Average Back Injury Settlement Amounts
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Average Payout For A Back Injury From A Car Accident
Back injuries sustained in car accidents, even minor ones, can be debilitating and have life-long consequences. Even if there is very little damage to the vehicle, a low-speed impact can cause serious neck and back problems that insurance companies often try to downplay. This may lead accident victims into lengthy legal battles over their rightful compensation. At the Law Offices of J. Robert Davis, P.C., we understand the average settlement for back injuries from car accidents and will fight hard to get you the payout you deserve.
Understanding Back Injury Liability
Even though our spines are flexible and strong, they’re still vulnerable to damage from the traumatic force. This can happen even if you wear a seat belt because seat belts often cause this type of injury. Although wearing seat belts while driving is important, they can cause severe back injuries in the event of an accident. The compression of the spine can lead to muscle tears, ruptured discs, or fractures.
- Cervical
- Thoracic
- Lumbar
- Sacral
- Coccygeal
Most back injuries occur in the thoracic or lumbar spine, and it is very rare for someone to injure their sacrum or coccyx in a car accident. If the injury is to vertebrae or spinal disc, diagnostic films, medical records, doctors and attorneys will want to see at which level of the spine (as defined by the number of vertebrae) it occurred. The following levels are:
- Cervical vertebrae (C1-C7) – neck
- Thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12) – middle/upper back
- Lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5) – lower back
- Sacral vertebrae (S1-S5) – pelvis
The discs rest in between the vertebrae, which is why medical professionals never document an injury as a “C3 disc.” For example, if the disk residing between C3 and C4 is damaged, it would be classified as a “C3-C4 disk injury.”
Factors That Determine Your Back Injury Settlement Amount
Back injuries don’t usually only target the bones–soft tissue is frequently damaged as well. In more serious cases, a back injury can ruin a victim’s quality of life entirely. Given how much pain and suffering this involves, you have the right to be fairly compensated if you’ve been hurt in an accident through no fault of your own. That said, the amount you might receive from a car accident claim settlement varies depending on various factors, such as where the accident took place and what led up to it. The following are some common types of losses that can be recovered after being injured in a car crash:
- Medical expenses
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and physical suffering
- Lost wages
- Car repair expenses
- Permanent/partial disability (depending on the severity of your accident)
What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement for a Neck or Back Injury?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how much your back injury settlement from a car accident will be. Several factors influence this number, including the severity of your condition, evidence in your case, and other unique circumstances. That said, settlements for back injuries sustained in car accidents typically fall somewhere between $10,000 and $100,000. The following elements can also impact the amount you receive:
- 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 the Law Offices of J. Robert Davis, our personal injury attorney’s major objective is simple: to ensure that you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve following a serious back injury in Texas. The insurance carrier’s aim couldn’t be more different: they want to minimize your payment as much as possible. Contact our office today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help rid the stress from you and your family.
Common Back Injuries From Car Accidents
Sprains and strains are the most prevalent types of lower back and middle back ailments, but car accident victims may also suffer from other more frequent injuries, such as:
- Herniated Disc – A herniated disc happens when the supportive discs in the spine slip out of place, fracture, or rupture. Usually, this is caused by a single severe blow.
- Fractures – When the bones in your spine break from being compressed during a car accident, it is less common but can be deadly. You may need surgery and metal hardware to fix the vertebrae.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – A collision can damage or bruise the spinal cord because of the immense force. However, a spinal cord injury is not common as As a result of a typical car accident. Herniated discs are one of the most frequent forms of back pain and cause irritation to the spinal cord in about 90% of cases. These injuries usually require comprehensive care for recovery.
New Statistics on Neck and Back Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents
According to 2019 estimates, 2.5 million vehicle accident injuries occurred in the United States. Out of those accidents, 20% resulted in a neck and back injury–that’s 500,000 people!
In 2017, there were over 6 million vehicle accidents in the United States according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These accidents resulted in 2,734,000 injuries and 37,133 fatalities. Approximately 11% of automobile accident victims incurred some sort of injury. Additionally, the NHTSA found that about 27% of individuals hurt in automobile accidents had neck and back injuries. These types of injuries are expected to cost the economy $18.6 billion each year in medical expenses and lost productivity.
Contact Our Texas Car Accident Lawyer Today
Being injured in a car accident is never ideal, and if you’re like most people, you probably have a lot of questions. You may be wondering about the average settlement for a back injury, for example. Back injuries are unfortunately quite common after auto accidents, but the Law Offices of J. Robert Davis will make sure that you receive the maximum compensation possible. We understand what it takes to hold negligent parties accountable, and we’ll fight tooth and nail to get you the restitution you deserve. So please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today for a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you.