Suffering a back injury in an accident can be extremely painful and disruptive to your daily life. Even if you don’t require surgery, recovering from strains, sprains, and other trauma to your back and spine can be a long process filled with medical treatment, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and missed time at work.
When another party is at fault for your accident and injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. But how much can you expect in a back injury settlement without surgery?
Getting a back injury settlement in North Carolina often involves negotiations with insurance companies. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you get the maximum settlement you deserve. Let’s take a closer look at average back injury settlements and what goes into determining your potential payout.
Average Settlement Amounts for Back Injuries Without Surgery
Back injuries can range from mild muscle strains to severe trauma like herniated discs and fractured vertebrae. The more serious the injury, the higher the settlement amount is likely to be. For moderate back injuries that don’t require surgery, average settlements tend to fall between $10,000 and $50,000.
However, every back injury case is unique. Even if you don’t need surgery, factors like the type of injury, treatment required, and impact on your work and quality of life will all affect your potential settlement.
What Impacts Your Back Injury Settlement Amount?
The value of your back injury settlement depends on the specific details of your case. Some key factors include:
- Type and severity of the injury – More serious injuries like herniated discs or spinal fractures typically result in larger settlements than minor soft tissue injuries. The more severe your injury, the higher your pain and suffering and treatment costs may be.
- Medical expenses – Bills for emergency treatment, hospitalization, medications, physical therapy, chiropractic visits, and other costs directly related to your back injury are included in a settlement. Keep good records of all accident-related medical expenses.
- Lost income – If you miss work due to your back injury, lost wages can be recouped in a settlement. Proving missed income often requires documentation from your employer.
- Loss of future earning capacity – If your injury causes permanent impairment that reduces your future earnings, this can increase your settlement value. Vocational assessments often support these claims.
- Long-term effects – Back injuries that result in chronic pain and loss of mobility can increase settlement amounts. Your doctors can provide evidence of your prognosis and likely recovery timeline.
- Liability and negligence – Clear negligence by the other party typically leads to higher settlements. Your attorney must prove the other party’s fault caused your injury.
Thoroughly documenting the impact of your back injury with medical records, income statements, vocational assessments, and other evidence helps your personal injury lawyer negotiate the maximum possible settlement from insurance companies.
Sample Settlements for Back Injury Cases Without Surgery
While average back injury settlements give a general range, looking at real-life sample cases can provide more insight into potential values. Settlement amounts vary widely based on the individual circumstances in each case. Some examples of back injury settlements reached by our firm include:
- $42,000 settlement for a herniated disc from a rear-end collision. Our client underwent epidural injections and physical therapy.
- $25,000 settlement for soft tissue back injuries. Treatment included pain medications, muscle relaxers, chiropractic care, and massage therapy.
- $17,500 settlement for back and neck strains. At-fault driver hit our client’s car in an intersection.
- $11,000 settlement for lower back sprain and contusion. Therapy and pain management provided relief.
As you can see, even similar back injuries can result in very different settlements based on factors like medical treatment, lost wages, and insurance policies. Gauging the potential value requires an in-depth evaluation of your unique case.
Common Back Injuries in Car Accident and Personal Injury Cases
Back injuries can occur in various types of accidents. Car crashes, slip and falls, workplace accidents, and other incidents often cause trauma to the spine and supporting muscles. Some of the most common back injuries seen in personal injury cases include:
- Sprains and strains – Overstretched or torn muscles and ligaments cause severe pain and stiffness. Rest, medication, and physical therapy help recovery.
- Herniated discs – Discs between vertebrae rupture or bulge, putting pressure on nerves. Treatments range from steroid injections to surgery.
- Bulging discs – Less severe than herniation, bulging discs still cause extreme discomfort. Therapy aims to strengthen core muscles.
- Spinal fractures – Broken vertebrae require immobilization in a back brace during healing. Surgery may be necessary in some cases.
- Spinal cord injuries – Damage to the spinal cord nerves can result in partial or total paralysis and loss of sensation. These catastrophic injuries have potentially huge settlements.
- Soft tissue injuries – Whiplash, contusions, and muscle tears cause lingering pain. Medication, massage, rest, and exercise help relieve symptoms.
Getting prompt medical diagnosis and treatment is crucial, both for recovery and documenting your injuries for an insurance claim. Always consult an experienced back injury lawyer regarding your settlement options.
Statute of Limitations for Filing a Back Injury Claim in North Carolina
If you want to seek compensation for a back injury caused by someone else, it’s important to act quickly. In North Carolina, you normally have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This cutoff is known as the statute of limitations.
Failing to file a claim within the time limit means forfeiting your right to recover damages, even if the other party clearly caused your accident and injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can help determine deadlines and handle claim details, allowing you to focus on recovery.
Some exceptions exist that could extend the statute of limitations, such as:
- Being under 18 years old at the time of injury
- Incapacitation due to injury
- Discovery of injury occurring years later, as with some illnesses
But in most back injury cases caused by an accident, you have a three-year window to pursue compensation. Consult our lawyers as soon as possible so we can promptly notify insurance companies and work to get you a fair settlement.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Get You the Back Injury Settlement You Deserve
Getting fair compensation for your back injury often requires going up against insurance company attorneys who want to minimize payouts. Having an assertive lawyer on your side levels the playing field.
The attorneys at Donaldson Law in Wilmington, NC, have a proven record of maximizing settlements for injured clients. Their team offers free case evaluations, so you have nothing to lose by contacting them to discuss your potential back injury settlement.
With an attorney handling the legal and negotiation details, you can devote your time and energy to healing. Don’t wait to get advice on seeking damages – the sooner you consult a personal injury lawyer, the better your chances of a favorable settlement.
