The average payout for a back injury in California can vary widely, from four-figure payouts to high, seven-figure settlements. The amount you could receive will depend on the severity of the injury. Since back injuries range from minor to permanently debilitating, it is important to consult with a car accident attorney to fully understand the value of your case.
Severe Back Injury Settlements in California
When it comes to personal injury claims, the more severe your injury, the greater the compensation. Certain cases can settle for several thousand dollars, while others can exceed millions of dollars, depending on the severity of your injuries. To better understand back injury settlements it is important to consider the types of back or neck injuries people usually suffer from. These injuries include:
- Whiplash: sudden stops typically cause whiplash, which is when the body and neck snap back and forth, damaging muscles, ligaments, and nerves.
- Bursitis: the bursa is a fluid-filled sac that cushions the area between bones, muscles, or tendons.
- Contusions: commonly referred to as a bruise, a contusion can occur after a blunt impact to the body. Symptoms involve pain, swelling, and discoloration.
- Spinal fracture: this injury can cause debilitating pain and in some cases cause someone to suffer limb paralysis or loss of control of basic motor functions.
- Paralysis: The spinal cord serves as the main line for our brain to control our movements. Damage to the spinal cord can paralyze limbs, muscles, and organs either temporarily or permanently. Cases of tetraplegia, quadriplegia, and paraplegia are types of paralysis that can lead to major settlement.
Regardless if your injury has extreme symptoms such as the one listed above, you can still suffer losses in the form of medical bills, lost income, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Even if you believe your injury is minor, get the legal help you need by contacting a reputable back injury attorney.
Other Factors that Affect Back Injury Settlement Amounts in California
Back injury cases often settle in the high figures since they involve injuries to the neck and spine. Injuries to the neck and spine can be severe, resulting in serious medical costs if the victim becomes disabled as a result of the injury. While the severity of your injuries will play a large role in determining your settlement amount, there are other factors that can potentially decrease or increase your settlement. These factors include:
- Your characteristics:
- Age
- Occupation
- Overall health
- Education
- Insurance policy of the liable party
- Your percentage of liability (if any) in the accident
How to Maximize Your Back Injury Settlement in California
If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident, there are certain steps you can take to help you maximize the amount you can recover. Maximizing your settlement is an essential part of recovering from your accident. After an accident, most insurance agencies will try to get you to settle for a much lower amount than your damages are worth. Insurance adjusters do not consider the long-term effects of major injuries. So, to ensure a fair settlement for your accident, it is recommended to do the following:
- Get examined by a medical professional. Suffering major injuries is not a time to act tough and attempt to “walk it off.” If you are injured, get examined by a doctor. Without a professional diagnosis, the insurance company will have just cause to assume you were never injured.
- Follow your doctor’s orders. By sticking to a treatment plan, you give yourself the best shot at a full medical recovery and show the insurance company how serious your injuries are.
- Keep and organize your receipts. Keep all documentation associated with your injury, especially documentation of your medical treatment.
- Get a quote for your vehicle damage. Reimbursement estimates for vehicle damages will be relatively low unless you provide proper documentation for what your damages are worth.
- Don’t wait to file your lawsuit. Time is limited when making an accident claim.
The Advantage of Legal Representation for a Back Injury in California
It is a proven fact that back injury victims are much more likely to receive a fair payout than those who deal directly with the insurance company without representation. Also, victims with representation have been found to receive twice as much in compensation as those who proceeded unrepresented, even after attorney’s fees.
Legal representation offers several advantages, which include:
- Identifying all liable parties: personal injuries such as back injuries typically involve a vehicle accident where multiple parties may be at fault. An attorney will investigate all responsible parties and file a personal injury lawsuit against them, maximizing your chance at full, financial recovery.
- Managing your claim with the insurance companies: insurance companies can and will attempt to get injured victims to agree to a “lowball” settlement, or get you to admit fault. Having your attorney file a lawsuit against the insurance company will let them know you’re aware of your rights and are prepared to exercise them to achieve fair compensation.
- Following proper legal procedures: An experienced back injury attorney understands the complexities of suing liable parties and the specific legal rules that must be followed. Having your lawsuit properly filed and the details of your situation perfectly outlined for the insurance adjuster will let the defense know you are aware of your rights and are prepared to exercise them.
- Preparing for litigation: An attorney will expedite the litigation process if no acceptable offer is made. They will prepare you for trial, handle all legal proceedings, and represent you in court.
- Allowing you to focus on recovery: Hiring a well-practiced attorney will allow you to recover, while they deal with the legal side of your case for you. Not only will this give you a better chance at compensation, but it will alleviate your stress and give you peace of mind while dealing with a very traumatic injury.
Contact a Back Injury Lawyer in California
If you or a loved one has suffered a back injury in California due to someone else’s careless actions, Maison Law is here to get you the compensation you need. Our team of experienced accident attorneys understands how to exercise every avenue of the law to aggressively pursue the full extent of your damages. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no hidden fees and you will not be charged a cent until we’ve won your case.
