If your quick trip to the store turned into a nightmare car accident, you have legal rights. When you injure your neck or back in a car accident, you may need a significant amount of compensation to help you pay for treatment. Speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer to understand your legal options and learn more about average car accident settlements for neck and back injuries.
When someone else caused an accident that led to your severe neck and back pain, they should be required to pay for your recovery and other losses. To secure the compensation you deserve, trust a dedicated car accident attorney to guide you through the legal process.
Why You Should Work With an Accident Attorney to Receive a Settlement for Neck and Back Injuries
Even though insurance adjusters may be skeptical of your injuries, neck and back pain is disabling and can have a significant impact on your whole life. Hurting your neck or back greatly impacts how and if you can move your body. Riding a bicycle or dancing with your friends is difficult after a neck or back injury. Even cooking a meal is often challenging due to bending and reaching for ingredients and pans.
Consulting with a back and neck injury lawyer at our law firm soon after your car accident can help you protect your financial future and ability to seek compensation. Without a car accident injury lawyer on your side, the insurance companies may not play fair. They may refuse to pay you what you need after a back or neck injury. Without the right amount of compensation, you could find yourself facing a lifetime of medical debt and financial strain.
What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement for a Neck or Back Injury?
The amount of back or neck settlement awarded for your injuries depends on several factors. Each case is unique, so no true averages exist for settlements or judgments. Your back injury settlement or neck injury settlement could be $10,000, over $100,000, or more, depending on several factors.
The severity of your injury and the details of your case, along with available evidence, can play important roles in what you receive. For instance,
- How did your back or neck injury affect your overall quality of life?
- Did you suffer a permanent disability?
- Did your injury result in long-term pain and suffering?
- Has your neck or back injury prevented you from returning to work?
At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, our attorneys have one main goal: to get you the compensation you deserve after a serious back or neck injury. The insurance company has a different goal: to pay you as little as possible.
Trust Us to Handle the Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are businesses that make money by paying the lowest possible accident claims. To do this, they will investigate your accident closely and try to deny or limit your back and neck injuries. They may say that you are not injured as severely as you claim. They may even point to pre-existing medical conditions to limit the settlement value of your case.
Our injury attorneys are prepared for these games since we deal with them frequently. Our goal is to fight aggressively for our injured clients every step of the way.
A Few of Our Neck and Back Injury Case Results
The following examples demonstrate some possible successful case resolutions that far exceeded initial settlement offers. Of course, each case is different, and the examples below do not predict or guarantee the outcome of your particular case.
$525,000 Neck and Back Injury to Spinal Disc
To defend this claim, the insurance carriers claimed our client's pre-existing neck and back issues were the cause of their injuries. Even though our client did have significant pre-existing conditions, a personal injury attorney secured a $525,000 settlement.
Before we filed a lawsuit, the insurance company's initial offer was $45,000.
$425,000 Lower Back Injury After Car Accident
In this case, our client suffered a lower back injury due to a serious rear-end car accident. Treatment for her injury required surgery. The highest offer before litigation was $265,000.
$415,000 Motorcycle Collision with Cervical Fusion
A motorcycle collision left this client with a damaged disc in his neck. The client tried injection therapy and conservative treatment options without success. To get relief, the client underwent cervical fusion surgery to repair the damaged disc in his neck. The case was settled one day before the trial was to begin.
The initial offer before litigation was $130,000.
$380,000 Herniated Disc After Being Rear-Ended
This client was rear-ended while sitting at a railroad crossing. While the insurance company tried to prove the herniated disc pre-existed, it did not. An attorney successfully secured a settlement of $380,000 for the client's back injury, which required surgery.
At Dolman Law Group, our personal injury attorneys will work hard to protect your best interests. Your case is unique to your situation, and your outcome may differ from those listed above. With proper documentation and evidence of your accident, securing compensation for neck and back injuries is possible and worth pursuing.
How to Pursue an Injury Settlement After a Neck or Back Injury
Insurance company representatives may offer you a settlement soon after the accident. While the offer may seem like a large amount, it most likely will not cover your future medical expenses. Neck and back injuries are painful and often require extensive treatment, including pain medication. Lying in your hospital bed, groggy from medications, is no time to make important decisions.
There are several key reasons for not accepting the initial offer and for pursuing compensation:
- The limitations of some states' No-Fault Laws - While some states require drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, the minimum amount of allowed coverage is $10,000. Depending upon the severity of your injury, your costs can soar well beyond a few thousand dollars.
- Lost wages - A neck or back injury can not only slow you down, but it can prevent you from doing your job, resulting in lost wages. Even desk jobs involve proper posture and turning your head, or driving your car to work may suddenly become impossible due to a neck brace.
- Accountability - No one should pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses or suffer financial stress due to another driver's carelessness. Holding the negligent driver responsible for their actions may help to ensure they will never drive recklessly again.
There's no quick fix to your life after a traumatic car accident. Neck and back pain can follow you throughout your life and long after the initial injury. Pursuing a settlement is your opportunity to seek legal action against the responsible party.
Many personal injury attorneys agree to represent clients by guaranteeing, “if we don't win, you don't pay.” This means there are no fees unless they secure compensation for you. Consider what you have to lose by pursuing litigation versus what you have to lose by not working with a skilled attorney and taking a chance on your own.
Neck and Back Injury Settlement Damages You Can Request
Our personal injury lawyers can help you seek monetary damages after a car accident in Florida or anywhere in the U.S. We are a nationwide injury law firm with decades of experience representing victims of car accidents. Some of the most common types of damages available to accident victims include:
- Medical expenses, both past, present, and future
- Rehabilitation costs
- Long-term care
- Lost income
- Loss of future earnings
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship or consortium
Hiring a personal injury attorney at Dolman Law Group is the best way to obtain compensation for your losses and reach a successful settlement with the insurance company after a car accident. We can advocate for your interests and maximize the types of damages you can receive.
Even if the insurance company fights or pushes back - we fight harder. If necessary, we can take your case all the way to trial to secure the compensation you deserve.
Factors that Affect Your Back or Neck Injury Settlement
There are many factors that will affect the amount of your back and neck injury settlement. As such, the amount you might receive may vary greatly from the average settlement amount. Instead of thinking in terms of average settlements, it is important to consider how much YOUR case is worth.
Any settlement you receive is unique to YOUR situation. No two cases are ever the same.
Many factors will affect the amount you can receive in a back or neck settlement. Some of those factors include:
- The nature and severity of your injury
- Other driver's liability
- Your own liability
- Insurance policy limits
- Your attorney's ability to negotiate
One of the biggest factors in the neck or back settlement you can receive is your attorney's ability to negotiate maximum compensation. Insurance companies may try to claim that you already had back or neck injuries. These pre-existing injuries may be used to reduce your claim.
Our attorneys know how to combat these tactics. We will work with your medical team to show insurance companies how your accident furthered your already existing injuries and/or caused new ones. We will gather the necessary evidence to show liability and build your case, which often includes police reports, witness statements, traffic surveillance footage, and doctor's reports.
Insurance Policy Limits
Another big factor in the amount of money you can receive after a neck or back injury is the amount of the at-fault driver's insurance policy limits. Sadly, you will only be able to recover up to the maximum policy limit unless you sue the defendant directly (and they have substantial assets) or bring a claim against another party. Our lawyers know how to determine all liable parties to maximize your compensation. If filing a lawsuit is necessary, we are experienced and skilled litigators who are not afraid to fight tough battles in and out of courtrooms for our injured clients.
Types of Neck and Back Injuries and Trauma You Can Include in Your Claim
The first step towards resolving your case and reaching a back and neck injury settlement is to understand your injuries and how they will affect your life and your future.
The neck and back are parts of our body we tend to take for granted—until they hurt. The ability to turn our heads and lift objects depends upon the health of both the neck and the back. A traumatic event can result in serious, life-long neck and back pain.
Traumatic events can include slip and fall accidents, car accidents, and motorcycle crashes and can occur while working at your job, while walking through a grocery store, or while commuting to work. Here are a few examples of neck and back traumas that require medical attention.
Spinal cord injuries
Car accidents can inflict severe damage to people's backs which can lead to a number of issues with the spinal cord. The spinal cord consists of a bundle of nerves that runs the length of the vertebrae that make up the spine. Like other parts of the nervous system, the spinal cord is extremely sensitive, and damage can severely disrupt a person's ability to control certain organs.
People that sustain a spinal cord injury because of a car accident can suffer from a number of debilitating symptoms such as sensory problems, loss of strength, or the inability to control their limbs. Spinal cord damage can be suffered directly because of the force of a car collision, vertebrae can be moved and put pressure on the spinal cord, or the spinal cord can be damaged by slivers of broken vertebrae.
Neck sprain
A sudden impact, like that of a rear-end collision, can cause a neck sprain. Described as a stretched ligament or muscle in the neck, a sprain is often quite painful. Sometimes referred to as whiplash, a neck sprain can result in a stiff neck, making it difficult to turn your head.
The pain of a neck sprain can also travel beyond the neck. Patients may experience patchy numbness in their hands or arms and dizziness. Shoulder pain in the upper back and ringing in the ears are other possible symptoms.
It's important to seek immediate medical attention for suspected whiplash to rule out a spinal cord injury. Sleeping with a neck sprain is difficult, and patients may also need assistance with daily tasks. Treatment can involve medication, wearing a neck brace, and physical therapy.
Cervical fracture
The neck contains cervical bones, also called vertebrae, that make up the spine in the neck and are labeled C1-C7. The cervical bones perform the important function of protecting the spinal cord, supporting the neck, and allowing for movement.
When there is a suspected fracture of the cervical bones, first responders must immobilize the patient. Once stabilized, an assessment of the patient's injuries can determine how many breaks exist and their location. Treatment depends upon the severity of the injury and may include a neck brace, traction, or surgery.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation can last for months, and some cervical fractures can result in permanent injury.
Herniated discs
These soft, rubbery discs sit between the vertebrae of the spine. Serving as a type of cushion, the discs can rupture or herniate and push through the vertebrae. The result is pressure on nerves and pain in the lower back or neck.
Shooting pain and tingling or numbness in your limbs can affect your daily life. Herniated discs sometimes require surgery to remove the ruptured disc.
Broken back
A broken back, or spinal fracture, is an extremely painful injury that requires immediate medical attention. Only a medical professional with access to an MRI or a CT scan can properly diagnose a broken back.
Recovery from such an injury can take weeks, months, and possibly years, depending upon the severity. For a broken back injury involving the spinal cord, the damage may require surgery and may become permanent.
What a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney Can Do for You
A personal injury attorney will represent your legal interests during negotiations or a trial while keeping you informed of the progress of your case throughout. Deciding whether you even have a viable case is your first step. As soon as possible, discuss your potential case with a personal injury attorney.
If you must remain in the hospital, ask them to visit you there. Time is of the essence due to the statute of limitations in your state. The sooner an attorney reviews your case, the sooner they can discuss the best course of action with you.
The initial case evaluation with most personal injury attorneys is free, making it a great way to explore your options. Friends and family may pressure you to accept the insurance company's initial offer. Our experienced personal injury attorneys understand state laws, and we know how to negotiate with insurance companies so you don't have to.
Let us handle the legal burdens, make sure the paperwork is filed promptly, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. Pursuing the best outcome for you requires patience and trust. A highly skilled personal injury attorney at Dolman Law Group will do everything possible to settle your case out-of-court if possible. We can help achieve a fair settlement, but we are unafraid to go to trial if that's what is necessary to protect your rights.
Talk to an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today
Focusing on your health and medical recovery during this difficult time is your top priority. The legal details, witness statements, negotiations, and court filings are best left to a trusted personal injury attorney. Dolman Law Group has a long history of personal injury cases where we have successfully recovered compensation for those that have suffered neck and back injuries.
When you let an experienced neck and back injury attorney handle your case, you can rest assured that your financial future is in good hands. Call us today at 866-594-6094 or fill out our confidential contact form for your free consultation and case review. We are here to help you after a serious back or neck injury, so don't delay!
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
866-594-6094