How to Check Your Credit Report
April 6, 2026
How to Check Your Credit Report for Errors Key Takeaways Checking your credit report regularly is the best way to monitor your financial health. Visit
info@carolinalaw.com
info@carolinalaw.com
Someone involved in a car crash may leave with various injuries, some of which can impact them permanently. Among the less frequently discussed injuries is hearing damage. Conditions such as tinnitus, which is often characterized by ringing in the ears, can be disruptive and cause stress. If you suffered hearing damage like tinnitus from a car accident, you deserve proper compensation for all parts of your life. Maginnis Howard focuses on assisting clients who have experienced motor vehicle accidents, regardless of severity, to get the support they need to recover.
Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying issue or trauma that is characterized by sounds that only the individual can hear. Most often described as a phantom ringing in the ear, tinnitus can present in many ways. Other noises associated with tinnitus include:
These are sounds that only the person with tinnitus can hear. It can appear in one or both ears, and it may come and go. Many cases of tinnitus after a car accident go away on their own, but it’s essential to visit a medical professional if you experience any symptoms. Your injuries may not appear immediately and can develop over days to weeks. In some cases, tinnitus can become a chronic condition that requires long-term care.
A traumatic experience like a car accident, motorcycle wreck, or trucking collision can cause tinnitus in a number of ways. A few of the most common include:
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents, ranging from minor to catastrophic. It involves rapid back-and-forth head movement that can damage the inner ear and the nerves that transmit auditory signals to the brain. Whiplash may seem like an injury that heals on its own, but it can lead to multiple other issues that develop over time. Hearing issues like tinnitus can develop hours and even days after a crash, so anyone with a whiplash injury must seek immediate medical attention.
Just as a whiplash injury damages the neck, the fast, jerking movement of the head can make the brain strike the inside of the skull, leading to a traumatic brain injury. While brain injuries vary in severity, any TBI should be treated with utmost seriousness. Car accident victims who experience concussions, considered “mild” TBIs, frequently report tinnitus as a symptom. Other TBI symptoms include overall hearing loss, noise sensitivity, and dizziness.
The temporal bone is one of the densest in the body, which protects the delicate structures that allow hearing. Impact on the temporal bone, situated at the sides and base of your skull, can leave your inner ear vulnerable. This type of injury only comes from high-force, direct trauma to the skull and is often accompanied by dizziness and facial nerve paralysis.
The impact of vehicles colliding in and of itself is incredibly loud, especially at high speeds. Sounds over 85 decibels damage cilia, the microscopic hair cells in your inner ear responsible for sending sound signals to the brain. For reference, a normal conversation ranges from 60 to 70 decibels. A serious car wreck can reach 150 decibels on impact alone
Did You Know?
A study by the National Institutes of Health demonstrated that 10% of patients suffering from whiplash also experience tinnitus, deafness, or vertigo.
Airbags are undoubtedly a life-saving invention that has prevented countless fatalities in serious crashes. Unfortunately, the same technology that saves lives can also leave vehicle occupants with other, less severe injuries. Airbag injuries commonly cause cuts, burns, fractures, and hearing loss. All cars and light trucks from the 1999 model year onward are required to have frontal airbags to protect the driver and front passenger. Most cars come equipped with side airbags, but it is not a requirement.
An airbag deploys in literally the blink of an eye- 1/20th of a second. The speed of deployment, combined with the pressure required to deploy an airbag, produces a sound of up to 160 decibels, similar to a gunshot. Like any loud noise associated with a car accident, airbag deployment can damage the delicate inner ear hair cells (cilia) that convert sound into electrical signals sent to the brain. Combine the sound of a crash with the deployment of frontal and even side airbags, and it’s easy to imagine the damage to your hearing.
A medical professional can typically diagnose tinnitus based on the symptoms listed above. They may ask for specific descriptions of the sounds you are experiencing to aid diagnosis and investigate the cause. For example, high-pitched ringing is most commonly caused by exposure to loud noise, while low-pitched ringing may indicate an ear canal blockage. In some cases, you may need to visit an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist or audiologist.
There is no “cure” for tinnitus. Treatments tailored to an individual’s case can help make symptoms less noticeable and disruptive. A doctor may suggest a white noise machine to mask the ringing with continuous sounds. Complete silence makes the phantom sounds more prominent, causing anxiety and headaches. If someone is struggling with persistent or permanent tinnitus, a doctor may recommend behavioral therapy to help manage the condition with ongoing treatment.
Tinnitus is a condition that does not appear on any scan. The only way to diagnose and treat it is by describing the symptoms. Sometimes, insurance companies use this lack of “proof” to lower their offer. However, any car accident victim is entitled to compensatory damages that accurately reflect all aspects of the injury. It’s essential to understand what you may be entitled to if you experience tinnitus as a result of a motor vehicle accident:
Do not fall into the economic or non-economic categories, because they do not compensate for a loss. Instead, they are awarded to punish the defendant(s) for especially reckless or willful behaviors that caused harm. The idea is that the extra penalty will deter others from acting similarly. Punitive damages cannot exceed $250,000, unless the injury or wrongful death was the result of a drunk driver.
Experienced guidance from an attorney can help you navigate the complex issues raised in a personal injury lawsuit and advocate for fair compensation.
After hiring a skilled personal injury lawyer for your car accident claim, they will first work with you to recover as much evidence as possible. Generally, this means accident reports, medical records, witness statements, photos and videos, and expert opinions. Your legal team will then calculate damages and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. If the insurer refuses to provide an appropriate payment, your attorney will file a Complaint with the court to initiate a lawsuit. The case proceeds to the discovery phase, which involves both parties (your side and the defendants’) gathering and exchanging information. After discovery, your lawyer will discuss a potential settlement with the defense. If the parties still cannot reach an agreement, the matter proceeds to a trial in civil court.
Personal injury lawsuits, especially those involving car, motorcycle, or truck accidents, vary in length. The timeline depends heavily on the severity of the wreck, the extent of injuries, available coverage, and more. Some cases resolve in a matter of months, others over a year. Maginnis Howard’s attorneys understand the toll a car accident and the resulting issues can take. We work with our clients to litigate their claims as efficiently as possible without cutting corners. We’ll never pressure you to take a quick settlement or to drag out a case if you are satisfied with an offer. Our methodology is centered around getting the best settlement for you- and that means balancing speed and value to fit your needs.
Finding and selecting the appropriate attorney for your injury claim can greatly influence your overall experience. The motor vehicle accident lawyers at Maginnis Howard are committed to the community and tailor their approach to each client. Unlike some national firms that handle cases as numbers, our team emphasizes your unique needs and ensures your best interests are always a priority.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, reach out to us today for a free consultation. Our experienced legal team will evaluate your case, and if we decide to represent you, we work on a contingency basis—meaning you don’t pay anything until we secure compensation. Visit our contact page to learn more about our offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Fayetteville. Maginnis Howard serves clients throughout the Carolinas in cases of all sizes.
How to Check Your Credit Report for Errors Key Takeaways Checking your credit report regularly is the best way to monitor your financial health. Visit
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have transformed from niche treatments to popular options for weight loss and diabetes management. However, improper dosing can lead to severe health risks, including life-altering injuries. Understanding the potential dangers of GLP-1s is crucial, especially when overdoses can occur due to physician errors or pharmaceutical negligence. If you or a loved one has suffered from an overdose or incorrect dosage, it’s essential to seek legal guidance. Our experienced medical malpractice lawyers are here to help you navigate your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Read on to learn more about GLP-1s and your options.
We are investigating alleged insider fraud involving ZoomInfo, DocGo, and GeneDx during certain periods.
What to Know About First Advantage Background Checks Key Takeaways Consumers allege First Advantage background checks have cost them valuable opportunities. The Fair Credit Reporting
Premises liability cases in Charlotte cover far more than wet floors and slip-and-fall accidents. Any time a property owner’s failure to maintain safe conditions or
Slip and fall injuries in Charlotte range from sprains that resolve in weeks to catastrophic injuries that permanently alter a person’s ability to work, move,