If you were injured in an Atlanta car accident, it is understandable to wonder about the average settlement for neck and back injury claims. Unfortunately, there is no way to accurately determine an average payout.
There are a few reasons why it is impossible to pinpoint the average car accident settlement amount. First and foremost, injury settlements are generally kept private. Even in cases where this information is public, there is no simple way to gather these numbers. While tracking down the average amount of these settlements might not be an option, you could learn more about the factors that determine what your own claim is worth.
Compensation That May Be Recoverable in Your Case
Though we cannot tell you the average settlement for an Atlanta car accident that results in neck and back injuries, we can tell you about the potential compensation available to you.
After looking at your case, we may find that you qualify for:
- Current and future medical costs associated with your injuries
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
For a free legal consultation, call 404-214-2001
Factors That Determine the Value of Your Back and Neck Injury Claim
Various factors determine what your injury claim is worth. These factors include:
The Severity of Your Injuries
The seriousness of your injuries is the primary factor that will determine what your settlement might be. The degree of your injuries will determine important factors, including the amount of time you miss from work, as well as the total cost of your medical expenses. The more severe your injuries, the more valuable your claim is likely to be.
For example, Pain Research and Management notes that chronic whiplash can continue for months or years after a car accident. If you have to pay for long-term rehabilitation, you will want your settlement to reflect that.
The severity of your injuries forms the baseline for your claim for compensation. The amount of your pain and suffering damages is generally tied to the significance of your medical bills, as well.
Insurance Availability
Whether or not an insurance policy will cover your claim will also play an important role. Most people without insurance lack the assets needed to pay off a substantial personal injury claim. You can still pursue them through legal action, though.
That does not mean that securing a fair settlement offer is guaranteed. Insurance companies work tirelessly to avoid responsibility for these claims and will not make a fair settlement offer out of the goodness of their heart. Ultimately, a strong case for negligence is the best way to push these insurance companies to make reasonable settlement offers.
Insurance Claims
In some cases, insurance companies will attempt to settle claims before they go to court. This is known as “pre-litigation” settlement negotiations. When this happens, you should expect to receive less money than if you went to trial.
They know that juries tend to side with victims over negligent parties. As such, they will often try to negotiate a lower settlement amount to avoid going to court. They do this by offering smaller amounts up front, then increasing the final settlement amount when they feel like you are getting too close to accepting a lowball offer.
If you accept one of these pre-litigation offers, you risk losing the right to sue later on.
Liability Disputes
Another factor that can impact your settlement options is whether or not the other driver disputes their liability for the accident. If the other driver accepts they were at fault, negotiations are generally centered on the amount of damages that are reasonable. With liability disputes, the central conflict in a claim is more likely to be whether or not there is a settlement offer.
Liability disputes can take different forms. Sometimes, the other driver is genuinely certain they were not at fault. In other cases, the other driver might refuse to accept responsibility for the accident because they lack the assets needed to resolve the claim. This type of dispute may occur if the other driver lacks liability insurance.
Obtaining an Assessment of Your Claim’s Worth
The good news is that you do not have to rely on averages or statistics to guess what your settlement might be worth. During an initial consultation with a law firm, you could obtain an evaluation of your case. Once we have investigated your accident, we can determine a fair settlement value.
It is important to remember that no attorney can promise a successful outcome for your neck or back injury claim. However, an attorney with our firm could take into account all of the factors surrounding your injury to advise you what a settlement offer might look like.
You could obtain this information free of charge. Our attorneys offer free initial consultations for individuals living with neck or back injuries they sustained in car accidents. During your consultation, we could also advise you on the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Discuss Your Neck and Back Injury Claim with Us
If you have suffered a neck or back injury in a vehicle accident through no fault of your own, your claim for compensation could be more substantial than you realize. In addition to your medical bills, you could also be entitled to recover damages related to your lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
The attorneys of Kaine Law advocate for the injured. If you are ready to seek justice following your vehicle crash, contact us today to learn more about your potential settlement for a neck and back injury claim in Atlanta.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
