Car accident injuries are most usually observed in the victim’s head and neck, spinal column, back, and face. Dental damage, scratches and bruises, and even TMJ are all common facial injuries. There is something you can do if you discover you have TMJ after a Georgia car accident, starting with contacting us and getting help from our professional Albany car accident lawyers. Continue reading to find out what measures to take.
What Is TMJ After an Albany Car Accident?
TMJ stands for “temporomandibular joints,” regardless of how you got it. As they link your jawbone to your skull, these joints are crucial. This link is essential for you to be able to eat, speak, and even produce facial expressions, which is why you use your temporomandibular joints a lot. They’re also one of your body’s most complicated joints. These joints are located on the sides of your head, near your ear.
Occurrence of TMJ After Georgia Car Accidents:
Whiplash is the cause of TMJ following a car accident. Extreme forces are not intended for the delicate tissues of the temporomandibular joints. As whiplash most usually happens in the neck, where the tiny amount of tissue in your throat and spine is already pressured by the weight of your head, it is the most typical location for it.
Whiplash can happen in a car accident even if the speed was just 9 mph. Whiplash is a typical consequence, particularly following a rear-end collision. Your head weighs between 10 and 12 pounds while you’re standing or seated. There’s already an amount of stress. However, even a 15-degree forward lean adds at least 15 pounds to the weight of your head.
As your jaw is simply held together by soft tissue joints, it is also stressed after an accident. Even if you don’t strike your jaw, those joints might be damaged. TMJ is the outcome, though it might take years for symptoms to appear.
Symptoms of TMJ:
If you suspect you have TMJ as a result of a car accident, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can not only rule out any other potential issues but can also begin treating you straight away. And, if you intend to seek compensation for your TMJ as a consequence of a car accident, you’ll need everything recorded to support your case.
The following are some of the most prevalent TMJ symptoms:
- Locked jaw
- When you open or close your mouth, especially when eating, you hear a clicking sound
- Face tenderness or a dull, agonizing discomfort, particularly when waking
- Chewing or biting becomes difficult or uncomfortable
- Headaches that don’t go away
- Ringing in the ears
- In your sinuses, you may experience stuffiness or pain
- Neck, shoulder, and back pain
- Light sensitivity
- Dizziness
- Hearing issues
- Sensitive teeth
- Depression
Tests for TMJ:
If you believe you have TMJ after a Georgia car accident but your dentist or doctor hasn’t diagnosed you, get advice from someone else. If you have many symptoms, you may need to receive therapy from a variety of sources, including your primary care physician, dentist, and even an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Most of the time, they’ll perform an MRI on your jaw to see what’s going on inside.
They’ll also give you a physical exam to check for any tenderness in your joints and muscles. They’ll then ask you to slide your teeth from one side to the other. Your dentist will examine your bite alignment to verify that nothing is out of sync. When your jaw opens and shuts, your dentist or doctor may want to see, listen to, and feel it.
They’ll also want to take x-rays to see if there’s anything abnormal with your jaw. Finally, a doctor or dentist will probably push on various parts of your head to assess discomfort and sensitivity.
When Will You Need Our Georgia Car Accident Lawyers?
It’s not an easy claim to make if TMJ after a car accident hasn’t been officially proved. As a result, insurance companies frequently dismiss TMJ claims. Unless there is proof of direct impact to your jaw that results in a break, you should anticipate your claim to be denied by the insurance company.
According to research, however, one out of every three car accident victims who suffer from whiplash are more likely to develop TMJ pain and discomfort than those who do not suffer from whiplash injuries.
We’ve worked with a wide range of car accidents. If you’re suffering from TMJ after a Georgia car accident or any other sort of pain, don’t wait until it’s too late to get help. You are entitled to cash compensation for your losses, injuries, and pain and suffering. Contact our Georgia car accident attorneys today as we provide a free case evaluation.
