Broken Noses from Car Accidents: Symptoms and Treatments

About half of the facial fractures that occur are broken noses. Nasal bone fractures, as they are also known, happen twice as often in men as they do in women. When it comes to car accidents, broken noses are pretty common. 

Did you know that a car only needs to be going 10 mph for a broken nose to occur? It really doesn’t take much. Since the average airbag doesn’t deploy if a car is going slower than 15 mph, most car accident-related nasal fractures tend to occur at these lower speeds when an airbag did not deploy. Most often, a car accident-related broken nose is sustained when the driver’s face hits the steering wheel.

If you suffered a broken nose in a crash, you might need extensive medical treatment, including possible surgery. Contact a car accident lawyer in San Francisco to discuss your legal options.

Indications of a Fractured Nose

One of the easiest ways to tell if your nose is broken is if you hear it break. Lots of people who have suffered from nasal bone fractures say that they heard a “cracking noise” when their nose was impacted. In addition to this less technical means of identifying a broken nose, look for:

• A contusion, or bruising, at the impact spot
• Swelling and tenderness
• A black eye (two black eyes from one broken nose is not uncommon)
• Ongoing nasal discharge like a runny nose when you don’t have a cold
• Bleeding
• Labored breathing through the nose
• The appearance of the nose is different (looking crooked or cock-eyed now when before the impact, it looked straight)

Allow several days from the time of the car accident for these symptoms to fully materialize.

Treating a Broken Nose

The first order of business, of course, is stopping the bleeding. In a seated or standing position (the nose should be higher than the heart), lean slightly forward to ensure the blood doesn’t flow down into your stomach, place an ice pack on the bridge of the nose, and insert a wad of gauze into the nose (not too far). Only keep the ice on for 10-15 minutes, then remove it. Leaving ice on too long can cause nerve damage. Avoid pinching the bridge of the nose trying to slow down the bleeding. Likewise, the ice pack should just be sitting gently on the nose without any pressure applied.

You can tell a nose fracture is more serious if:

• The bleeding doesn’t stop
• The skin of your nose is torn or punctured
• It is accompanied by an intense headache
• A blood clot has formed in your septum (the middle “separator” part of the nose)—if this goes untreated, you could develop a condition called Saddle Nose Deformity, where the septum collapses
• A clear, water-like liquid is seeping out of your nose—this could be cerebrospinal fluid leaking from your brain, which can lead to meningitis and/or damage your nervous system, which can prove deadly.

As soon as possible, go to the emergency room or see your doctor. You need a diagnosis and treatment plan right away following your crash. 

Broken Nose Treatments

A broken nose generally heals in several weeks. If basic things like icing, elevating, pain relief medication, and rest are not alleviating your symptoms, some options your doctor may pursue include:

• Nasal realignment surgery
• Manual nose realignment (your doctor will move your nose back into place with her hands while you are under anesthesia after the swelling has mostly subsided)
• Draining a hematoma (blood trapped under your skin) in your nose—this should be done as soon as possible after the symptoms have been observed
• Placing a splint or gauze packing inside the nose to help hold the nose in place as it heals (the same principle as an external cast to stabilize the bone)
• A round of antibiotics may also be called for if there is any reason to believe you might be at risk for developing an infection

If you are experiencing a blocked nasal cavity that is making nasal breathing difficult or impossible after any of the above treatments, nasal reconstruction surgery could be required. There are two types of broken nose surgeries:

• Rhinoplasty surgery—your surgeon will rearrange or shave down the inner bone and cartilage of your nose, resulting in a new nose shape free from obstructed breathing
• Septoplasty surgery—your surgeon will do the same process as above but to your septum cartilage instead of the bridge/bone area

Damages for Broken Nose Injuries

When a broken nose occurs as a result of a car crash that someone else caused, various types of damages may be pursued in a personal injury claim. Here are some common categories of damages:

• Medical Expenses: This includes the costs associated with medical treatment for the broken nose, such as hospital bills, emergency room visits, surgical procedures, consultations with specialists, prescription medications, and any necessary follow-up care.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation can be sought for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress caused by the broken nose and its impact on your daily life, including any resulting scarring or disfigurement.
• Lost Wages: If the injury causes you to miss work or results in decreased earning capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for the wages you have lost or will lose in the future due to the injury.
• Property Damage: If your personal belongings, such as glasses or other items, were damaged or destroyed in the car accident, you can seek compensation for their repair or replacement.
• Rehabilitation and Therapy: If you require physical therapy or rehabilitation to recover from the broken nose and associated injuries, the costs of these treatments can be included in your claim.
• Future Medical Expenses: In cases where the broken nose leads to ongoing medical issues or requires future corrective procedures, you may be entitled to compensation for anticipated medical expenses.

Call a San Francisco Broken Nose Injury Lawyer

Cartwright Law has handled many types of car accident injury cases. Our San Francisco injury lawyers are experienced and passionate about helping victims like you exercise their legal rights and get the highest compensation they are entitled to. Call us at 415-433-04444 or reach out online so we can start fighting back for you.