What Is the Average Settlement for a Back and Neck Injury During a Car Accident in New Jersey?
If you suffer a serious injury in a car accident in New Jersey, such as one affecting your neck, back or spinal cord, it is important to understand the true value of your case. It is unwise to accept the first settlement offered to you by a car insurance company, as it will likely undervalue your losses. There is no such thing as an “average” settlement; every car accident case is unique. Make sure to speak with an experienced New Jersey car accident lawyer if you were injured.
How Much Is a Back or Neck Injury Case Worth in New Jersey?
The idea of an average settlement is a myth, as case results can vary significantly from person to person. Some car accident victims may qualify for settlements of $50,000 or less, while other cases go to trial and result in multimillion-dollar jury verdicts.
For example, a minor neck injury, such as mild whiplash, may result in $10,000 or less in damages awarded, while a severe back injury involving permanent loss of function (paralysis) could exceed $1 million.
You should never base the value of your back or neck injury claim on an alleged average. Instead, work closely with a personal injury attorney in New Jersey to accurately evaluate your case based on its unique factors.
What Factors Influence Car Accident Settlement Values?
The value of a back or neck injury claim in New Jersey will be calculated according to numerous factors that are specific to the case. This often includes:
- The severity of the injury
- The cost of medical bills
- Level of paralysis or disability, if any
- Number of defendants and the insurance coverage available
- The amount of pain and suffering
- Comparative negligence
- Punitive damages, if awarded
An insurance company will have its own way of calculating settlements compared to the values that may be assigned by the courts.
The Average Lifetime Costs of a Back or Neck Injury
A key determining factor in car accident injury settlement calculations is the seriousness of the injuries being claimed. In general, more severe injuries result in a greater amount of damages for the victim. Therefore, these cases can lead to higher settlements and verdicts.
Injuries involving the neck, back or spine can cause a significant amount of damage to a victim’s life and livelihood. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the average lifetime cost of a quadriplegic spinal cord injury at age 25 is over $6.2 million in medical care and living expenses alone. A spine injury causing motor functional disability at any level can have more than $2 million in lifetime costs.
How to Improve Your Car Accident Settlement in New Jersey
If you suffer a back or neck injury in a car crash in New Jersey, it is important to seek a full and fair amount of financial compensation from a car insurance company. If you accept a low initial settlement, you typically cannot reopen your case or renegotiate a higher value, even if you learn that your spine injuries are worse than you first thought.
Whether you can file a claim with your own insurer or have the right to bring a claim against another driver, understanding the value of your case can help you negotiate a maximum recovery. Contact an attorney to evaluate your case and take over negotiations with insurance claims adjusters for you. If necessary, a lawyer can bring your car accident case to trial in New Jersey to achieve results beyond the limits of an insurance policy.