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Spine injuries & average settlements in Florida
Did you know that back and neck pain are two of the most common complaints from car accident victims? As an example, an estimated 90% of whiplash injuries come from rear-end impacts.
Just like most car accidents, spinal injury settlements can vary greatly and depend on the unique details surrounding your crash, the extent of your injuries, and the legal case you put together.
That said, the average back and neck injury settlement in Florida sits between $175,000 and $300,000: higher than many other types of injuries due to its severity.
Types of spinal injuries from car accidents
All spinal injuries are serious, and car accidents are one of the leading causes of back pain and spine injuries. Some of the most common injuries include:
Whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are suddenly jerked forward and backward, damaging the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It mostly affects the cervical spine (the neck area), but it can cause intense pain and difficulties for long periods of time, even years. In fact, whiplash can become permanent if not properly treated.
Soft tissue injuries. Your back has plenty of muscles and tendons that can be strained, bruised, and damaged during an accident. It will take time to heal and while you do, you may experience difficulty moving, tenderness, stiffness, or even muscle spasms.
Herniated discs. Your spine is made of discs, stacked one on top of the other. The extreme force and impact of a car accident can cause one or more discs to slip out of place. This may not cause trouble on its own, but can cause extreme pain, tingling, or numbness in the back or your extremities if the slipped disc compresses a nerve.
Fractures. A car accident can cause your vertebrae to fracture. A compression fracture, where pressure causes cracks or fissures in the spine, is the most common type of car accident fracture and requires immediate medical attention.
Spinal cord injuries. The most serious and dangerous type of spinal injury from a car accident. If the spinal cord itself is damaged, you may experience nerve damage or paralysis, including paraplegia (paralysis of the lower half of the body) or quadriplegia (paralysis from the neck down).
What to do if you’re involved in a car accident
with a spine injury
If a crash has occurred and you suspect that you, a loved one, or another victim has a spinal injury, DO NOT ATTEMPT to move. Stay as still as possible, immediately call medical attention, and wait for trained professionals to move you or the injured party to the hospital.
If you’re able, take the following steps to prepare for your case:
Collect details on the incident. Write down your account of what happened and ask any eyewitnesses to do the same. Collect the contact information of anyone else involved in the accident and take photos or videos of the scene, if possible.
Seek medical advice (and follow it carefully). You need to seek immediate attention for any injury involving the back, neck, or spine. Make sure you understand your treatment plan and follow it as closely as possible.
Keep a journal of your injury. Do particular activities cause you pain? Are you incurring bills for an unexpected expense? Keeping a journal with your pain levels, treatment progress, and medical expenses will help your lawyer build a stronger case.
Proving your spinal injury
Since Florida is a no-fault state, your first resort will be to receive compensation from your insurance company.
However, in many spinal injuries, the settlement offers from insurance companies are too low to cover present and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
That’s when a personal injury lawyer can step in to prove the extent of your injuries and fight for the compensation you deserve from the at-fault party. If necessary, we’ll call in medical experts who can speak to how the accident has impacted your life.
Why you need a lawyer for spine injuries from car accidents
Your insurance company is concerned with two things:
- Making money, and
- Limiting their liability
This means that after any accident, their main concern is settling the claim as quickly and as cheaply as possible. You may be denied a perfectly valid claim, or receive compensation that is much less than what you deserve.
An experienced automobile accident attorney will negotiate with the insurance adjuster, handle the details of your claim, and demand appropriate compensation.
Snedaker Law has experience building strong claims on our clients’ behalf. No matter your situation, we’ll work with you to prove the full extent of your spinal injuries and fight against insurance companies to get the full compensation that you deserve.
We know the ins-and-outs of personal injury settlements and will always make recommendations based on what’s in your personal best interests.
Spinal injuries are scary at best and permanently life-changing at worst. Set yourself up for the best possible care and compensation by working with a lawyer who will fight for you while you recover.
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