Ear Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

May 3, 2022 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman
Ear Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Car Accidents Can Inflict Ear Injuries and Hearing Damage

Car accidents can lead to injuries that can affect the victim's day-to-day life, but an ear injury is one of the most damaging injuries that can lead to issues with daily function. A direct blow to the ear during a car accident can lead to a part of the ear fracturing, leading to constant discomfort and hearing loss.  Without your hearing, returning to work can be extremely difficult. You will likely have to take time away from work to receive treatment to repair your hearing. You will be missing out on paychecks that can help pay for damages associated with your car accident.  A lawyer can assist you in filing a car accident claim against the at-fault party's insurance company to help recover damages from a car accident. You can receive compensation for your severe car accident injuries from a successful car accident claim to get back on your feet and hold the negligent parties accountable for their actions.

Suffering an Ear Injury in a Car Accident

An ear injury can occur to one of the three parts of the ear: the inner ear, middle ear, or external ear. Trauma to the ear canal, the passageway from the exterior ear to the middle ear, affects how easily sounds can reach the brain.  Blunt force or penetrating trauma are the two primary forms of physical damage a car accident can inflict to cause an ear injury. This trauma can include a direct blow from another car, crushing impact from a heavy object, debris flying in the ear, or the ear slamming into the dashboard, steering wheel, or windshield. An explosion from an airbag can also lead to an ear injury. An ear injury can be caused by a side airbag directly impacting the ear or the loud sound that emanates from an airbag impacting the inner structures of the ear.

Hearing Loss and Other Symptoms of an Ear Injury

Most severe ear injuries put the victim at risk of suffering hearing loss. Damage to the cells of the ear or head trauma that affects the connection between the brain and ear can lead to hearing loss. The following are some of the other symptoms of an ear injury:
  • Ear pain
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Itching or burning in the ear
  • Bleeding from the ear
  • Ringing noises in the ear

Car Accidents Can Cause Tinnitus

Tinnitus is when a person can hear phantom noises inside their ear, such as ringing, buzzing, clicking, and hissing. You can suffer tinnitus from a car accident with a direct blow to the ear. The trauma from a car accident can cause blockage in the ear canal and lead to phantom noises. Tinnitus can be an indication that you suffered a traumatic brain injury. Whiplash from a car accident can affect the brain functions that link to hearing and lead to noises in the ear. Tinnitus can also be an early symptom of hearing loss.

Avulsion Fracture Caused by a Car Accident

An avulsion fracture is when a small piece of bone breaks off from the central part of the bone. This means a piece of the ear can tear off due to the trauma from a car accident. A heavy object could crush a piece of the ear and tear it off. In most cases, an avulsion fracture of the ear will require ear reconstruction surgery.

Severe Impact from a Car Accident Can Cause a Ruptured Eardrum

A ruptured eardrum is when the tissue between the ear canal and eardrum tears due to trauma. This ear injury can result in nausea, vertigo, and hearing loss. A car accident can cause a ruptured eardrum if a direct blow causes damage to the middle and inner ear structures. Debris from a car accident can also lodge in the eardrum and cause a ruptured eardrum. A ruptured eardrum ordinarily heals itself over a couple of weeks.

Recovering Damages by Filing a Car Accident Claim

Florida drivers must purchase personal injury protection because the state operates under no-fault laws. PIP insurance covers 80% of the economic damages associated with a car accident. If you suffered an ear injury from a car accident, your medical costs might exceed the $10,000 limit of PIP insurance. In this case, you could file a car accident claim to help pay for the damages from your car accident. Hiring a car accident lawyer is a vital part of the claim process, as they can handle the complexities of the personal injury field and claim's process. They can help negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party's insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation requisite to the damages you sustained. They can also send out the demand letter, collect evidence, interview witnesses, communicate with the insurance adjuster, and represent you in court. A car accident lawyer can help you even the playing field with the insurance company to help you get the compensation you need to cover your car accident related damages. With their help, you can collect damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning potential, disability costs, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Proving Liability in a Car Accident Claim

In most cases, the other driver responsible for causing the accident can be held liable for the damages they caused by driving recklessly. Your lawyer needs to collect proof that indicates the at-fault driver behaved recklessly behind the wheel for you to recover damages from their insurance company. The following are some of the pieces of evidence your lawyer can present to prove the liability of the at-fault driver:

Contact Dolman Law Group for Help With Your Car Accident Claim

An ear injury may require surgery to repair the damage to the victim's hearing. The cost of medical treatment like this can be expensive, which is why you should consider filing a car accident claim to help pay for your medical bills. A car accident lawyer can assist you in filing the claim while you work to recover from your ear injury. At Dolman Law Group, our experienced car accident lawyers will stick by you through the recovery process and listen to your concerns in order to better handle your car accident claim. We will structure a plan around your treatment to ensure you receive fair compensation for your car accident ear injury. Get in touch with Dolman Law Group today for a free consultation. Call 833-55-CRASH or leave us a message on our online contact page.

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

Learn More