Though hearing loss might be considered a gradual effect of aging or the environment, it can also happen in an instant.
There are many different causes of hearing loss. Those who get older often notice their hearing deteriorating. Some people who are routinely exposed to very loud environments can also experience this symptom. A car crash can also lead to hearing loss.
Though hearing loss might be considered a gradual effect of aging or the environment, it can also happen in an instant. If that happened to you, you’re probably wondering if you can be compensated for it.
Causes for Hearing Loss During Car Accidents
There are two main elements in an auto crash that can, unfortunately, lead to hearing loss:
- Airbag deployment – though very rare, there have been reports of people losing their hearing because the airbag went off during a car accident. This generally happens because the airbag creates a high sound pressure when it is activated and, in some cases, can be so great that it damages the person’s hearing;
- Head injuries – this is the more common scenario where an auto accident can damage your hearing. Though hitting your head doesn’t automatically indicate a possibility of hearing loss, if the middle ear bones are damaged, or if you sustain bleeds in the inner ear, temporal bone fractures, or puncture your eardrums, it is possible for your hearing to be affected.
Are You Entitled to Compensation?
To understand how much compensation you are entitled in your car accident claim, you and your St. Louis car accident attorney first have to analyze the case and see how much the accident and your injury has impacted your life.
Generally speaking, the settlement in a car accident claim must account for:
- Medical treatment needed after the accident, including immediate care (ambulance rides, emergency room care, etc.) and subsequent doctor’s visits and treatment;
- Cost of repairs in the case of property damage (for instance, if your vehicle was damaged during the accident);
- Partial lost wages if you need to miss work to get treated;
- Any other financial burden the accident caused you (such as missing a mortgage payment because of the accident, as your money went into your medical treatment.)
There is also the question if your hearing loss is temporary/or permanent. For permanent conditions, which can often require more treatment or medical interventions, the settlement is generally higher. Missouri state recognizes that if the accident was not your fault, then you generally should not have to bear the costs of treatment.
St. Louis Car Crash Attorney
There may be more things to consider when negotiating your final settlement, depending on other factors of your case. For a better estimation of how much you are entitled to get, please reach out to a St. Louis car accident attorney and discuss your case with them. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you get the full amount of compensation you are legally entitled to. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE Case Evaluation.