Hearing Loss From a Car Accident

If you have been in a car accident and are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may have experienced some degree of hearing loss.

There are many different causes of hearing loss. Those who get older often notice their hearing deteriorating. Some people routinely exposed to very loud environments can also experience this symptom. A car accident can also lead to hearing loss.

Though hearing loss might be considered a gradual effect of aging or the environment, it can also happen instantly. If that occurred due to a car accident, you’re likely wondering if you are entitled to compensation for it.

Causes for Hearing Loss During Car Accidents

Several things can cause hearing loss after a car accident. However, two main elements in a car accident often 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 are 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. 

Other causes include the loud noise of the impact and the head being violently shaken during the accident. This can damage the eardrum and other parts of the ear, causing hearing loss.

How Do I Know if I Experienced Hearing Loss After a Car Accident?

If you have been in a car accident and are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may have experienced some degree of hearing loss:

• You have ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
• You can’t hear as well as you used to
• You hear a humming or buzzing sound
• You feel like your ear is plugged up

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms, it is vital to seek medical attention.

Proving Hearing Loss After a Car Accident

You’ll generally need to provide evidence from a medical professional to prove that your hearing loss was caused by the accident. This evidence may include a report confirming that your hearing loss results from the accident.

You may also provide evidence from witnesses who saw the accident. This can help to prove that the hearing loss was not caused by any other factor, such as age or exposure to loud noise.

Are You Entitled to Compensation?

Often after a car accident that leads to hearing loss, the insurance company may downplay the severity of the injury and try to offer a low settlement. They may also blame the hearing loss on other factors, such as age or exposure to loud noise over an extended period.

An experienced car accident attorney can help fight for the compensation you are legally entitled to cover your medical expenses and lost wages. To understand how much compensation you are entitled to in your car accident claim, your car accident attorney can analyze your case and determine how much the accident and injury have 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 towards your medical treatment.)

There is also the question if your hearing loss is temporary/or permanent. The settlement is generally high for permanent conditions, which often require more treatment or medical interventions. 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 Accident Attorney

There may be more things to consider when negotiating your final settlement, depending on other factors of your case. For a better idea of how much you are entitled to, speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney at The Hoffmann Law Firm. We have over 20 years of experience and a proven track record of success in helping injured car accident victims get the compensation they are entitled to after an accident.