Broken Glass Injuries From Car Accidents: What You Should Know?
Key Highlights
- Broken glass injuries occur when the windshields or windows break and the glass becomes airborne and hits the passengers at a very high speed.
- The severity varies depending on aspects such as the depth of the cut, its location, the presence of glass within the wound, and the amount of bleeding. The severity of an injury can also be determined by the type of treatment required like stitches or surgery.
- Seriousness is determined medically on physical injury and recovery. Legally, it is determined by the impact of injury in everyday life, employment and long-term health.
- Medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, as well as scarring or disfigurement, may be compensated, especially when the cases are more severe.
The emotional and physical outcome of a vehicle collision is already overwhelming by itself and becomes more so when the passengers are injured by broken glass shards. Even small-looking wounds may be very painful and may cause severe complications such as infection or scarring. Knowing more about these injuries can enable you to know what to watch out for and when to seek assistance.
If you need help finding out what your legal options are after getting into a car accident, our experienced car accident lawyers at Tatum & Atkinson, PLLC will gladly help you.
Call 800-529-0804 today for a free consultation with a North Carolina car accident lawyer.
What Causes Broken Glass Injuries in Car Accidents?
Broken glass injuries occur when the windshields or windows break and the glass becomes airborne and hits the passengers at a very high speed. Crashes that shatter the glass and individuals hitting the window in the impact or being flung off the vehicle are often the causes of such injuries, resulting in deep cuts and glass embedded in the skin.
The scale of these injuries is significant. According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes result in an average of 3.8 million emergency department visits annually in the United States, with the majority of those injuries occurring among vehicle occupants.
Frequent causes of glass injuries from car accidents are:
- High-speed impact – Windows, windshields and rearview mirrors that are broken can cause glass shards to fly
- Ejection from vehicle – A passenger who is thrown out or strikes a window can break through the window, injuring themselves or leaving pieces of glass in their body
- Secondary contact or debris – The victims can have cuts made by falling over, stepping over or even touching glass debris
Common Types of Injuries from Shattered Glass
Broken glass wounds include minor scratches or severe and life-threatening injuries. It’s important to seek medical help promptly to prevent infection and nerve damage.
| Injury type | Description | Severity | Legal impact |
| Superficial cuts | Shallow skin cuts on the surface | Low | May be entitled to minor compensation based on treatment |
| Deep lacerations | Cuts that go deeper and may involve stitches or surgery | Moderate to high | Greater claim due to medical treatment and apparent trauma |
| Facial injuries | Facial cuts that can cause permanent scarring | High | Compensation should be higher due to disfigurement and emotional impact |
| Eye injuries | Broken glass shards entering or hitting the eye | Severe | There is a high value of claims because the victim might lose or suffer impairment of vision |
“In a case we were working on before, our client got hit on the driver’s side. The sunroof broke and it resulted in lacerations on her legs caused by broken glass. The case was resolved in less than a year and our client got the outcome she desired.” – Robert Tatum, Tatum & Atkinson, PLLC
Are Broken Glass Injuries Considered Serious?
Depending on the severity of the cut and other factors, broken glass injuries are minor or severe. To establish the serious nature of an injury, both the medical consequences and legal ones should be taken into account.
To put this in perspective, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that over 2.44 million people were injured in traffic crashes in 2023 alone, underscoring just how critical it is to understand the full extent of injuries, including those caused by broken glass.
Factors That Determine Injury Severity
There are a number of key factors that determine the severity of a broken glass injury.
- Severity of the injury
- Location of injury
- Glass bits embedded in the wound
- Blood loss and acute injuries
- Stitches, emergency or surgical requirements
- Recovery time and risk of infection or complications
When a Laceration Becomes a Serious Injury
The laceration is serious when it is more than a surface cut and requires treatment such as stitches or surgery. It is also severe when it leads to excessive loss of blood, paralysis, or loss of movement. Injuries to the body that cause permanent scarring or impact the functioning of a body part are considered significant injuries. Even tiny looking injuries may prove to be severe when they succumb to infection or when they need constant attention.
Medical vs. Legal Definitions of Serious Injury
In the field of medicine, a serious injury refers to the extent of injury caused to the body and the required treatment in order to recover.
In law though, a serious injury is commonly characterized by the impact that the injury has on the life of the individual. This covers medical expenses, lost time, permanent scarring and long term disability.
Due to this, even injuries that do not appear to be that severe medically can be considered serious in a legal case.
What Compensation Can You Recover for Glass-Related Injuries?
When a car accident causes broken glass injuries, such injuries might not only result in immediate medical care but could also pose enduring physical, emotional and financial problems.
Medical Expenses and Future Treatment Costs
Medical costs are one of the most important factors in a broken glass injury claim. They include short and long-term requirements of care in recovery.
Includes:
- Emergency room visits
- Physician visits and follow-ups
- Wound care, surgery and stitches
- Medication and antibiotics
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
In severe situations, the victims might require some continued care due to infection or nerve damage. Such future costs are also covered by compensation in case it is expected.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
Broken glass wounds may interfere with the work capacity of a person, both short-term and long-term.
Key points:
- Reimbursement of time lost at work during recuperation
- Compensation of the missed shifts or hours
- Compensation for reduced work performance
- Long-term loss in case the individual is not able to resume the work
- Future income loss for permanent limitations
Pain and Suffering Damages
Pain and suffering damages look at the effects of the injury to an individual physically and emotionally.
This may include:
- Surgical or physical pain (cuts, stitches or surgery)
- Pain during recovery and healing
- Mental anguish or anxiety
- Stress because of the accident
- Fear of permanent scars or complications
These damages are not predetermined, as in the case with medical bills, but are determined by the severity of the injury and its implications in day-to-day life.
Compensation for Scarring and Disfigurement
In some instances, broken glass injuries may cause permanent marks, making a claim more valuable.
Common impacts include:
- Face, hands and arm scars
- Long-term alterations in appearance
- Emotional damage and lack of self-esteem
- Social or psychological distress
- Need for cosmetic or reconstructive surgery
Even when a person is healed physically, the quality of life may be impaired by the presence of permanent scars, which explains why disfigurement is put into consideration during compensation.
Call Tatum and Atkinson, PLLC and Understand Your Legal Rights
Our attorneys at Tatum and Atkinson, PLLC have achieved over $100 million in compensation on behalf of our injured clients and we’re available for a free consultation if you’re suffering from injuries after a crash. When you are not sure whether to hire a lawyer, our attorneys will be able to consider the specifics of your accident, clarify your legal rights, and help you seek the compensation you need. In case we accept your case, you would not owe us anything unless we win or otherwise. Call 800-LAW-0804 today to learn more.
Disclaimer: This article is informational and it is not legal advice. Every case is different. Discussion with a lawyer may assist you in knowing your individual legal alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a piece of glass stay in your body?
Glass may remain a long time in your body unless you remove it. It can be painful, swollen or infected, hence doctors normally have to remove it.
How long does it take for a glass wound to heal?
Small glass cuts can typically be cured after a few days. Severe wounds can take weeks or more especially where stitches are necessary or where there is any complication like infection.
How do you know if a glass cut is serious?
It’s considered serious when it’s deep, bleeds profusely or exposes fat or muscle. Sensation of numbness, excruciating pain or infection are also indicative that you should visit a physician.
What should you do if broken glass cuts you?
Rinse the cut with fresh water and apply pressure to prevent bleeding. Wrap it up with a bandage or clean cloth. See a doctor when a cut is deep or painful.
Can tiny glass splinters come out on their own?
Some will come out by themselves, but most do not. When left on the skin they may cause pain or infection and medical removal is necessary.
