Have you suffered tinnitus after a car accident? If you’re experiencing ringing, buzzing or pulsating sounds in one or both ears following a road traffic collision, you may be eligible to claim compensation. This comprehensive guide explores how tinnitus can result from head trauma, whiplash injuries, loud noises or sudden acceleration associated with car crashes. We also explain how to seek compensation if you’ve suffered tinnitus after a car accident and how our panel of solicitors can assist you.
We understand how debilitating constant ringing or ‘phantom’ sounds can be. Tinnitus not only affects your hearing but can also impact your sleep, mental health, work life and overall well-being. Whether you were a driver, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian, if another road user breached their duty of care and caused your injury, you could be entitled to make a personal injury claim.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What causes tinnitus after a car accident
- Whether you’re eligible to claim
- The types of tinnitus compensation you could receive
- What else a tinnitus claim can cover
- How to begin your claim today
Our experienced team offers a free consultation. Start your recovery with support from us. Contact our advisors today. They’re on hand 24/7:
- Call 0333 0000729.
- Fill out our ‘Contact Us‘ form.
- Message in our on-screen live chat box.
Jump To A Section
- I’m Suffering From Tinnitus After A Car Accident, Can I Claim Compensation?
- The Average Payout For Car Accident Led Tinnitus
- How Can Tinnitus Be Caused By A Car Accident?
- What Impacts Can Tinnitus Have?
- How Can I Make A Car Accident Tinnitus Claim?
- Free Tinnitus Claim Advice From Legal Helpline
- Learn More
I’m Suffering From Tinnitus After A Car Accident, Can I Claim Compensation?
Yes, if you’ve suffered tinnitus after a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be eligible to claim compensation. To do so, your case must meet the criteria for a personal injury claim:
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Another party owed you a duty of care.
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That duty was breached through negligent or dangerous behaviour.
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You suffered tinnitus or other injuries as a direct result of that breach.
All road users owe one another a duty of care. This duty means they must take reasonable steps to prevent harm to others while using the road. The rules governing this duty are set out in The Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act 1988.
To comply with their duty of care, road users must (as just some examples):
- Follow speed limits appropriate for road and weather conditions
- Maintain a safe distance between vehicles
- Avoid distractions, such as mobile phones
- Adhere to traffic signals and road markings
- Use indicators when turning or changing lanes
- Give way at pedestrian crossings
- Take extra care around vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and children
A breach of this duty, such as driving under the influence, failing to stop at a red light, or not checking mirrors, can cause road traffic accidents resulting in injuries like tinnitus, head trauma, whiplash, and more.
Take control of your recovery. Speak to a friendly advisor today to find out if you could be owed compensation for tinnitus caused by a car accident. We’ll assess your case for free and explain your next steps clearly and simply.
The Average Payout For Car Accident Led Tinnitus
The average payout for severe car accident led tinnitus ranges from £36,260 to £55,570.
The value of a tinnitus car accident settlement depends on various factors, such as severity, permanence, impact on daily life, and associated financial losses. Below is a table based on the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG).
The JCG is a publication used by legal professionals to help assess the value of general damages in personal injury claims. These guidelines provide bracketed compensation amounts based on the type and severity of an injury.
General damages refer to compensation awarded for the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by the injury itself, such as the physical discomfort and emotional distress of living with tinnitus. Loss of amenity refers to the negative impact an injury has on your ability to enjoy everyday activities, hobbies, or aspects of life you previously took part in.
Please only use the table below as a rough guideline, as none of these figures can be guaranteed for any car accident claim. Please also keep in mind that the top figure is not from the JCG, and the bottom two figures are from the tariffs laid out in the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021.
| Injury type | Injury severity | Guideline compensation figures | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries along with special damages | Serious | Up to £500,000 | Compensation that covers more than one serious injury with associated monetary losses, such as medical bills. |
| Brain damage | Moderate (c)(i) | £183,190 to £267,340 | Where there is a moderate to severe personality change and effect on senses (sight and speech), causing a high risk of epilepsy. |
| Moderate (c)(ii) | £110,720 to £183,190 | Where there is a moderate to modest intellectual deficit and some risk of epilepsy. | |
| Injuries affecting senses - deafness/tinnitus | Total deafness (b) | £110,750 to £133,810 | The top end of this bracket is appropriate for cases where tinnitus and speech deficit has also been suffered. |
| Total loss of hearing in one ear (c) | £38,210 to £55,570 | The top end of this bracket is appropriate for cases where tinnitus and dizziness has also been suffered. | |
| Partial hearing loss and/or tinnitus (d)(i) | £36,260 to £55,570 | Severe tinnitus and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). | |
| Partial hearing loss and/or tinnitus (d)(ii) | £18,180 to £36,260 | Moderate tinnitus and NIHL. | |
| Partial hearing loss and/or tinnitus (d)(iii) | £15,370 to £18,180 | Mild tinnitus with some NIHL. | |
| Whiplash | Lasting between 18-24 months | £4,345 | Whiplash injuries plus psychological damage. |
| Lasting between 18-24 months | £4,215 | Whiplash injuries on their own. |
Note: These figures cover general damages only. Additional financial losses may also be compensated as special damages.
What Else Can Tinnitus Compensation Cover?
In addition to compensation for the physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by tinnitus after a car accident, your claim may also include special damages. These are awarded to cover the quantifiable, out-of-pocket financial losses you’ve incurred as a direct result of your injury.
Special damages aim to put you back in the financial position you were in before the incident occurred.
Examples of what special damages can cover include:
- Loss of earnings (including future loss if you cannot return to work)
- Medical expenses, such as private treatment or hearing aids
- Travel costs to medical appointments or rehabilitation sessions
- Care and assistance at home, even if provided by family members
- Therapy costs, such as sound therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy for associated mental health issues
- Damage to personal property, such as broken glasses or mobile phones during the collision
To support your claim for special damages, it’s essential to retain evidence such as receipts, invoices, payslips, medical records, and bank statements.
Don’t settle for uncertainty. Call us now for a personalised claim valuation and find out how much your tinnitus injury could be worth. Make sure you’re not missing out on the full value of your claim.
How Can Tinnitus Be Caused By A Car Accident?
Tinnitus can have multiple causes following a car accident, many of which involve trauma to the head, neck, or ear structures.
Common causes include:
- Whiplash injuries – Sudden acceleration/deceleration can affect blood flow or nerve pathways, triggering phantom sounds.
- Head trauma – Impact with a steering wheel or window can damage the inner ear or auditory nerve.
- Loud noises – Sudden loud sounds, such as airbag deployment, may rupture the thin membrane of the middle ear.
- Neck injuries – Cervical trauma can interfere with nerves connecting the brain and ear.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – A TBI can lead to neurological changes that cause tinnitus symptoms.
Regardless of the mechanism, seek immediate medical attention after any accident. Delayed diagnosis may affect both your health and your ability to claim.
If you’ve experienced tinnitus after a collision, you may have more than just a minor injury. Speak with us now to see if your symptoms are part of a larger, claimable injury and start your journey to financial justice today.
What Impacts Can Tinnitus Have?
Tinnitus symptoms can vary, but the consequences can be severe and long-lasting. The condition may affect just one ear, or both, and present as:
- Constant or intermittent ear ringing
- Pulsating sounds or buzzing
- Difficulty hearing external sounds
- Sleep disturbances
- Mental health issues such as anxiety or depression
- Problems concentrating or maintaining relationships
Tinnitus affects your quality of life, from daily routines to emotional well-being. Some injured persons even report chronic neck pain or fatigue from the stress of dealing with constant ringing.
Contact us and let us connect you with an expert from our panel who understands how tinnitus affects lives and how to claim compensation for it.
How Can I Make A Car Accident Tinnitus Claim?
To claim compensation for tinnitus after a car accident, you’ll need to follow a process that includes gathering evidence, establishing liability, and submitting your claim within the time frame. Here’s how to get started:
1. Collect Strong Evidence
Supporting evidence is essential for proving your personal injury claim. Useful documentation includes:
- Insurance and vehicle registration details from the liable driver
- Medical records confirming your diagnosis and symptoms
- Imaging tests or audiology reports
- Photographs and video footage of the accident scene or vehicle damage
- Witness contact details.
- Police reports (if the accident was reported)
- Proof of financial losses, such as receipts or payslips
The stronger your evidence, the greater your chances of achieving a fair settlement.
If you are connected with one of the solicitors from our panel, they will be able to help you gather all of your evidence.
2. Comply With the Time Limit
In most personal injury cases, you have 3 years from the date of the accident to start your claim. This is known as the limitation period, and it is enforced under the Limitation Act 1980.
However, there are exceptions:
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Children under 18: Minors cannot make their own claim. They can start a claim for themselves at the age of 18 and have until their 21st birthday.
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Lack of mental capacity: If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to make a claim, there is no time limit unless they regain capacity.
In both situations, a litigation friend, such as a parent, guardian, or trusted adult, can act on behalf of the injured party to pursue compensation while they are unable to make their own claim. A litigation friend is appointed to ensure the individual’s best interests are protected throughout the claims process.
Contact us to find out more about how to become a litigation friend.
3. Start the Claims Process
Contact us and tell us about your circumstances. Once liability has been established and evidence gathered, your case can proceed. If you are connected with a solicitor from our panel, they can then guide you step by step through the entire claims process.
Time limits apply, so don’t delay your right to claim. Call us today for tailored advice and step-by-step guidance from our team. We’ll help you take action while your evidence is fresh and your options are strongest.
Free Tinnitus Claim Advice From Legal Helpline
Here at Legal Helpline, our advisors will assess your personal injury claim for free. If they find that you have an eligible claim, they will connect you to a road traffic accident solicitor from our panel.
Our panel of solicitors can provide:
- A free consultation with no obligation
- An experienced car accident lawyer from our panel
- Tailored advice on how to seek compensation
- Support in gathering evidence and managing paperwork
- A dedicated case handler for consistent communication
- No Win No Fee representation through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA)
A CFA is a contract between you and your solicitor that allows you to pursue your case without paying upfront or ongoing solicitor fees. Instead, their fees are only payable if your claim is successful. If you win, a success fee will be deducted from your compensation. This success fee is a legally capped percentage and will be agreed upon before the claim begins, ensuring full transparency.
If your case is not successful, you won’t pay your solicitor’s fees, hence the name No Win No Fee.
With nothing to pay upfront and nothing to lose, why wait? Get in touch with us now to start your tinnitus claim. We’re ready to help you take the first confident step towards fair compensation:
- Call 0333 0000729.
- Fill out our ‘Contact Us‘ form.
- Message in our on-screen live chat box.
Learn More
Explore more of our similar guides:
- Learn how to make a motorcyclist accident claim.
- Find out how fatal road traffic accident claims are made
- Learn how to make a personal injury claim for deafness.
These external resources might also be useful for you:
- NHS – tinnitus overview
- Gov.UK – learn how to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if your tinnitus has made you have time off work.
- THINK! – a road safety campaign that advices road users on safety.
Have you suffered tinnitus after a car accident? Don’t wait – contact us today for a free consultation and get expert help from our panel of solicitors under a CFA.
