What to Do if You’re Suffering from Vision or Hearing Loss After an Illinois Car Accident

 Posted on August 31, 2026 in Car Accidents

A car accident can come with a wide variety of injuries, ranging from broken bones to lacerations. However, some of the more dangerous injuries after a car crash might not be immediately obvious at first. If you notice concerning symptoms like vision or hearing loss after a crash, seek medical attention and get in touch with a Joliet, IL car accident attorney.

At Schwartz Injury Law, we have helped many car accident victims – including survivors left with catastrophic injuries – with verdicts and settlements totalling millions of dollars. Our firm can look at the "invisible" symptoms of your car accident injuries and advocate for full and fair compensation on your behalf.

How Can a Car Accident Cause Hearing Loss?

A car accident can damage your hearing in several ways. The force of a crash can rupture an eardrum or damage the small bones inside the ear. A blow to the head during a collision can also injure the auditory nerve, which carries sound signals to the brain. This type of injury can lead to permanent hearing loss, even when the injury is not visible on the outside.

Airbags can also play a role in hearing damage. An airbag deploys with a loud bang that can reach over 160 decibels. The sudden noise can cause hearing damage in some cases. Some drivers and passengers develop tinnitus after a crash, which can cause ringing or buzzing in the ears. Some people notice that sounds seem muffled or distant after the accident. These symptoms should never be ignored, since early treatment can sometimes limit long-term damage.

How Can a Car Accident Cause Vision Loss?

Vision loss after a car accident often results from trauma to the head, face, or eyes. A direct hit to the eye from broken glass, an airbag, or the steering wheel can cause serious damage. Fractures to the bones around the eye socket can also affect vision, since these bones support and protect the eye.

Head injuries can affect vision even when the eyes themselves are not directly harmed. A brain injury can damage the parts of the brain responsible for processing what the eyes see. This can lead to blurred vision, double vision, light sensitivity, or blind spots. In severe cases, a car accident can cause partial or complete blindness in one or both eyes.

Vision problems are not always obvious right after a crash. Anyone who notices vision problems after a car accident should be checked by a doctor.

What Are the Signs of a Concussion After a Car Accident?

A concussion is a type of brain injury that can happen even in a low-speed collision. The sudden force of a crash can cause the brain to move quickly inside the skull, resulting in a concussion. Signs of a concussion can include:

• Headaches that do not go away
• Dizziness or trouble balancing
• Confusion or trouble concentrating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Ringing in the ears
• Blurred or double vision
• Memory problems

A person might feel fine at the scene of the accident, only to develop symptoms hours later. Since hearing and vision problems can overlap with concussion symptoms, a medical evaluation is important if these symptoms develop after a crash. A doctor can help determine whether the cause is a concussion, an injury to the eyes or ears, or both.

Should You Wait Before Accepting a Settlement From a Car Accident in 2026?

Insurance companies often try to settle claims quickly. A fast settlement might seem appealing when medical bills are piling up, but accepting an early offer can be a costly mistake. Hearing and vision injuries are not always easy to diagnose right away, and the full extent of the damage might not be clear for weeks or even months.

In general, you should be cautious about signing off on any settlement from an insurance company without talking to an attorney first. In most cases, you will not be able to request more payment later if your injuries turn out to be more serious after accepting an offer. If your hearing or vision problems turn out to be permanent, that should be accounted for in the value of your claim.

Waiting until your doctors have a clear picture of your injuries can help you avoid settling for less than your claim is worth. A personal injury attorney can review any settlement offer and explain whether it accounts for your full losses, both now and in the future.

Can a Car Accident Lawsuit Account for Damage to Earning Potential?

Hearing and vision loss can affect a person's ability to work, both now and later in life. Many jobs require sharp hearing or clear vision, and an injury can make it difficult or impossible to keep doing that type of work. Some people can return to a different type of work, but they might need additional training or accommodations.

A car accident lawsuit in Illinois can account for this type of harm through a claim for lost earning capacity. This is different from lost wages, which cover income missed while recovering. Lost earning capacity looks at how an injury affects your ability to earn money over the course of your life. In a negligence claim, this amount can be reduced if you were partly at fault for the crash, as long as your share of fault was 50 percent or less (735 ILCS 5/2-1116)

What Are the Non-Economic Damages of Partial Blindness or Deafness After a Car Crash?

Non-economic damages cover losses that do not come with a receipt or a bill. Partial blindness or deafness can affect nearly every part of daily life. A person might struggle to drive, read, hold a job, or communicate with family and friends. These changes can cause frustration and emotional distress.

Non-economic damages in a car accident claim can include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and the emotional toll of adjusting to a permanent disability. A person who once enjoyed music, conversation, or reading might find those simple pleasures harder to access. Courts and insurance companies are often asked to place a dollar value on these losses, even though no dollar amount can undo the injury.

Contact Our Joliet, IL Car Accident Attorneys

Hearing and vision injuries from a car accident can affect your life for years to come. At Schwartz Injury Law, we take the time to understand how your injuries have changed your daily routine, your work, and your relationships. We build claims that account for both your current losses and the challenges you may face in the future. Contact our Joliet, IL auto accident lawyers or call 708-888-2160 to set up a free consultation.