Until the advent of air bags, most nose injuries resulted from the nose hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield. Injuries to the nose require evaluation and imaging studies in an emergency room as soon as possible to rule out deeper injuries to the skull, brain and facial bones. Such injuries may require immediate surgical intervention.

Fractures of the nasal bones may involve the bones of the septum (the bones and cartilage separating the nostrils) as well as the bones surrounding the eyes.  These bones include the nasal, maxilla, lacrimal and frontal bones.  Direct trauma to the bridge of the nose may also result in damage to part of the base of the skull called the cribiform plate.  This type of injury may cause cerebrospinal fluid to leak through the nose.  Fractures may also damage the membranes that line the nasal passages leading to the formation of scar tissue, airway obstruction, and damage to the sense of smell. Unrepaired nasal injuries can lead to a permanently deformed nose, a deviated septum, acute blood loss, and airway obstruction.

If you have been involved in an Alpharetta car wreck and suffered a serious nasal injury, you should contact an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney to make sure your rights are protected.