In 2020, the number of passenger cars involved in traffic crashes in the United States was nearly 4.7 million. Meanwhile, accidents involving light trucks followed at 3.8 million.
If you get injured in such crashes, you should know the costs of medical treatment and property damages. Pursuing a personal injury case, such as one for neck and back injury, can help you receive a settlement.
How much is the estimated settlement you may receive for a back and neck injury from a vehicular accident in the U.S.? What are the average settlement amounts for such injuries per state? Can your insurance company cover your personal injury costs?
This article covers these questions and discusses how to prove back and neck injuries in settlement cases. This article also discusses the common symptoms of these injuries and how a personal injury attorney can help with your case.
Personal Injury Lawyers is your go-to website when searching for an experienced lawyer specializing in injury cases. Search by state or practice area to narrow your results and find a lawyer that fits your legal needs.
How Much Is the Average Settlement for a Back and Neck Injury?
Determining the average settlement for car accident back and neck injuries can be complex because every case is unique. The injury’s severity can significantly affect the amount awarded in damages.
If you are in the U.S., your state can be a factor. State laws often vary significantly. For example, states with a broad definition of pain and suffering can have higher average settlement amounts than others.
When you consider these factors, your median settlement for a neck and back injury can be anywhere between $100,000 and $500,000.
Average Settlement Factors
Each motor vehicle accident occurs differently. Determining an average settlement amount can be challenging. If you figure in an accident, your injuries, lifestyle, and incident circumstances can affect how much you receive.
The following sections discuss the factors determining your settlement amount.
The Severity of the Injuries
The severity and nature of your injuries are critical factors in an injury settlement negotiation. If you have a severe injury, you may receive a more considerable compensation than someone with a lighter one.
Other essential factors include whether the injuries are permanent or temporary and how long the recovery will take. For example, accidents resulting in permanent disability or chronic pain may lead to a larger settlement.
How the Injuries Can Affect Your Income and Job
Injuries can impede your ability to earn money and harm your family’s financial health. You can lose wages due to taking time off work to recover or for medical appointments.
Furthermore, you may need help to function or perform daily tasks. The injury can also keep you from returning to your job or continue working in your chosen career.
Paying the Bills
After a car crash, you can undergo hospitalization or surgery or have many doctors and other medical appointments. Medical expenses can be very costly and long term.
Aside from medical costs, your regular bills can pile up. Therefore, keeping a detailed record of your accounts to support your claim is vital.
Pain and Suffering
Several injury settlement factors, such as bills or lost income, are easily quantifiable. However, pain and suffering are subjective. Therefore, it is more challenging to place a dollar value on them.
Pain and suffering can be mental and physical in nature. Consider keeping a journal of your recovery to have a detailed account of your experience.
Neck and Back Injury Settlement Amounts per State
Various states can significantly differ in their average payouts. The sections below show average settlement amounts per state as of November 2023.
Alabama
In Alabama, the average payouts for neck injuries based on car accident cases are as follows:
- Minor neck injury: $8,412
- Moderate neck injury: $41,000
- Severe neck injury: $302,000
One case involved a plaintiff who figured in a semitruck collision resulting in nerve damage and a herniated disc and received $760,000.
A herniated or slipped disc is when all or part of a disc gets forced through a weakened part of the spine. This injury can put pressure on the spinal cord or surrounding nerves and result in pain.
Alaska
Alaska’s neck and back injury settlement amounts average about $572,418. One of the highest payouts recorded was a $1.9 million verdict awarded to a 25-year-old man injured in a T-bone car accident and required disc replacement surgery due to his injury.
A T-bone accident is when the front of a vehicle hits the side of another, forming a “T” at the impact point.
Arizona
In Arizona, the average settlement amount is $1,377,833.
The highest recorded award was approximately $7.4 million for an accident involving a motorcyclist and a semitruck. The semi driver took a negligent left turn before the victim’s motorcycle, resulting in the latter sustaining a spinal cord injury.
Arkansas
Average payouts for neck and back injuries in Arkansas are as follows:
- Minor neck-back injury: $6,355
- Moderate neck-back injury: $39,700
- Severe neck–back injury: $634,000
In one case involving severe injury resulting in quadriplegia, the plaintiff received a $3,150,000 settlement. Quadriplegia is a paralysis symptom affecting an individual’s limbs and body from the neck down.
California
The average back and neck injury settlements for car accidents in California had the following ranges:
- Minor: Approximately $15,000 to $50,000
- Moderate: Approximately $50,000 to $150,000
- Severe: Approximately $150,000 to $1,000,000 up
One case involved a $2,900,000 settlement for a collision causing neck and back injuries and a traumatic brain injury.
Colorado
Colorado’s average settlement amount is among the lowest for U.S. cases. The state’s average payout for neck and back injuries is $179,267. The highest amount was $450,000, awarded to a plaintiff who suffered a back injury after a truck accident.
Connecticut
Connecticut’s average settlement amount for neck and back injury is $230,344. One of the cases involved a $410,000 settlement for a woman who received a back injury from a head-on collision while driving her car.
Delaware
The average settlement amount in Delaware is $350,787. One of the highest payouts was a $3.2 million settlement for a plaintiff who suffered neck and lower back injuries from a multi-vehicle accident.
Florida
The average payout for neck and back injuries in Florida is $965,562. One of the notable settlement amounts was $8 million paid out to a plaintiff who suffered a broken neck from being rear-ended by a garbage truck.
Georgia
Average settlement amounts for some of the most common car accident injuries in Georgia are as follows:
- Whiplash and minor soft-tissue injury: $2,500 to $20,000
- Moderate neck or back injury: $30,000 to $100,000
- Severe back injury: $100,000 up
- Paralysis or spinal cord injury: $1,000,000 up
A whiplash injury is due to a forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. This movement often happens due to rear-end car accidents.
Hawaii
In Hawaii, the average settlements for neck and back injuries caused by car accidents include the following:
- Minor neck-back injury: $6,941
- Moderate neck-back injury: $30,224
- Severe neck–back injury: $379,162
One case of rear-end collision resulting in soft tissue neck and back injuries had a settlement of $595.
Idaho
The average neck and back injury payout in Idaho is $740,750.
One of the largest settlements in the state was $3 million paid to a victim. They suffered a spinal cord injury while riding a truck as a passenger. The driver lost control of the vehicle while evading the police during a traffic stop.
Illinois
The average payout for a back or neck injury in Illinois is $651,081. One of the highest amounts paid was $1.4 million. In this case, the plaintiff required back surgery after getting rear-ended by a truck.
Indiana
Indiana’s average settlement value is $451,467. Among the largest payouts for neck and back injury in the state was $1.35 million due to a slip-and-fall injury after a mechanic suffered a permanent neck injury.
A slip and fall occurs when a person stumbles or loses traction, causing them to fall to the ground.
Iowa
In Iowa, average settlements for neck and back injuries are the following:
- Minor neck-back injury: $6,160
- Moderate neck-back injury: $33,150
- Severe neck–back injury: $203,700
One case involved a plaintiff claiming permanent back injuries due to a side-impact accident. The victim received $13,628.50 in damages.
Kansas
The payouts for neck and back injury claims in Kansas have the following average figures:
- Minor neck-back injury: $6,719
- Moderate neck-back injury: $27,569
- Severe neck–back injury: $343,820
A hit-and-run incident occurs when a person involved in a vehicular accident illegally leaves the scene. This situation can happen in any of the following scenarios:
- Two drivers collide
- A driver hits an unoccupied structure or vehicle
- A driver hits a pedestrian or motorcycle
Kentucky
Kentucky’s average settlement for back and neck injuries is $365,733. Among the largest payouts in the state was a $2.1 million settlement paid to a man with a spinal cord injury in a car accident.
Louisiana
Average payouts from Louisiana car accident lawsuits involving neck and back injuries are as follows:
- Minor neck-back injury: $6,961
- Moderate neck-back injury: $21,924
- Severe neck–back injury: $131,292
Maine
In Maine, neck and back injuries have an average settlement of $242,567. One of the highest payouts in this state was $600,000 paid to a nurse who needed spinal surgery after a vehicle struck her car.
Maryland
Maryland’s neck and back injury cases have an average payout of $397,253. One notable case involved a settlement amounting to $1.7 million. A jury verdict awarded this amount to a plaintiff requiring back surgery due to injuries.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, the average settlement amount is $171,883. In one case, a plaintiff who suffered a herniated and degenerative disc in their neck that required cervical fusion surgery received a $475,000 settlement.
A cervical spinal fusion surgery involves joining two or more neck vertebrae to help stabilize the neck.
Many car accident settlements in this state range from $75,000 to $475,000.
Michigan
In Michigan, payouts for back and neck injuries have an average of around $462,900. One of the largest settlements was a $1.5 million arbitration award received by a mentally disabled victim involved in a bus accident.
Minnesota
Neck and back injuries from car accidents in Minnesota have the following average settlement amounts:
- Minor injury: $5,275
- Moderate injury: $48,368
- Severe injury: $314,487
One notable vehicle accident in Minnesota resulted in the awarding of $12,750 to the plaintiff for the aggravation of their existing low back and neck condition.
Mississippi
Average payouts for neck and back injuries in Mississippi are as follows:
- Minor injury: $7,090
- Moderate injury: $39,164
- Severe injury: $150,000
In one case involving car accidents resulting in neck and back strains, the jury favored the plaintiff and awarded the victim $16,500.
Missouri
The average settlement in Missouri for back and neck injuries is around $556,241.
One of the most significant amounts paid was nearly $1.8 million for an accident victim requiring back surgery after a bus struck the rear end of a truck.
Montana
Among the common injuries suffered from motor vehicles in Montana are neck and back injuries. Some of the claims for such cases have the following average settlement amounts:
- Minor injury: $4,406
- Moderate injury: $38,501
- Severe injury: $233,986
Nebraska
Nebraska’s neck and back injury settlement averages about $802,325. In one particular case, a plaintiff suffering from a spinal cord injury from a distracted driving accident received a $6.7 million award.
Nevada
Nevada’s average settlement amount is about $1.8 million. One of the highest recorded settlement amounts in the state was a $4 million payout for a driver requiring spinal surgery resulting from a car accident.
New Hampshire
Average payouts for neck and back injuries in New Hampshire are as follows:
- Minor injury: $9,776
- Moderate injury: $53,130
- Severe injury: $304,440
New Jersey
In New Jersey, common injuries from car accidents include neck, back, and head injuries. Average payouts for these injuries are as follows:
- Minor neck and back injury: $12,321
- Moderate neck and back injury: $42,958
- Severe neck and back injury: $138,840
- Minor head injury: $1,000
- Moderate head injury: $27,750
- Severe head injury: $1,412,500
New Mexico
New Mexico’s average payout for neck and back injury cases is $798,889. One of the largest settlements in the state was $1.5 million awarded to a plaintiff with injuries to the arms, legs, back, and hips in a car crash involving a teenage driver.
New York
New York has among the highest reported average settlement amounts among other states for neck and back injuries. The average payout is approximately $8.6 million.
Among the most significant amounts settled in the state was a $71 million verdict in 2017 for a 19-year-old woman injured in a car accident, which left her with a fractured lumbar spine.
North Carolina
Average settlements in North Carolina can vary depending on the category of back and neck injuries, from minor to severe. These averages include the following:
- Minor injury: $7,248
- Moderate injury: $23,220
- Severe injury: $551,808
North Dakota
In North Dakota, neck and back injury cases have an average settlement of $305,267.
One settlement had a recorded payout of nearly $2.4 million paid to a plaintiff who had lung, rib, and back injuries after getting rear-ended by another vehicle on the highway.
Ohio
Settlement amounts in Ohio for neck and back injuries due to car accidents have an average of $5,747 for minor injuries, $20,289 for moderate injuries, and $410,548 for severe injuries.
Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, back and neck injuries from car accidents have the following average payouts made through jury awards or out-of-court insurance settlements:
- Minor injury: $6,882
- Moderate injury: $35,861
- Severe injury: $640,696
Oregon
In 2020, Oregon had more than 38,000 crashes and nearly 28,000 injuries due to traffic crashes. Some of the injuries include neck and back injuries. The average settlements for such cases include the following:
- Minor injury: $5,971
- Moderate injury: $33,996
- Severe injury: $373,940
Pennsylvania
Average settlements in Pennsylvania for neck and back injuries are around $373,000. One of the largest reported settlements was $1 million awarded to a car driver rear-ended by a distracted semitruck driver.
Rhode Island
Neck and back injuries from car crashes in Rhode Island have average settlements amounting to $6,101 for minor injuries, $20,906 for moderate injuries, and $396,449 for severe injuries.
South Carolina
South Carolina has an average payout of $796,214 for neck and back injuries. One notable case involved a man needing neck surgery after a drunk construction company driver rear-ended him. The victim received a $3.6 million settlement.
South Dakota
In South Dakota, average settlements for back and neck injuries are $5,590 for minor cases, $41,059 for moderate cases, and $235,006 for severe injuries.
Tennessee
Average settlement amounts for vehicle accident-related neck and back injuries in Tennessee are as follows:
- Minor injury: $6,760
- Moderate injury: $33,407
- Severe injury: 288,971
Texas
The average settlement for a back and neck injury in Texas is $503,648. One of the largest payouts was a nearly $2.1 million case involving a woman injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle. Her injuries required her to undergo multiple back surgeries.
Utah
Many auto accident victims in Utah often sustain multiple injuries to various body parts, including the back and neck. Average settlements for such injuries include the following:
- Minor injury: $6,772
- Moderate injury: $29,521
- Severe injury: $180,209
Vermont
Vermont has an average neck injury settlement of about $904,250. One notable case was a $2 million settlement where the plaintiff got involved in a car accident that led to a spinal fracture.
Washington
Some car accident victims in Washington received an average of $6,627 for minor neck and back injuries, $25,181 for moderate injuries, and $489,887 for severe injuries.
Virginia
In Virginia, the average settlement amount is around $2 million. One of the highest payouts in the state was a $2.4 million award for a 72-year-old woman sustaining spinal injuries after a slip-and-fall accident on a public sidewalk.
West Virginia
The average payout for a neck and back injury in West Virginia is $440,778. One notable settlement was a $2 million payout to a driver who suffered a back injury due to a rear-end collision.
Wisconsin
Average settlements for car accident-related neck and back injuries are as follows:
- Minor injury: $6,135
- Moderate injury: $23,330
- Severe injury: $148,439
Wyoming
In Wyoming, the average settlement amount is around $1.1 million. One notable record in the state was a $3.5 million payment for a driver struck by a commercial vehicle that caused severe injuries to the spine.
Why Do Car Accident Settlements Vary So Much?
A car accident settlement’s value can vary by state and the following considerations:
- The severity of the injury
- The number of medical bills incurred
- The negligence of each party involved
What Is the Average Settlement Amount for Minor Injuries?
The average settlement for minor injuries depends on the state or city where these car accidents occur. For example, minor neck and back injuries in California average between $15,000 and $50,000.
What Compensation Might You Recover?
If you are an injured victim in a car accident, you may receive compensation based on the following:
- Medical expenses arising from your accident, including past and future costs
- Lost income or wages
- Future earnings loss
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Adaptive equipment and home remodeling
- Long-term care
- Permanent disability
- Companionship loss
- Punitive damages (legal compensation a defendant must pay as punishment)
Seeking a Settlement
When you experience adverse physical and mental effects due to a crash, you may become willing to accept any offer from the insurance company.
However, some companies may not pay enough for your car accident claim. In this case, you need someone, such as a car accident lawyer, to negotiate a settlement and who can understand your jurisdiction’s vehicle accident lawsuit process.
Pursuing an Injury Settlement After a Neck or Back Injury
Back and neck injuries can be painful. They can also require extensive medical treatment and pain medication. Furthermore, they can cause long-term neck or back pain after the initial injury.
In this case, pursuing a settlement can help you seek legal claims against the party responsible for your injuries.
To do so, consider working with a skilled personal injury attorney. Some law firms offer free consultation and can agree to represent you by guaranteeing no fees until they secure a settlement for you.
What Neck and Back Injury Settlement Damages Can You Request?
Suppose you are a vehicular accident victim suffering back or neck injury. Ask a car accident lawyer who can help you pursue any of the following damages:
- Present, past, and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation costs
- Long-term care
- Companionship loss
- Permanent disability
Dealing With a Lowball Settlement Offer
A lowball settlement is when an insurance company offers a low amount for a claim you need to secure fair compensation for damages, such as medical bills and lost wages.
If you receive a lowball offer, consider working with an injury attorney. Plaintiffs who work with lawyers are more likely to receive more substantial settlements.
Your personal injury attorney can evaluate your injuries’ value and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Lawyers are often successful at negotiating higher settlements without going to a trial. Even if there is a trial, a lawyer can prepare for it if necessary.
Factors Affecting Your Back or Neck Injury Settlement
Some of the factors that can affect how much you can receive from a back or neck injury settlement are as follows:
- The nature and severity of your injury
- Your liability
- The other driver’s liability
- Insurance policy limits
- Your lawyer’s negotiating ability
Other factors that can determine your settlement are discussed in the following sections.
Statute of Limitations or Legal Time Limits
A statute of limitations specifies the maximum time to file a lawsuit after an injury. The statute can vary by state and depending on the claim. For example, New York’s statute of limitations for personal injuries is three years.
Insurance Policy Limits
Another significant factor determining how much payout you can receive after a back or neck injury is the at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits.
You can only recover up to the policy’s maximum limit unless you directly sue the defendant or file a claim against another party. A lawyer can help determine which parties are liable to maximize your compensation.
“Will the Car Accident Settlement Decrease if I’m Partially at Fault?”
A settlement reduction is possible if you contributed to the accident. Some states can also bar you from recovering anything. If you are the plaintiff, the amount you receive can depend on the following factors:
- Pure comparative negligence: Your percentage of fault can reduce the compensation.
- Contributory negligence: You may receive nothing if you are at fault by a specific percentage.
- Modified comparative negligence: You may recover nothing if your percentage of fault is more than half.
What Is a Back and Neck Injury Case Worth?
Generally, you may receive a higher amount of compensation the more your injury costs to treat and the more likely that injury will impact your life.
For example, whiplash has a relatively inexpensive treatment and may heal within a few weeks. If the damage is primarily to tendons and soft tissue, the amount may be below $10,000. If you require physical therapy, the amount can double or triple.
Suppose you need more medical care or have other tendon or tissue damage limiting your capacity to live your life like before. You may receive compensation between $10,000 and $100,000.
For more severe injuries, like spinal cord damage, you may receive a payout in the hundred-thousands or millions of dollars.
How to Determine the Pain and Suffering Value in a Neck and Back Injury
You can consider suffering and pain as non-economic damages. However, the only way a civil court can award settlements for these damages is by assigning a value using the following factors:
- How your state defines pain and suffering, including putting a cap on non-economic damages
- The extent to which you were injured
- Your long-term prognosis
- How much the judge or jury empathizes with you
- Whether you have a lawyer
Neck and Back Injury Damages
When determining how much compensation you need for your injury, one thing to consider is your medical costs. However, other charges you can include in a car accident case are the following:
- Lost wages
- Long-term care or rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
Injuries Affect Your Income and Employment
Injuries can impact your income in various ways, such as your ability to perform crucial daily tasks. In some situations, you may need to hire someone to help you.
Suppose you cannot return to your current job or continue your career due to your injury. These factors can lead to a larger settlement offer.
Expenses Incurred
Expenses can quickly accumulate after a car crash. Medical treatments can be expensive, and you may spend most of your time in a hospital, visiting a doctor, or seeing your rehabilitation therapist.
Some of these expenses can continue into the future. Therefore, keeping track of your medical expenses should help provide evidence to support your claim.
Pain and Suffering
Some losses, like medical bills or lost wages, are easily quantifiable. However, suffering and pain can be challenging to determine with a dollar value.
Pain and suffering can have physical and mental effects. Consider keeping a journal to help you document the pain and suffering you experience and their impact on your life.
“Will the Insurance Company’s Coverage Affect My Personal Injury Case?”
If the motorist at fault is underinsured or uninsured and you have no alternative payout sources, you will likely get undercompensated. This scenario can happen if you suffer serious injuries and get awarded substantial compensation.
A car accident attorney can help your case by seeking alternative insurance coverage sources and recovering the maximum compensation for your injuries.
What Are the Next Steps?
After receiving the settlement for your injuries, you can use the payout in various ways, such as those discussed in the following sections.
How to Use Your Car Accident Settlement
You can pursue a broad range of medical treatments following a car accident settlement, depending on the severity of your injuries. If you prefer traditional medical care, you can use your compensation to pay for medications, physical therapy, and surgery.
Get the Most Out of Your Settlement Amount
After you accept your insurance company’s settlement, you may be unable to ask them again for more funds, especially if you run out. Ensure the money you receive from your payout can last throughout your recovery or until you find an alternative source of funds.
Why Should You Work With an Accident Lawyer to Receive a Settlement for Neck and Back Injuries
Insurance adjusters can sometimes be skeptical of your back and neck injuries. However, pain from these types of injuries can be disabling and significantly impact how you can move your body.
Consulting with a car accident injury lawyer after your car accident can help you seek compensation and protect your financial future.
What Can a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney Do for You?
A personal injury attorney can represent your legal interests during a trial or negotiation while informing you of your case’s progress.
Furthermore, time is crucial due to your state’s statute of limitations. The sooner an attorney can evaluate your case, the sooner they can offer the best actions you can take to settle your claim.
Your Advocates Against Insurance Company Tactics
When you have car accident-related injuries and want a fair settlement without the lowball treatment from insurance companies, Personal Injury Lawyers is your go-to directory for your legal needs.
Filing personal injury claims can be challenging, especially in cases where insurance companies use tactics that get you pinned for part of the blame.
Personal Injury Lawyers can help you find an attorney who can assert your claim and get you the compensation you deserve. Examples of successful settlements through a lawyer are demonstrated in the sections below.
Notable Neck and Back Injury Compensations
Working with a personal injury lawyer has helped many clients receive better payouts than what the insurance company initially offered. The following sections provide sample cases of such settlements.
Spinal Disc Injuries Yielding Significant Settlements
In one case involving spinal disc injuries, the insurance company claimed the client had preexisting back and neck issues that caused the injuries. Before the lawsuit, the company initially offered $45,000.
Despite the individual having such preexisting conditions, a personal injury attorney helped them secure a $525,000 settlement.
Substantial Recoveries for Post-accident Lumbar Injuries
This case involved a client suffering from a lower back injury due to a rear-end car accident. Treatment for this injury required surgery, but the highest payout offered was $265,000.
After the litigation, the client received a $425,000 settlement.
Settlements Prior to Trial for Motorcycle Accident Neck Injuries
In a motorcycle collision case that left the client with a damaged neck disc, the initial insurance offer before litigation was $130,000. With the help of a personal injury lawyer, the case was settled a day before the trial began. The client received $415,000.
Successful Claims for Herniated Disc Injuries Due to Rear-End Collisions
In this case, the client was rear-ended while sitting at a railroad crossing. The insurance company tried proving the client had a preexisting herniated disc, but the client had no such condition. An attorney helped secure a $380,000 settlement for the client’s back injury surgery.
How to Prove Your Neck and Back Injury
One way to prove your back and neck injury is to undergo a medical exam immediately. Accept medical attention at the accident scene and attend follow-ups with your doctor.
Whether or not you feel pain, allowing on-site medical professionals to attend to you is always a good idea.
Many back and neck problems can be seen via diagnostic imaging procedures, such as X-rays, computed tomography (C.T.) images, and magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs).
Common Signs of Back and Neck Injuries
Neck and back injuries have various symptoms that you can identify with the help of a doctor or therapist. The following sections discuss these common signs of such injuries.
Muscle Sprain or Muscle Strain
Some of the symptoms of neck sprains or strains are the following:
- Neck pain that worsens while moving, especially in the back part
- Pain that peaks one or more days after the injury rather than immediately
- Headache in the back area
- Stiffness or decreased motion of the neck
- Increased irritability, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping
- Muscle spasms and pain in the upper shoulder
- Numbness in the hand or arm
- Weakness or tingling in the arms
Soft Tissue Injuries
Injuries to soft tissues are unrelated to bones or discs and include the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Some insurance companies can downplay soft tissue injuries. However, this injury type can sometimes need surgery and almost always includes physical therapy and pain medication.
Spinal Cord Injuries
People who sustain a spinal cord injury due to a car accident can suffer from various debilitating symptoms such as strength loss, sensory problems, and the inability to move limbs. The following sections discuss some spinal cord injuries associated with car accidents.
Neck Sprain or Whiplash
Neck sprains usually occur due to a sudden impact, such as in a rear-end collision. This injury is called whiplash and can cause a stiff neck, making turning your head difficult.
Cervical Fracture
A cervical vertebrae fracture is typically called a broken neck. Such fractures usually result from high-energy trauma, such as car crashes or falls.
Spinal cord injury at the cervical spine can cause temporary or permanent body paralysis from the neck down. Sometimes, spinal cord damage can lead to death.
Herniated Discs
Typical symptoms of a herniated or slipped disc injury include the following:
- Pain on one side of the body.
- Pain while moving the neck or deep pain over or near the shoulder blade.
A slipped disc can also make you feel worsening pain in the following situations:
- After sitting or standing
- At night
- When sneezing, laughing, or coughing
- While walking several yards or bending backward
Thoracic Spine Injuries
The thoracic vertebrae are in the spine’s middle part, between the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) vertebrae. Most thoracic spine injuries are because of car accidents. Fractures in this area can cause permanent nerve damage.
Facet Joint Injuries
The facet joints between each vertebrae pair contain thin cartilage to help with movement. Without these joints, the spine can break from stress due to a car crash, resulting in any of the following:
- Facet joint fractures
- Torn cartilage between joints
- Facet joint dislocation or separation
- Inflammation (redness and swelling on the affected body part)
Lumbar Spine Injuries
A car crash can inflict a force that can damage the muscles and surrounding back tissues and cause lower back pain. Lumbar sprains are among the common soft tissue injuries that can happen after a rear-end collision.
Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis can cause difficulty walking distances and may require leaning forward to relieve lower back pressure. Symptoms of this condition include the following:
- Back pain
- Burning pain in the buttocks and down to the legs
- Cramping, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs
Disc Herniation
A herniated disc can occur anywhere in the spine but often in the lower back. This injury is also called a protruding, bulging, or ruptured disc. Disc herniation is among the common causes of lower back and leg pain.
Broken Back
A spinal fracture or broken back is an excruciating injury requiring immediate medical attention.
Many spinal fractures occur due to trauma or injury from car accidents, falls, or high-velocity impacts. Such injuries can range from mild muscle and ligament strains to severe spinal cord damage and fractures.
Symptoms of Back and Neck Injuries
As mentioned earlier, back and neck injuries can have varying symptoms depending on the injury type and whether the injury affected the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar regions of the spine.
Delayed Symptoms of Neck and Back Injuries
Some symptoms of neck and back injuries can develop over time. These delayed symptoms include the following:
- Neck, shoulder, back, or head pain or stiffness
- Headaches
- Weakness or incapacity to lift relatively light objects
- Restricted motion
- Hearing or vision changes
- Confusion, anxiety, or stress
- Tender and sore muscles
- Persistent numbness or tingling in the hands, fingers, or arms
- Pinching sensations in the shoulders, back, or neck
- Skin bruising or discoloration
- Nausea or abdominal pain
- Appetite, mood, sleeping habit, or behavior changes
When to See a Doctor After Suffering Neck and Back Injuries in a Car Accident
If you get injured in a car crash, you must seek professional help even if you think you are uninjured. Sometimes, symptoms of a severe injury can manifest days after the crash.
A doctor can perform a thorough medical assessment to determine the severity of your injuries. After seeing a doctor, consider contacting your injury attorney.
Treatment for Car Accident-Related Neck and Back Injuries
The type of medical intervention usually depends on the severity of the injury. Such treatments can range from physical therapy to surgery. Contact a doctor immediately if you get injured in an accident, such as a car crash.
What Neck and Back Injury Settlement Damages Can You Claim?
You can file various types of claims in a neck and back injury settlement, such as the following:
- Injury-related medical costs, such as hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, doctor visits, and surgical procedures
- Lost earnings
- Physical pain or emotional distress, such as depression or anxiety
- Property damage or loss of consortium (companionship)
Establishing the Severity of Your Back and Neck Injury
Suppose you suffer a severe back or neck injury from a car accident. Do not try to move yourself, and do not let others move you unless doing so is necessary for your safety.
Many neck and back injuries may not immediately appear, or you may not know the injury’s cause or extent, even if you know that you feel pain. In such cases, having a medical professional examine you immediately is vital to determine the severity of your injury.
What Are a Few Examples of Severe Neck or Back Injuries?
Examples of severe back or neck injuries are as follows:
- Broken or fractured spinal cord
- Broken neck
- Severe whiplash
- Herniated discs
- Non-healing soft tissue injuries
- Slipped or fractured vertebrae
- Severed or pinched nerves
- Concussions
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries
National Statistics on Neck and Back Injuries Due to Car Accidents
A 2020 study on traffic-related cervical spine injuries showed that U.S. hospitals encountered an average of 869,000 such injuries annually. This number included the following:
- 841,000 whiplash injuries
- 23,500 fractures
- 2,800 spinal disc injuries
- 2,800 spinal cord injuries
- 1,500 dislocations
According to one legal group’s study accessed in November 2023, the national average payout for neck and back injuries in the U.S. was $925,169.
Car Accidents
In 2021, the U.S. had an estimated 6,102,936 police-reported vehicle accidents. Of those incidents, 39,508 were fatal.
Furthermore, settlements for car accident cases resulting in neck and back injury have a national average of $834,686 as of November 2023.
18-Wheeler Accidents
The term “18-wheeler” typically refers to a semitruck and its trailer and is so-called because the truck has 18 wheels.
Settlements for neck and back injuries caused by semitruck accidents as of November 2023 averaged $1,527,215.
Slip and Fall Accidents
An article by the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), a nonprofit organization, mentioned that slips and falls account for over one million hospital emergency room visits, or about 12% of total falls.
The national average settlement amount for slips and falls is $700,687 as of November 2023.
Work-Related Accidents
According to a November 2023 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), private industry employers reported around 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2022.
Furthermore, work-related accidents resulting in neck and back injuries had a national average payout of $148,750.
Talk to an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Injuries from car accidents can significantly affect your earning capacity and quality of life. Aside from focusing on your recovery and health, you should also consider getting a fair settlement as one of your priorities.
If you are an injury victim dealing with legal details, negotiations, witness statements, and court filings, you are in better hands with a trusted personal injury attorney.
Personal Injury Lawyers is an online directory where you can search for lawyers well-versed in car crash litigations. If you want a reliable attorney-client relationship and a fair settlement, look for a skilled attorney through Personal Injury Lawyers.
FAQs
1. What should I do if I’ve received a neck or back injury in a car accident?
The first step you must do is to contact your doctor and receive medical care, even if you think your injury is not severe. You should also get an attorney who can help with the insurance claims process.
2. How much is my neck or back injury worth?
Determining how much your injury costs is impossible without the details of your accident. Consider hiring an attorney if you want to receive a relatively larger settlement than those who do not get legal help.
3. Can I only receive enough to cover my medical bills, or will I be eligible to be compensated for pain and suffering as well?
The amount you receive to cover expenses other than medical bills can vary among states. Ask your attorney to determine what the laws related to your case say in your jurisdiction.
4. What if my accident happened months ago, but I’m still suffering?
States often have a statute of limitations dictating when you can file for a settlement. If you have a past injury, contact your attorney immediately to determine whether your case can cover that period.
5. Can I estimate a car accident settlement amount?
If you want to estimate a settlement amount, you can use various methods like the multiplier or per-diem approach.
In the multiplier approach, you multiply your special damages, like lost wages and medical bills, by a specific figure, such as 1.5 or 2. You then add the amount to your general damages, such as costs for pain and suffering.
In the per-diem approach, you determine a daily compensation rate for your pain and suffering. This method depends on how many days it will take to recover from physical or emotional harm and other factors, such as lost wages due to the accident.
6. How much is a pinched nerve worth in a car accident?
A pinched nerve is a common car accident injury, and its average settlement can vary depending on several factors, such as the following:
- The severity of your injury
- How long your recovery from injuries takes
- Whether you have any ongoing pain or disability due to your injury
An individual with minor or moderate injuries involving pinched nerves may receive between $10,000 and $80,000 in damages.
7. Do epidural injections increase settlement?
If you have a disc injury claim, it is possible for epidural steroid injections to increase your payout. However, undergoing surgery will likely have a multiplier effect on the settlement value.
A lumbar epidural steroid injection contains an anti-inflammatory medicine to help manage chronic pain caused by inflammation and irritation of the spinal nerve roots in your lower back due to specific conditions or injuries.
8. What is the average settlement for claims involving degenerative disc disease?
Settlements typically depend on unique circumstances in each case, so your payout for degenerative disc disease can significantly vary. For example, several cases in Florida involving disc herniation had settlements between $500,000 and $1,575,000.
References
- Number of vehicles involved in traffic crashes in the United States in 2020
https://www.statista.com/statistics/192097/number-of-vehicles-involved-in-traffic-crashes-in-the-us/ - Herniated Disc Disorders
https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/herniated-disc-disorders - Quadriplegia
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23974-quadriplegia-tetraplegia - Whiplash
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/whiplash/symptoms-causes/syc-20378921 - What Are Punitive Damages? Purpose, Cap, Calculation, and Example
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/punitive-damages.asp - SECTION 214
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVP/214 - Neck Sprains and Strains
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/neck-sprain/ - Cervical Fracture (Broken Neck)
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/cervical-fracture-broken-neck/ - How Inflammation Affects Your Health
https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/how-inflammation-affects-your-health - Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/lumbar-spinal-stenosis - Herniated Disk in the Lower Back
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/herniated-disk-in-the-lower-back/ - Vertebrae/Spinal Fractures
https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/vertebral-fracture - Estimating the number of traffic crash-related cervical spine injuries in the United States; An analysis and comparison of national crash and hospital data
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457520300713 - Slip & Fall Quick Facts
https://nfsi.org/nfsi-research/quick-facts/ - Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22091-lumbar-epidural-steroid-injection