Tinnitus after a car accident can be related to a physical injury or in response to the loud noises of the crash, causing victims to experience ringing in the ears, pulsating, or buzzing sounds called phantom noises. It can be a persistent, constant presence requiring immediate medical attention to rule out a more serious injury.
If you suffer from persistent tinnitus after a car crash in Georgia, you could be entitled to compensation from the responsible party. An experienced personal injury attorney from Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. can explain your legal options in a free consultation.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a condition causing noises or ringing in one or both ears. It is not due to an external sound, and others cannot hear it. Many older adults experience tinnitus, but an injury to the ear or brain can also cause it. Fortunately, it can improve with treatment of the underlying cause or other treatments to reduce or mask the noise.
Signs of tinnitus can also include hearing ringing, buzzing, or roaring noises. If you experience any of these symptoms after a car crash, see an audiologist for a hearing test as soon as possible.
What Factors Cause Tinnitus After a Car Accident?
Physical trauma from a car accident can cause tinnitus and affect your hearing ability. Several accident-related factors that could cause tinnitus include:
- The noise from the impact
- Loud sounds inside the vehicle, such as the airbag deploying
- Physical contact with an object in the car
Tinnitus can also be a secondary injury to a more severe injury. For example, you may experience tinnitus due to a neck injury, jaw damage, or a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Are There Treatments for Tinnitus?
Yes, medical treatment is available for tinnitus. To determine the best plan for you, your doctor will evaluate your symptoms, conduct a physical exam (including an examination of your ears, nose, and cranial nerve function), and order a hearing test to assess your hearing ability in both ears. Sometimes, MRIs and CT scans assist doctors in diagnosing tinnitus.
While there is no cure for tinnitus, you can reduce symptoms. Some treatment options include the following:
- Sound therapy devices – Sound therapy devices that may be helpful to you include hearing aids, sound generators, or tinnitus instruments, such as a white noise machine. Sound therapy may mask the tinnitus you are experiencing, allowing your auditory system to adapt.
- Medication – Your doctor may prescribe Xanax, Zoloft, Pamelor, or melatonin to help treat your tinnitus symptoms.
- Behavioral therapies – Tinnitus retraining therapy combines sound therapy with counseling or cognitive training therapy.
- Dental treatment – Working with a dentist may help relieve tinnitus symptoms since the jaw nerves and muscles are closely connected to those in the ear.
Does Tinnitus From a Car Accident Go Away?
Tinnitus from a car accident can dissipate over time. However, it can also become chronic or permanent. The duration of the condition typically depends on the severity of the injury.
If the tinnitus lasts less than three months, it is considered an acute condition. If symptoms persist after that time, tinnitus is considered chronic. Tinnitus is considered permanent if it lasts longer than three months, up to a year, or is due to head trauma.
Is It Possible to Recover Compensation for Crash-Related Tinnitus?
Accident victims can seek compensation for tinnitus after an auto accident in Georgia. An experienced car accident attorney at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. can review your case and explain the types of compensation possible in your case.
Most car accident cases conclude with a settlement with the at-fault party’s auto insurance company. However, if the insurer is unwilling to settle for the money you deserve for your losses, your attorney can demand full and fair compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
The severity of your tinnitus and how it has impacted your life will dictate what losses you can pursue money for, but may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Therapy costs
- Medication expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
How Do You Prove the Wreck Caused Your Tinnitus?
To bring a successful personal injury claim related to your tinnitus, you must have evidence that the car accident caused it. Proof can come in many forms, such as:
- Medical records linking your tinnitus to the car accident
- The police accident report
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony
Keeping a daily journal in which you note your symptoms may also be useful in your case.
Though pursuing a car accident claim for tinnitus may feel overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. At Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., we can take over every aspect of the claims process for you.
Contact a Douglasville Car Accident Lawyer
With over 85 years of combined legal experience, the car accident attorneys at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. have a long history of representing injured people in Georgia. When you are our client, we treat you like family. We have obtained multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements in car accident cases, including:
- $5.25 million for a client who sustained a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a drunk driver
- $1.68 million for a grandmother and grandfather permanently disabled after a collision with a distracted teen driver
- $900,000 for a mother and daughter injured in a T-bone accident caused by a negligent delivery driver
Ready to get started? Call or contact us today for a free consultation.
