The average settlement for a minor back or neck injury is between $2,500 and $8,000. If physical therapy, injections, or other forms of treatment are required the settlement may be higher and range from $20,000 - $40,000. If broken bones or some other serious trauma occurred the settlement value may rise to over $100,000. However, most back and neck injuries caused by car accidents, do not reach this amount and are seldomly valued over $100,000.
The neck, the spine, and the back are highly vulnerable in a car accident. There is a whole range of neck or spine injuries that frequently occur in these crashes – from whiplash in a rear-end collision, to back sprains, to disabling spinal damage.
How much is the average settlement for a neck, spine, or back injury? These injury cases vary widely. The compensation amount depends on many unique factors such as the severity of the injury, the extent of necessary treatment, the long-term expenses, and the circumstances that led to the accident.
The Severity Of Injury Affects The Settlement Value
In general, the more severe the injury, the greater the compensation. We’ve encountered many cases that settled at several thousand dollars, but there are some serious, lifetime injuries where damages easily exceed $1 million. Consider these back or neck injuries in auto accidents, with varying degrees of severity:
- Whiplash - This is the overextension of the neck that occurs when the head violently rocks back and forth upon vehicle impact. Whiplash is often dismissed as a simple neck strain, but the neck pain and stiffness that victims experience can sometimes be compounded by other symptoms such as intense headaches and motion problems.
- Shoulder fracture - A broken bone on the shoulder or upper arm can lead to weeks of limited movement. Some cases require surgery as well.
- Spinal fracture - This serious injury on the backbone usually causes debilitating back pain. In more severe cases, its symptoms also include limb paralysis or weakness, uncontrolled muscle spasms, and loss of control of the bowels.
- Slipped or ruptured disc - Spinal discs are soft, jelly-filled tissues that serve as cushion in between the stacked bones of the spine (vertebrae). When a spinal disk ruptures or slips out, it can push surrounding nerves, causing pain and movement problems.
- Paralysis - Our spine protects the spinal cord, which is the ‘main line’ for our brain to control our movements. Damage to the spinal cord can paralyze limbs, muscles, and organs, sometimes permanently. Tetraplegia, quadriplegia, and paraplegia are types of paralysis that often lead to major settlements.
Many cases of neck or back injury are challenging to prove, especially when the insurance company is experienced in downplaying the damage. Whiplash, for example, is a soft-tissue injury with ‘ordinary’ symptoms – there are no broken bones and no paralysis.
But whether or not your injury has extreme symptoms, you still suffer losses in the form of medical bills and lost income, for which you may be compensated. You may also be able to claim for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Get the help of a competent injury lawyer to help you fight for the full compensation you deserve
Contact Barrios & Machado
We at Barrios & Machado can help you strategize and fight for your maximum compensation. We are intimately familiar with the insurance claims process.
Consult with us for free by calling (714) 515-9696.
