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Back injuries can range from mild to severe, with serious injuries often affecting the spine. Several factors influence how much money an injured party may receive in compensation for such injury.
Spinal injuries could be minor, resulting in pain and difficulty moving around, or severe, resulting in paralysis, permanent disability, or the loss of bowel, bladder, or other organs. Those who have been in a car accident and have injured their back may be wondering what they can expect to receive in compensation.
Powell Law Firm has extensive experience in dealing with back injury cases. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to receive due compensation.
Types of Back Injury
There are several types of back injuries that occur after car accidents, here are some of the main types.
Whiplash
Whiplash is the most common injury in car accidents that causes pain and discomfort because of the sudden forward movement of the neck. Even in low-speed collisions, substantial pain and suffering are common.
Headaches, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, impaired vision, ringing in the ears, loss of strength, depression, and anguish are some of the associated symptoms. Most whiplash cases are resolved within a short and do not require a lawsuit.
Spinal Cord and Vertebral Damage
Most spinal cord injuries are caused by trauma to the vertebral column or spine. Car accidents are the leading cause of spine trauma in people under the age of 65. The spinal cord is a collection of nerves that come from the brain and travel down to their supply areas.
A severe blow to the spinal cord can disable all sensory and motor functions below the point of injury. Partial spinal cord injuries, on the other hand, only restrict function to a certain extent. Respiratory problems and loss of bladder and bowel function are two other symptoms of spinal cord injuries.
Injuries to the Intervertebral Disc
The intervertebral disc is the cartilage between each vertebra that is responsible for cushioning it to prevent any damage to the vertebrae or spinal cord due to friction. It also absorbs shock.
Some herniated intervertebral disc cases could get victims a handsome amount, especially if there are any long-term implications. Settlement amounts are also high for those who require surgery as a result of a herniated disc. However, each case is unique, so it is best to speak to an auto accident attorney in St Louis to determine how much a victim is entitled to for intervertebral disc injury.
Related Complications
Complications often arise when the spinal cord has been injured. These injuries include cardiovascular, bowel, musculature, skeletal, respiratory, and urinary complications. Spinal trauma often goes hand in hand with head and neck trauma. Injuries often depend on whether the accident was a frontal or rear-end accident.
Factors that Affect Back Injury Compensation Amounts
The severity of the accident and the extent of injury play a big part in determining the compensation a victim is entitled to. Serious spinal injuries could result in the victim being awarded millions of dollars, while cases of whiplash result in much lower settlement amounts.
Loss of income, pain and suffering, emotional and mental anguish are all considered when determining a settlement amount for those who have injured their backs in a car accident.
It is best to contact Powell Law Firm for St. Louis car accidents, as determining settlements without the help of a seasoned attorney could leave victims with lower settlement amounts than they are entitled to.
Average Compensation Amounts for Back Injuries
When calculating a claim, attorneys take into consideration both general and special damages. General damages refer to calculable expenses such as lost income (both past and present), medical bills (both past and present), and damage to the vehicle.
They also add special damages, which consider the pain and suffering of the victim and the mental anguish they experienced as a result of the accident.
The national average for back injury claims in the United States for car accidents is $834,686, while the median settlement amount is $285,000. However, for severe spinal injury, victims can expect to receive significantly higher amounts.
Contact Powell Law Firm to Determine Back Injury Payouts
At Powell Law Firm, we are dedicated to getting results for our clients. Those who have had their back injured in a car accident can approach us to determine what their car accident claim is worth.
We treat our clients with the utmost respect and care because we understand how painful back injuries can be and are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation and case review!