent.
Each state has different rules about personal injury claims, but most allow claims to be made when injuries are serious, even in ‘no fault’ states. Each state makes a rule, known as the statute of limitations, which puts a time limit on when a claim should be made. It is best to file a claim as soon as you think you have suitable supporting evidence.
Why You Should Speak With a PI Lawyer
Representation from an experienced personal injury lawyer can make the difference between a fair compensation payment and an unfair one. There is little to be gained from avoiding using a lawyer to help you with an important claim. Most PI lawyers do not make you pay legal fees in advance and will normally provide at least one free initial consultation.
