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Tinnitus caused by a car accident requires immediate medical attention. The ringing you hear in your ears could be a sign of something more serious, such as a traumatic brain injury or noise trauma. This uncomfortable and debilitating injury can cause a lifetime of pain and suffering for car accident victims. Even worse, many insurance adjusters try to reduce these claims in an effort to pay you as little as possible. For this reason, tinnitus sufferers need to have an experienced Colorado Springs car accident attorney in their corner from the very beginning.
What is Car Accident Related Tinnitus?
A car accident is traumatic. The physical trauma from the accident is often accompanied by noise trauma which can damage the delicate structures in the ear. Injured accident victims may hear ringing or buzzing sounds in their ears. They may even lose their hearing altogether.
Tinnitus is not always the result of damage to the ear. In fact, many other types of car accident injuries can cause tinnitus, including traumatic brain injuries, neck injuries, and TMJ injuries.
Symptoms of Tinnitus
If you experience any of these hearing symptoms after a serious Colorado Springs car accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Do not delay, these symptoms could be a sign of something more serious and life-threatening:
- Buzzing
- Roaring
- Clicking
- Hissing
- Humming
7 Steps to Take if You’re Experiencing Tinnitus After a Motor Vehicle Accident
If you suffer tinnitus after a car accident, it is important to take the following steps:
- Stay calm
- Seek medical treatment
- Get a referral to an otolaryngologist, otologist or neurologist
- Collect documentation of your accident and medical treatment
- Keep all receipts and bills
- Keep a symptom and health journal to document your recovery process
- Contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately
Can I File a Lawsuit for Tinnitus After a Car Accident?
Colorado is an at-fault state. That means that the driver who caused the accident is also responsible for the damages and injuries they caused. To collect compensation, you must file a claim with the “at-fault” driver’s insurance policy. If you are unable to reach a settlement with the insurance company or if you disagree over liability, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to collect the money you deserve.
In Colorado, however, you must act quickly. Accident victims only have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a claim. This is known as a statute of limitations and if you miss this deadline, you cannot file a claim in the future.