There are many kinds of injuries that can change your life, but losing your vision is one that can take an immediate toll. There are a few ways in which a person could be blinded in an auto collision, such as if they suffer from a penetrating injury, have bruised or detached retinas from impact or have scarred corneas from the impact of the airbag and the accelerant that was released. Head injuries that damage the visual cortex may also cause vision loss.
Losing your vision can be devastating to your life. No matter what kind of work or hobbies you have, if you were a sighted person before the collision, then you may struggle to adapt to living with this new disability.
Whether it’s permanent or temporary, you should seek compensation for what you’re going through and to help you cover the cost of care.
What should you expect after an eye injury in an auto collision?
To start with, you should talk to your medical provider about the injury and how severe it is. Depending on the cause of your vision loss, your medical provider may give you a good prognosis for your vision to return or give you the bad news that it is unlikely to improve.
If the damage is due to a physical problem, like a detached retina, then you may need to have surgery. If the damage is related to swelling, then your medical team may use anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pressure on nerves and to improve blood flow as you heal.
For injuries caused by penetrating objects or chemical burns, immediate action should be taken to cleanse the eye and, if necessary, surgically repair it.
Not all people recover their vision after a collision
It’s the unfortunate truth that not all people recover their vision after an auto collision. If you have a visual impairment caused by a collision, it’s in your best interests to make a claim against the at-fault driver. You may be able to get the compensation you need to help replace your lost wages, to cover the cost of medical care and to cover other financial needs.