Illinois Orbital Fracture Lawyers

Attorneys for Broken Eye Sockets from Car Accidents, Trucking Crashes, and Falls

An orbital fracture is a break in one or more of the bones surrounding the eye. Sometimes called an eye socket fracture or a “blowout fracture,” an orbital fracture can occur when a significant force strikes the face, causing the thin bones surrounding the eye to break. Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, falls, sports injuries, and assaults can all cause orbital fractures.

Although an orbital fracture may initially appear to be a facial injury, the consequences can extend far beyond bruising around the eye. The orbit contains the eyeball, muscles responsible for eye movement, nerves, blood vessels, and other delicate structures. A serious fracture can therefore affect vision, eye movement, appearance, and overall quality of life.

When an orbital fracture results from another person’s negligence, the injured person may have a personal injury claim for compensation. In Illinois, those claims can involve medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and other legally recoverable damages.

“An orbital fracture can be much more than a broken bone around the eye. When an accident causes vision problems, facial disfigurement, or the need for surgery, we need to understand both the immediate injury and the long-term consequences. Our job is to build the evidence necessary to show how the accident happened and how it has affected our client’s life.” — John J. Malm, Naperville injury lawyer

What Is an Orbital Fracture?

The orbit is the bony cavity that surrounds and protects the eye. Several bones contribute to the structure of the eye socket, including portions of the frontal, maxillary, zygomatic, ethmoid, sphenoid, and palatine bones.

An orbital fracture can involve different portions of this structure. A “blowout fracture” commonly involves the orbital floor or medial orbital wall. Because some of these bones are relatively thin, substantial trauma can cause them to fracture even when the eye itself initially appears intact.

Medical literature identifies motor vehicle collisions, falls, assaults, and sports injuries as common mechanisms of orbital fractures. Orbital fractures can occur by themselves or together with other facial fractures, including fractures of the cheekbone, nose, jaw, or other portions of the midface.

How Common Are Orbital and Facial Fractures?

Facial fractures are a significant source of emergency medical treatment in the United States. A 2026 nationwide study using emergency-department data found 965,750 facial-fracture-related emergency department visits during 2021 and 2022. The orbit was one of the most frequently involved facial fracture locations after the nasal bones. The study found that 66.5% of patients were routinely discharged from the emergency department, while 23.3% were admitted to the hospital.

Earlier nationwide research illustrates how significant the problem can be. A study of 2007 emergency department data identified approximately 407,167 facial-fracture-related emergency department visits in the United States. Motor vehicle accidents accounted for 12.1% of those facial-fracture visits.

More recent research involving the National Trauma Data Bank identified 148,592 orbital floor fractures from 2008 through 2016. Approximately 95.9% were classified as closed fractures, while 4.1% were open fractures. The study also found that 71.5% of patients were male and the median patient age was 41.

Orbital fractures are also an important component of automobile-related eye trauma. A study of motor-vehicle-associated ocular trauma using National Trauma Data Bank information identified 49,660 cases of ocular trauma between 2007 and 2014. Orbital floor fractures were the most common ocular injury in that study, occurring in 17,647 cases, or 35.5% of the motor-vehicle-associated ocular trauma cases. These statistics demonstrate why an orbital fracture should never be dismissed as merely a black eye or facial bruise.

How Do Car Accidents Cause Orbital Fractures?

Motor vehicle collisions are a significant cause of facial and orbital trauma. During a crash, a person’s face may strike the steering wheel, dashboard, airbag, windshield, side window, door frame, headrest, or another object inside the vehicle.

The mechanism of injury can vary considerably. For example, a driver involved in a frontal collision may strike the steering wheel or airbag. A person involved in a side-impact collision may hit the side window or door. A passenger may strike the dashboard or another portion of the vehicle interior.

Even when an occupant does not directly strike their face against the vehicle, the rapid acceleration and deceleration associated with a collision can cause substantial trauma to the head and facial structures.

Orbital fractures may also occur in crashes involving motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, and commercial trucks. The greater the energy involved in the collision, the greater the potential for multiple facial and head injuries.

Orbital Fractures From Truck Accidents

Truck collisions can produce particularly severe facial injuries because commercial trucks are substantially larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. A passenger vehicle struck by a tractor-trailer may experience significant deformation. Occupants can be exposed to extreme forces during the collision, potentially resulting in multiple fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and facial trauma.

Truck accident cases can also involve complicated liability questions. Potentially responsible parties may include:

• The truck driver;
• The trucking company;
• A vehicle owner;
• A maintenance company;
• A cargo-loading company;
• A manufacturer; or
• Other parties involved in the commercial transportation operation.

When an orbital fracture occurs in a truck accident, investigating the crash promptly can be critical to determining how the collision occurred and who may be legally responsible.

Orbital Fractures From Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists have significantly less physical protection than people inside enclosed passenger vehicles. Even when a motorcycle rider wears a helmet, facial trauma can occur depending on the type of helmet, impact location, crash dynamics, and whether the rider’s face strikes another object. A motorcycle rider may suffer an orbital fracture after:

• Being struck by another vehicle;
• Being thrown over the handlebars;
• Striking the pavement;
• Striking a vehicle;
• Being struck by roadway debris; or
• Colliding with a fixed object.

Motorcycle crashes can produce combinations of facial fractures, traumatic brain injuries, road rash, broken bones, and spinal injuries.

Orbital Fractures From Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians involved in vehicle collisions can suffer devastating facial injuries. A pedestrian may be struck directly by the front of a vehicle, thrown onto the hood or windshield, or subsequently strike the roadway. Facial fractures can occur along with:

• Traumatic brain injuries;
• Neck injuries;
• Spinal cord injuries;
• Broken legs;
• Pelvic fractures;
• Internal injuries; and
• Other catastrophic trauma.

Because pedestrians have no vehicle structure protecting them, collisions with automobiles can produce injuries throughout the body.

Symptoms of an Orbital Fracture

The symptoms of an orbital fracture depend on the location and severity of the fracture and whether nearby structures have been damaged. Common symptoms can include:

• Swelling around the eye;
• Bruising or discoloration;
• Pain around the eye;
• Double vision;
• Blurred vision;
• Difficulty moving the eye;
• Numbness around the cheek or upper lip;
• Flattening or changes in the appearance of the cheek;
• A sunken appearance of the eye;
• Nosebleeds;
• Facial tenderness; and
• Difficulty opening the eye.

Some patients may initially focus on other injuries after a serious accident and not realize that they have sustained an orbital fracture. That is one reason a comprehensive medical evaluation can be important after significant facial trauma.

Can an Orbital Fracture Cause Vision Problems?

Yes. Orbital fractures can affect vision in several ways. The fracture itself may damage or displace structures around the eye. Bone fragments can affect the muscles responsible for moving the eye. Swelling or bleeding can increase pressure within the orbit. In severe cases, the optic nerve or blood supply to the eye can be compromised.

Medical literature notes that orbital fractures can produce complications involving the globe, extraocular muscles, nerves, and other structures. Possible problems include restricted eye movement, double vision, visual disturbances, and, in severe circumstances, orbital compartment syndrome. Vision problems following an accident should therefore be taken seriously.

Diagnosing an Orbital Fracture

A doctor may evaluate the face and eye and order imaging studies to determine whether an orbital fracture exists. A CT scan is commonly used to evaluate orbital fractures because it provides detailed images of the bones and can help identify fracture location, displacement, and involvement of surrounding structures.

Depending on the circumstances, treatment may involve an emergency physician, ophthalmologist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, plastic surgeon, neurosurgeon, or other specialists.

Medical records from the emergency department and follow-up specialists can become important evidence in a personal injury claim because they document the nature of the fracture and its effect on the patient’s vision and facial function.

Treatment for Orbital Fractures

Treatment depends on the location and severity of the fracture and whether complications are present. Some orbital fractures can be managed without surgery. Others require surgical repair. Treatment may include:

• Observation and follow-up;
• Pain medication;
• Treatment of swelling;
• Restrictions on certain activities;
• Ophthalmologic monitoring;
• Management of double vision;
• Surgical reconstruction;
• Repair of displaced orbital bones; and
• Treatment of associated facial or head injuries.

Surgery may be considered when there is significant displacement, persistent double vision, muscle entrapment, substantial changes in the position of the eye, or other complications. The appropriate treatment is a medical decision that should be made by qualified physicians based on the patient’s specific injury.

Long-Term Complications of Orbital Fractures

An orbital fracture can have consequences long after the initial accident. Potential long-term problems include:

• Persistent double vision;
• Limited eye movement;
• Chronic facial pain;
• Numbness;
• Changes in facial appearance;
• A sunken eye;
• Scarring;
• Vision impairment;
• Headaches;
• Difficulty reading or working;
• Difficulty driving;
• Psychological distress; and
• Permanent disability.

The long-term consequences can be particularly serious for people whose occupations depend on vision, precision, driving, physical coordination, or facial appearance. For example, an injured person who develops persistent double vision may be unable to safely operate machinery or drive. Someone with permanent facial disfigurement may experience emotional distress and reduced confidence in addition to the physical consequences of the injury.

Orbital Fractures and Traumatic Brain Injuries

An orbital fracture can occur at the same time as a traumatic brain injury.nBecause the orbit is part of the skull and is located immediately adjacent to the brain and other critical structures, significant facial trauma warrants careful evaluation.

A person involved in a serious collision may suffer both an orbital fracture and a concussion or more severe traumatic brain injury. Symptoms that can accompany a traumatic brain injury include:

• Headaches;
• Dizziness;
• Confusion;
• Memory problems;
• Difficulty concentrating;
• Nausea;
• Sensitivity to light;
• Fatigue; and
• Changes in mood or behavior.

When multiple injuries occur, the medical and legal evaluation becomes more complicated. It may be necessary to determine which symptoms are attributable to which injuries and whether the victim will require future treatment.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered for an Orbital Fracture?

An injured person may be entitled to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages, depending on the facts of the case. Potential damages can include:

• Emergency medical expenses;
• Hospitalization;
• Surgery;
• Diagnostic imaging;
• Specialist treatment;
• Prescription medications;
• Physical therapy;
• Future medical care;
• Lost wages;
• Reduced earning capacity;
• Transportation expenses;
• Physical pain and suffering;
• Emotional distress;
• Disability;
• Disfigurement; and
• Loss of normal life.

An orbital fracture can be particularly significant from a damages perspective when it causes permanent vision problems, facial disfigurement, or restrictions on a person’s ability to work. Illinois law recognizes non-economic damages as including losses such as pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, loss of consortium, and loss of society.

How Evidence Can Help Prove an Orbital Fracture Claim

Insurance companies may question whether an accident caused an injury, particularly when the injury involves symptoms that develop after the crash. Important evidence can include:

• Emergency-room records;
• CT scans and imaging;
• Ophthalmology records;
• Surgical records;
• Photographs of facial injuries;
• Accident reports;
• Vehicle damage photographs;
• Dashcam footage;
• Surveillance video;
• Witness statements;
• Employment records;
• Medical bills;
• Expert testimony; and
• Documentation of permanent vision or facial problems.

Photographs can be particularly important when an orbital fracture produces visible bruising, swelling, scarring, or changes in facial appearance. Medical imaging can also provide objective evidence of the fracture.

What If the Orbital Fracture Was Not Diagnosed Immediately?

A delayed diagnosis does not necessarily mean that an injury was not caused by an accident. People involved in serious collisions often have multiple injuries. Emergency physicians may prioritize life-threatening conditions, and symptoms involving the eye or face may evolve over time.

If symptoms develop after an accident, medical evaluation is important. The medical record should accurately document when symptoms began and what the patient reports about the accident. A lawyer can then evaluate the medical evidence and determine whether the available evidence supports a causal connection between the accident and the orbital fracture.

Frequently Asked Questions About Orbital Fractures

Can a car accident cause an orbital fracture?

Yes. Motor vehicle collisions are a recognized mechanism of orbital and facial fractures. A person’s face can strike the steering wheel, dashboard, airbag, windshield, side window, or other vehicle components during a collision.

Is an orbital fracture a serious injury?

It can be. Some orbital fractures heal without surgery, but others can cause double vision, restricted eye movement, facial numbness, changes in appearance, vision problems, or other permanent complications.

Can an orbital fracture cause permanent vision loss?

In severe cases, orbital trauma can affect structures necessary for vision and may cause serious visual impairment. Any change in vision following significant facial trauma should receive prompt medical attention.

Do orbital fractures always require surgery?

No. Treatment depends on the location and severity of the fracture and whether complications such as muscle entrapment, persistent double vision, significant displacement, or changes in eye position are present.

Can I sue if someone else caused my orbital fracture?

Potentially. If another person’s negligence caused the accident and your injury, you may have a personal injury claim. The specific circumstances must be evaluated to determine liability and damages.

What if my orbital fracture caused facial disfigurement?

Facial disfigurement can be an important component of a personal injury claim. Illinois law recognizes disfigurement as a form of non-economic loss.

What if I have double vision after an accident?

Double vision can be a symptom of orbital trauma and should be evaluated by a medical professional. It may result from injury or entrapment involving the muscles responsible for eye movement or other orbital structures.

What if the insurance company says my orbital fracture was pre-existing?

The existence of a prior condition does not automatically eliminate a personal injury claim. Medical evidence may be necessary to determine whether the accident caused a new injury or aggravated an existing condition.

How long do I have to file an orbital fracture lawsuit in Illinois?

Illinois generally provides two years for personal injury actions, but exceptions may apply. The specific deadline should be evaluated based on the circumstances of the case.

Contact the Top-Rated Illinois Personal Injury Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates After an Orbital Fracture

An orbital fracture can affect far more than the appearance of your face. A serious injury can interfere with your vision, ability to work, ability to drive, physical comfort, and quality of life. When an orbital fracture results from a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle crash, pedestrian accident, fall, defective product, or another person’s negligence, determining the full extent of your damages is critical.

The Illinois injury attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates can investigate how your accident happened, work with your medical records and other evidence, deal with insurance companies, and pursue compensation for the injuries and losses you have suffered. Our firm understands that an orbital fracture may require more than emergency treatment, it may involve surgery, specialists, ongoing monitoring, vision problems, facial changes, and long-term consequences.

If you or a loved one suffered an orbital fracture because of someone else’s negligence, contact John J. Malm & Associates for a free consultation about your potential Illinois personal injury claim. Do not allow an insurance company to minimize an injury that could affect your vision, appearance, career, and quality of life for years to come. The sooner your case is investigated, the sooner important evidence can be preserved and your legal options evaluated.