What Are Average Car Accident Settlements for Neck and Back Injuries?
Posted on: March 13, 2023
Car accidents can cause serious neck and back injuries, even if passengers are wearing their seatbelts. Pain, mobility problems, and even permanent disability are just a few possible complications of these types of injuries. Financial settlements provide compensation for injured parties who require costly medical care, cannot work, or have experienced a decline in their quality of life due to a debilitating neck or back injury.
What Determines the Amount of Car Accident Settlements?
Because every case is different, it is difficult to place an exact dollar amount on the average car accident settlement for neck and back injuries. Here are the key variables that help determine how much compensation an injured party receives.
Location
Some states have a cap on how much the injured party can recover for non-economic damages like physical pain and emotional distress resulting from neck or back pain and disability. Also, every state has their own criteria for what constitutes pain and suffering. A lawyer will explain the laws in your state and how that impact your case.
Extent of Injuries and Long-Term Prognosis
The nature and severity of neck and back injuries also plays a part in the final settlement amount. The same is true for the injured party’s long-term prognosis. Costs for immediate and future care are included in neck and back injury settlements.
For example, while a fractured spine is painful and may require bracing, surgery, and physical therapy, it is not a permanent condition like paralysis. Someone with an irreversible condition is going to receive a higher settlement because they require more extensive care and may not be able to work or do all the activities they once did.
Legal Representation
Plaintiffs with legal representation are shown to be twice as likely to receive higher compensation as those without. That is because car accident lawyers have experience negotiating with insurance companies and their legal teams.
Auto insurance companies often start out with a lower settlement offer and hope the injured party accepts. A skilled lawyer knows what is fair and reasonable for their client’s medical bills, lost income and earning capacity, future care, and emotional losses.
The right lawyer is determined to fight for a settlement that truly reflects their client’s losses. They build a compelling case for compensation with details from the crash, medical bills, and other evidence that tells the story of the how the accident happened and how those injuries changed their client’s life.
Average Settlements for Neck and Back Injuries
Many car accident lawyers and insurance companies use a formula to estimate a potential settlement for auto accidents. They start with the total of economic damages like medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. In the United States, the median settlement for a neck or back injury from a car accident is generally in the range of $100,000 – $500,000.
What Are Common Neck and Back Injuries That Occur in Car Accidents?
Neck and back injuries can be very painful and impact movement and mobility indefinitely. Common injuries of the neck and spine include:
- Broken vertebrae
- Spinal disc injuries
- Pinched nerves
- Spinal cord injuries
- Spine fractures
- Strains and sprains
- Whiplash
Signs and Symptoms of a Neck or Back Injury
The complex structures of the neck and back are especially vulnerable to injury during a high-impact car accident. Possible signs of a neck or back injury include:
- Bruises, bumps, or redness
- Clicking or griding in beck or back during movement
- Headaches
- Reduced range of motion
- Muscle weakness, cramps, or spasms
- Numbness or tingling
- Pain in the neck or back
While some symptoms occur at the site of trauma, others can develop throughout the body. Every symptom should be taken seriously. Untreated back and neck injuries can worsen and result in chronic pain and permanent disability. Anyone involved in a crash should get checked out by a healthcare provider to rule out invisible injuries, even if they have no pain or symptoms.
Freehold Car Accident Lawyers at Ellis Law Fight for Fair Compensation for Clients with Neck and Back Injuries
Our experienced Freehold car accident lawyers at Ellis Law know it is vital for clients to receive a fair settlement. We advocate on your behalf so you can focus on healing. Call 732-308-0200 or contact the firm online to schedule a consultation. From our Freehold location, we assist clients in Asbury Park, Middletown, Toms River, East Brunswick, Jersey City, Long Branch, Neptune, Hudson County, Union County, Essex County, Monmouth County, Marlboro and Ocean County, New Jersey, as well as Brooklyn and New York City,
