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Whiplash injuries can range from nuisance discomfort lasting for a few days to a severely debilitating pain drawn out over several months. People who are suffering from whiplash symptoms after being involved in a car accident may be entitled to financial compensation.
Because whiplash involves soft tissue damage and ligament strain in the neck, treatments can be complicated and expensive. It can also hugely restrict a person’s mobility for the duration of the injury.
Knowing the minimum, average, and maximum payouts for this type of injury is highly beneficial should a person find themselves as a victim.
Is There a Minimum Payout for Whiplash?
The minimum payout for Whiplash is around $750, although there is no official bottom-line figure. In cases where the injury is very minor, somewhere in the region of this figure is what a claimant should expect. Minor injuries with longer-lasting pain or more complications may be awarded up to $2500.
Average Whiplash Payouts
In many whiplash cases, there is enough pain and suffering to warrant a higher settlement than the above-stated minimum. Although a sum between $750 and $2500 is the average payout for minor injuries, it is not the average overall.
All things considered, the average whiplash victim can expect to receive between $2500 and $10,000, depending on several impacting factors. If a lawyer can prove that a whiplash injury caused more than just a day or two of annoying discomfort, it is unlikely that a victim is awarded less than this.
Remember, this figure is isolated solely to whiplash- not an entire personal injury claim. In the event of an incident where further pain or injuries are suffered, a victim can claim further damages on top of this set amount for whiplash.
There is no official maximum payout in most US states for whiplash, with some cases reaching into the hundreds of thousands. Usually, this happens if there is permanent damage or side effects tied directly to the whiplash injury. These instances are rare but not unheard of.
What Factors Can Affect the Payout?
What caused the whiplash?
Usually, whiplash injuries result from car accidents. Most of the 3 million whiplash claims every year in the US come from car accident victims. The exact circumstances of the crash may affect what payout is offered.
The nature of the injury
Of course, the severity of the injury dictates how much compensation is considered. More complicated injuries require more medical attention, which in turn leads to higher doctor’s bills. Hospital expenses are usually closely linked to the severity of the injury and are often what any minimum payout is based loosely on.
How long the client has been suffering from the injury
Whiplash pain can last anywhere between a few hours to a few months, with even most of the severe cases passing in less than 13 weeks. Exactly how long a victim suffers plays a central role in deciding the final payout agreement.
How to Pursue a Whiplash Injury Claim
The only effective way to pursue a decent payout for a whiplash injury is to contact an auto accident lawyer in St Louis. Without an experienced lawyer to help navigate the specifics of a whiplash claim in the aftermath of a car accident, a victim is unlikely to file a viable claim and receive the compensation they deserve.
Usually, claiming for whiplash coincides with a broader personal injury claim, but not always. In either case, the first step is to file a suit against the negligent or liable party detailing the injury and all relevant information pertaining to the incident.
As with any car accident claim, the more details and evidence a victim can provide to pack up their story and prove the severity of their whiplash, the more chance they have of negotiating a favorable settlement.
In Summary
Hiring a car accident attorney with years of experience handling whiplash and personal injury claims is the best way to get the payout you are entitled to. At Powell Law, we do not aim for minimums- we push to the full extent of the law to make our clients whole after a traumatic incident.
If you, like millions of other Americans each year, have suffered from whiplash after a car accident, you should call us as soon as possible and let us help you recover.