What is the average back injury settlement?

You recently got into an accident that wasn’t your fault, and now you’re facing high medical bills. Additionally, you’ve had to take off work to go to appointments. You could have to pay the bills to fix your car repairs as well.

You didn’t deserve this. It just isn’t fair. But unfortunately, accidents happen. Maybe the driver was distracted or there was a large pothole in the road and to avoid hitting it, they swerved into you. Perhaps you slipped and fell at a local business because the floor was wet and somebody forgot to put up a precautionary sign.

No matter what the reason, there is hope: You could be entitled to a settlement to cover your damages and get the average back injury settlement you need – or perhaps even a higher amount.

Common Back Injuries  

There are certain types of back injuries that typically occur in an accident. They include the following:

• Whiplash (since your neck and back are connected)
• Herniated disc
• Spinal fracture
• Spinal cord injuries
• Spinal stenosis

These injuries range from minor to severe and can cost thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Some may take a few weeks to heal, while others will never heal. A few injuries could require simple physical therapy and massage, while others might require multiple surgeries.

For instance, you could treat whiplash by applying ice packs or heating pads, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, or getting a massage. On the other hand, you may have to undergo extensive surgeries to treat your spinal cord injury, and you might need to invest in medical equipment for the rest of your life.

While having whiplash may not require you to take off work, a spinal cord injury could put you out of work for a much longer amount of time or perhaps even forever. You would not only lose your current income but future income earning potential as well.

There’s no way to predict what your settlement is going to be, but your personal injury lawyer will be able to tell you what you could claim for damages. You could also do your research and look into Personal Injury Legal Definitions and Terms on Haug Law Group’s website for more information.

The Average Back Injury Settlement

The average amount of a back injury settlement is going to depend on the severity of your injuries. When calculating your possible damages, your personal injury lawyer will take into consideration factors like: 

• Current and future medical costs
• Loss of companionship as well as enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of earning capacity, including a regular salary and bonuses

While tallying up medical bills is simple, determining how much your pain and suffering is worth is more difficult. An experienced lawyer will be able to come up with a number and fight for the settlement you deserve.

What To Do After an Accident

If you get into an accident, the first thing to do is call the police to file a report. If you slipped and fell, let the store or property owner know what happened and file an official report with them.

Then, stick around the scene and take pictures of the environment as well as your injuries and damage to your belongings. If you’re involved in a car accident, take photographs of the defendant’s car and license plate as well. Collect their contact and insurance information, too.

If the person who was responsible for your back injury tries to give you money to keep you from calling the insurance company, do not accept it. It’s not going to be enough and if you accept it you may not be able to pursue a larger settlement down the line.

While you’re still on the scene, you should also collect witness statements from people who saw what happened, as well as note the locations of any surveillance or traffic cameras.

Next, you need to head to a hospital. This is a crucial step. Get a full checkup and X-rays taken, and follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Go to appointments and take medication as prescribed.

If you got into a car accident, let your insurance company know what happened. If the defendant’s insurance company calls you and offers you a settlement, do not accept it. Also, don’t tell them too many details about the case. They could use your statement against you to get out of a settlement offer.

Even if the settlement seems like a lot, you don’t know how high your medical bills are going to be after you’ve completed treatment. What the insurance company offers is not going to be enough because they are notorious for very low offers. Your personal injury lawyer will have a much better chance of getting you the compensation you need.

And don’t worry – rarely do these cases go to court. Most of the time, defendants settle to avoid litigation. If they don’t, and you have to end up going to court, you can rest assured that your lawyer will be by your side throughout the entire process.

Contacting a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you hurt your back in an accident, now is the time to call a personal injury lawyer like Haug Law Group. We will get you the compensation you need so you can focus on getting better and moving forward with your life. Contact us today for help.