Average Payout for Back Injury Car Accident

Back injury settlements vary widely due to the number of factors at play. For this reason, discussing an “average” payout doesn’t make much sense. Some people who suffer devastating spinal column injuries could receive $1,000,000 or more in a settlement. By contrast, someone with a back sprain could receive $10,000. Everything depends on your injury and who is responsible for your car accident.

At Jackson Law Group, we help those injured in car collisions. Below, we look at the most important factors to determine how much you get paid.

Injury Severity

Back injuries come in many shapes and sizes. We have sought settlements for those suffering from:

 

Sprain or strains

Compressed nerves

Burns

Cuts or abrasions

Spinal column injuries

Herniated discs

Spinal stenosis

Vertebral fractures

Rib fractures

Paralysis

 

Back injuries like sprains or cuts can heal on their own with conservative treatment. Other back injuries, like a spinal column injury, usually require surgery and months of rehabilitation. And still other injuries, like herniated discs, could go either way—you might improve with steroid injections and rest, or you might need to go under the knife. The more medical treatment you receive, the more compensation you can receive.

Extent of Your Losses

We generally seek compensation for:

Medical care

Lost wages

Pain and suffering

Property damage

Some back injuries will completely prevent you from working. Think of a compressed nerve which makes it impossible to sit up straight. Other injuries might cause you to miss only a little bit of work. Your lost wages make an impact on the settlement payout you receive.

Defendant’s Ability to Pay

You could suffer horrifying injuries and never be able to work again. Yet, you might only get $30,000 in compensation for a settlement. Why? Because the defendant doesn’t have the resources to pay you more.

As of 2022, Virginia only requires that motorists carry a minimum of $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage. That might represent the only pot of money available to pay out a settlement when a motorist hurts you.

Some defendants might have more assets. For example, they might have money in a bank that you can get by filing a lawsuit. However, getting paid is a challenge. Alarmingly, about 10% of Virginia motorists are uninsured, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Whether You Have Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Virginia requires that motorists have underinsured motorist coverage. This type of insurance steps in when you have uncompensated losses following an accident. It is an excellent benefit because it increases the pot of money available to pay out compensation.

For example, your back injury might have cost you $30,000 in medical care and $10,000 in lost wages. The defendant carries only the minimum bodily injury liability coverage of $30,000, so you have losses which aren’t covered. You can use your underinsured motorist insurance to receive money.

Contact Our Car Accident Attorney for Help

The Jackson Law Group understands how disabling back injuries can be. We work around the clock to seek the maximum compensation for our clients. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.