Tinnitus is a condition caused by damage to the inner ear, where you experience unwanted sounds like ringing, buzzing, or roaring. For some, it’s a mild nuisance. For others, it can be life-altering.
Many people don’t realise car accidents are a common cause of tinnitus. It can result from head injuries, whiplash, or even loud noises at the point of impact. If you’ve developed tinnitus after a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation.
Tinnitus symptoms may not appear straight away. That’s why it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible — not just for your health, but to support a potential compensation claim. In this guide, we explain what tinnitus is, what symptoms to look out for after a car accident, and how you may be able to claim compensation through Injury Lawyers 4u.
What is tinnitus and how can a car accident cause it?
Tinnitus is a condition that causes unwelcome sounds that have no external source, usually buzzing, ringing, humming, pulsing, roaring, and whooshing noises. These phantom sounds can come and go, but for some people they’re continuous. They can be disruptive, making it difficult to hear, focus, sleep, and live life comfortably.
It’s usually caused by inner ear damage, which is why it can often develop after a road traffic accident. Tinnitus after a car accident can be triggered by:
- Head injuries: Concussions, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injuries can damage the auditory system, leading to tinnitus.
- Whiplash: A sudden jolt to the neck can disrupt blood flow to the inner ear, causing tinnitus symptoms.
- Exposure to loud noises: The impact of a crash or the sudden deployment of an airbag can generate intense noise, which may cause inner ear damage.
Tinnitus doesn’t always appear straight away. Symptoms can take time to develop, and while some people find it fades over time, others are left with long-term or even permanent effects. That’s why early medical assessment and diagnosis is so important.
Can you claim compensation for tinnitus after a car accident?
If your tinnitus was caused by a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation for both tinnitus and any related hearing loss. To be eligible to claim for tinnitus or hearing loss after a car accident, you’ll need to show that:
- Duty of care: The other party owed you a duty of care, such as another person driving safely and following the road laws.
- Breach of duty: That duty was breached, for example through reckless driving or failing to stop at a red light.
- Causation of injury: Your injury is directly linked to the accident.
Time limits for making tinnitus claims
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you generally have three years from the date of an accident to make a personal injury claim. However, there are exceptions, such as cases where symptoms appear later or where the claimant lacks mental capacity to make a claim themselves.
Even if your tinnitus began weeks or months after the crash, you may still be eligible to claim, provided that a medical diagnosis supports your claim.
How much compensation could you receive?
The amount of compensation you could receive for tinnitus depends on how severe your symptoms are and how much they affect your daily life.
Compensation is typically split into two parts:
- General damages: For the pain, suffering, and impact tinnitus has had on your quality of life.
- Special damages: To cover financial losses caused by your condition, including medical expenses, treatment (like hearing aids), travel costs, and lost earnings if tinnitus affects your ability to work.
The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) set out the following recommended compensation amounts for tinnitus, based on how severe the condition is:
- Whiplash with tinnitus: £4,215 – £4,345
- Mild tinnitus: £12,590 – £14,900
- Moderate tinnitus: £14,900 – £29,710
- Severe tinnitus with hearing loss: £36,260 – £55,570
Every case is different, so your final compensation amount will depend on the specifics of your condition and how it’s affected your life. You can use our compensation calculator to get a better idea of the general damages you could expect to be awarded. For a more accurate valuation tailored to your situation, speak to our legal team.
How do you prove your tinnitus claim?
To strengthen your tinnitus compensation claim, you’ll need to gather strong evidence to support it, such as:
- Medical records: Medical evidence for tinnitus claims is crucial. A formal diagnosis from a GP or a specialist, like an otolaryngologist, is mandatory to begin making a claim.
- Otolaryngologist (ENT) or audiologist reports: These detailed assessments from hearing experts can provide insight into the severity of your symptoms and the likely cause.
- Witness statements: Testimonies from passengers, pedestrians, or family members can help show how the accident happened and how your symptoms have developed since.
- CCTV or dashcam footage: Video evidence of the crash can be valuable in proving who was at fault.
- Photographic evidence: If you suffered visible injuries (e.g. head trauma, bruising, or airbag burns), photos taken shortly after the accident can support your claim.
Putting together a strong case with a range of evidence will not only improve your chances of success but may also help you secure a higher compensation amount.
How does the Whiplash Reform Programme affect tinnitus claims?
The Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 introduced new rules around whiplash claims, including fixed compensation tariffs for certain injuries. However, tinnitus is not included in this tariff system.
This means tinnitus compensation claims are assessed separately and individually, based on how serious the condition is and how it affects your life. That’s good news for claimants, as tinnitus is often more severe and longer-lasting than whiplash, and it typically attracts higher compensation amounts.
If you make a claim through Injury Lawyers 4u, we’ll make sure your tinnitus is treated as the serious condition it is. We’ll factor in every aspect of your injury and fight for the full compensation you’re owed.
What treatment options are available for tinnitus?
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for tinnitus. And while it passes in some situations, for most people it’s a lasting condition they’ll have to live with. However, there are tinnitus treatments that can help reduce symptoms and/or make them more manageable, including:
- Hearing aids: These can reduce the perception of tinnitus and improve your overall hearing. They’re often expensive (between £1,000–£3,000), but compensation can help cover the cost.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): Helps manage the stress, anxiety, or low mood that often comes with long-term tinnitus.
- Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT): Uses sound therapy and counselling to help your brain tune out the tinnitus sounds over time.
- Sound therapy & white noise machines: These can mask tinnitus and make the symptoms less noticeable, especially at night.
Treatment costs can quickly add up, but by claiming compensation you can ensure you get access to the best possible care.
Why choose Injury Lawyers 4u for your tinnitus claim?
At Injury Lawyers 4u, we understand how distressing tinnitus can be and how difficult it is to live with. We have years of experience in making road traffic accident claims, including claims for tinnitus and hearing loss.
If you choose to make your tinnitus compensation claim with us, we offer you the benefit of our specialist expertise and our comprehensive support. We’ll take care of everything from paperwork and negotiations to gathering medical evidence, so you don’t have to worry about the legal process and can focus on your recovery and tinnitus treatment.
We also work on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning you’ll only pay us if your claim is successful. There are no upfront costs and no financial risk to you.
Start your tinnitus claim with us today
If you’re experiencing tinnitus after a car accident, we may be able to help you secure compensation for your condition and its impact on your life.
Contact us today on 0333 400 4445 for a free consultation or fill in a contact form and we’ll get back to you right away.