Facial injuries in automobile crashes.

In automobile accidents, the facial area is the most frequently injured body region in passenger car occupants. Laboratory studies have indicated that the tolerance of facial bones to impact is relatively low. Most of these facial injuries are rated as minor. The windshield, steering wheel, and instrument panel are the major points of contact. Restraints, lap belts, and lap-shoulder belts reduce the frequency of facial injuries at all levels of severity and also reduce the more severe and serious injuries to other body regions.