Can I Claim for Dental Work If My Teeth Were Damaged in a Crash?

The impact of a car accident can be jarring and violent. An airbag can explode into your face, or your jaw can strike the steering wheel or dashboard with incredible force. In the aftermath, amidst the other potential injuries, you might discover a painful and distressing reality: one or more of your teeth are chipped, cracked, loosened, or even knocked out.

Dental injuries are surprisingly common in car accidents, and the cost of repairing them can be astronomical. A single dental implant can cost thousands of dollars, and complex restorative work can quickly run into the tens of thousands. This leads to a crucial question: Is this considered a medical expense covered by the car accident claim?

The answer is a definitive YES. Damage to your teeth is a type of bodily injury, just like a broken arm or a whiplash injury. You are absolutely entitled to claim compensation for all necessary dental work as part of your personal injury settlement.

Useful Information for You: In a Nutshell

• Yes, Dental Work is Covered: The cost to repair teeth damaged in a car accident is a compensable medical expense.
• It’s Considered a “Bodily Injury”: For insurance purposes, a dental injury is treated like any other physical injury to your body.
• PIP Pays First: Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) auto insurance is the primary payer for your immediate dental treatment, regardless of who was at fault.
• The At-Fault Insurer is Ultimately Responsible: The at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible for the full cost of your dental treatment, including future needs, as part of your final settlement.
• Documentation is Essential: You will need a detailed report from your dentist that clearly links your dental injuries to the trauma of the car accident.

Common Dental Injuries from Car Accidents

The forces involved in a collision can cause a wide range of orofacial trauma. Common dental injuries include:

• Fractured or Chipped Teeth: The most common type of dental damage.
• Avulsed Tooth: When a tooth is completely knocked out of its socket.
• Jaw Injuries: A fractured or dislocated jaw (TMJ disorders can also be caused or aggravated by an accident).
• Damage to Dental Restorations: Existing crowns, bridges, or veneers can be broken.
• Root and Nerve Damage: An impact can damage the root or nerve of a tooth, which may not be apparent for weeks and could later require a root canal.

How is Dental Work Paid For?

The payment process for dental injuries follows the same hierarchy as other medical bills in Washington State.

1. Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Pays First:

Your own auto insurance policy’s PIP coverage will pay for your initial, emergency dental work. When you visit the dentist for your accident-related injury, provide them with your auto insurance and PIP claim number. They will bill your PIP coverage directly for all “reasonable and necessary” treatment up to your policy limit.

2. The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Pays in the Final Settlement:

The at-fault driver’s liability insurance is ultimately responsible for 100% of your dental costs. The total cost of your past and future dental work will be a major component of your economic damages in your final settlement. For example, if your dentist determines you will need a dental implant replaced every 15 years for the rest of your life, the projected lifetime cost of that care must be included in your settlement demand.

Proving Your Dental Claim: The Key Evidence

Because dental work is so expensive, insurance companies will scrutinize these claims very carefully. To build a strong case, you will need:

• An Immediate Dental Examination: See a dentist as soon as possible after the accident, even for a minor chip. This creates a clear medical record linking the damage to the crash.
• A Detailed Report from Your Dentist: Your dentist must provide a report that:
  • Details the specific injuries to your teeth and jaw.
  • States that, in their professional opinion, these injuries were caused by the trauma of the car accident.
  • Outlines a comprehensive treatment plan, including the projected costs of all future work (like implant replacements).
• Your Pre-Accident Dental Records: The insurer will want to see your dental records from before the accident to verify that the damage was not a pre-existing condition.

Dental injuries are serious and can lead to a lifetime of ongoing treatment. You have the right to be compensated for every dollar of that care. If your teeth were damaged in a car accident in the Tacoma area, search the Car Accident Lawyer Directory Tacoma. Compare profiles and read reviews of trusted local attorneys who can help you document your claim and fight for the full compensation you need to restore your smile.

References

• Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) – Personal Injury Protection (PIP):Official guidance explaining that PIP covers “reasonable and necessary” medical expenses, which includes necessary dental work resulting from an accident.

  https://www.insurance.wa.gov/personal-injury-protection-pip-and-how-it-works-your-auto-insurance-policy

• American Dental Association (ADA) – “Traumatic Dental Injuries”:An authoritative resource from the ADA providing information on the types and treatments of dental injuries caused by trauma.

  Traumatic Dental Injuries

• Washington Pattern Jury Instructions (WPI 30.01.01) – Measure of… Economic Damages:The official instruction for juries, which lists “medical, hospital, [and] dental” expenses as a primary category of recoverable economic damages.

  https://www.courts.wa.gov/superiori/pattern_jury_instructions/WPI%2030.01.01%20Measure%20of%20Economic%20and%20Noneconomic%20Damages%20-%20Personal%20Injury%20-%20Adult.pdf