Car accidents are well-known for causing numerous injuries both physical and mental. For example, the traumatic force of a crash might result in cardiac issues, broken bones, and neck and back pain. However, less commonly thought of but equally important in the event of a collision is the effect on one’s hearing. The most frequently reported hearing loss caused by an accident is tinnitus, a disorder that haunts crash victims with persistent, irritating sounds only they can hear.
Causes of Tinnitus
According to the National Institute of Health, around 25 million Americans will suffer from temporary tinnitus each year. It’s a condition with a broad range of causes. Tinnitus can be brought on by illnesses or old age, but it also frequently results from exposure to loud noises, such as those made in an accident.
Accident-Related Hearing Loss
Even cars with the latest safety features can’t prevent every injury. In fact, features like airbags can have unintended consequences on a person’s health in the event of a crash. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, airbags have saved over 50,000 lives since 1987. However, airbags can harm the driver or front seat passenger due to pressure fluctuations in the vehicle’s interior and the sound that results from airbag deployment. An accident victim may avoid cataclysmic head injuries, but the rapid inflation of the bag produces a dangerously loud sound. According to the CDC, noise levels over 140 dB can result in severe, permanent hearing loss. Depending on the vehicle, an airbag’s level of noise can vary, but the airbags in some cars produce sounds as loud as 178 dB.
Symptoms of Tinnitus
If you are familiar with the symptoms of tinnitus you can usually diagnose this injury on your own. Even though tinnitus is typically associated with a ringing sound, many people who have hearing loss also experience other sounds. These include:
- Buzzing
- Hissing
- Humming
- Clicking
- Roaring
- Whistling
Treatment for Tinnitus
Since there is no known treatment for this ailment, those who experience it must typically learn to live with the noise. The emphasis shifts to sound masking because, regrettably, this injury may endure a lifetime. Sufferers of tinnitus are advised to employ white noise machines to distract the mind.
Personal Injury Recovery
A victim of an accident may file a claim for several sorts of compensatory damages (financial recompense for your losses).
- Medical Expenses:
The expense of immediate treatment will be covered by medical damages.
In some circumstances, a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer might seek future costs for ongoing and lifelong medical care.
- Lost Wages: Accident victims who require time off from work to fully heal from their wounds may file a claim for lost wages. You may also be compensated for the loss of future income resulting from your injuries in the most severe situations, such as long-term disability or being forced to completely change jobs.
- Punitive damages are a type of compensation given to the injured party and calculated only to punish the offender. Since the victim must establish the offender’s intention or deliberate misbehavior, these damages are uncommon.
Representation for Accident-Induced Tinnitus
Following a collision, thinking about navigating the legal system should be your last concern. The only way to maximize your settlement is to hire an experienced personal injury attorney who will fight for you. Britton Law offers free personal injury consultations and generally takes cases on a contingency basis. This means you don’t pay unless we win. You should collect any papers, such as bills, medical records, or other supporting evidence, before meeting with a lawyer.
If we can be of assistance, your lawyer will walk you through the claims filing, settlement, and, in some circumstances, trial processes. You can get in touch with Shawn Howard, our lead personal injury lawyer, by calling our office at (910) 401-3356 or sending an email through our contact page.