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How Much Is a Back Injury Worth in an Accident?
Senior woman experiencing severe back pain, struggling to stand up due to chronic discomfort.

How Much Is a Back Injury Worth in an Accident?

A back injury may be worth a substantial sum in an accident claim. However, predicting an exact number without knowing the details of your situation is impossible due to the varied nature of back injuries and resulting losses.

Seeking a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney is the first step in determining the worth of your back injury in an accident. Your lawyer can help evaluate your medical expenses, identify how your injuries have affected your daily life, and fight for your legal right to fair compensation.

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation Today!

What Affects the Average Settlement for Back Injuries in  Accidents?

Every case is different. Having a lawyer calculate the estimated value of your case protects you from insurance adjusters significantly undervaluing your claim to save their company money.

These are some factors that a back injury lawyer will consider when estimating the value of your back injury claim and negotiating with insurance companies for fair compensation.

Severity and Nature of a Back Injury

Because different injuries have varying degrees of pain, rehabilitation, and recovery timelines, the type of back injury you suffer is relevant in determining the value of your case.

Types of Common Back Injuries:

  • Herniated discs
  • Fractures
  • Soft tissue (muscle and tendon strains and sprains)
  • Spinal cord injuries

The latter involves any damage to the spinal cord, and they are significant injuries resulting from various accident types. Motor vehicle accidents are a common cause, accounting for nearly half of new spinal cord injuries annually.

Severity of Pain and Suffering

Pain is a common symptom of back injuries that can affect your daily life in various ways. Sometimes, pain is debilitating, limiting or entirely restricting mobility. Suffering with constant pain can be emotionally exhausting and negatively impact your mental health.

Symptoms of Pain and Suffering:

  • Chronic neck and back pain
  • Difficulty sleeping (insomnia, achy tossing and turning, nightmares)
  • Sharp pains relating to body movements
  • Lost ability to perform physical activity pertinent to quality of life, such as bending, lifting, walking, and exercise
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

While effective treatments might help alleviate the pain of some injuries, others come with long-lasting and even permanent pain. Your pain and suffering will be a vital consideration in your attorney’s assessment of damages.

Ongoing Medical Care

Many back injuries require ongoing medical care, such as inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services and physical therapy. Your back injury lawyer should demand these costs be calculated and considered before accepting a settlement.

Lost Income and Loss of Earning Capacity

The amount of income loss you sustain relates to everything from the duration of your hospital stay to missing work because your pain renders you incapable of performing your job that day. Your back injury attorney will demand compensation for all income lost.

Lost Income Sources:

  • Wages
  • Salaries
  • Overtime
  • Commissions
  • Bonuses
  • Benefits

You can help your lawyer prove lost income by providing copies of pay stubs, employer records tracking lost time from work, and other records. An attorney can also seek compensation for lost future earning capacity if your ongoing recovery renders you unable to work moving forward.

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Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Typically, costs you sustain for your accident-related injuries should be part of your claim. You should keep a record of any expenses you incur, including:

  • Medical devices
  • Travel expenses to and from medical appointments (mileage reimbursement and parking fees)
  • Insurance deductibles and copays
  • Car rentals
  • Parking fees
  • Prescription medications
  • Childcare services (if you’re unable to care for kids and required hired childcare)
  • Household services (if you’re unable to perform household tasks and hired someone to complete them)

You may also recover medical transportation costs you acquired by using rideshare services, taxis, buses, and other public transportation to and from medical appointments.

Impact on Quality of Life

Accident-related injuries can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Negative impacts on things you previously enjoyed due to limitations, pain, and other restrictions from your accident should be considered by your attorney during negotiations with the insurance company.

Retaining an attorney immediately following the accident is advisable. As outlined above, there are multiple facets to consider in determining the financial compensation you are entitled to after suffering an injury in an accident. You should allow your back injury lawyer to get started as soon as possible.

Why Should I Hire a Back Injury Lawyer?

Judge's gavel with a team of lawyers discussing legal matters in a law firm, symbolizing law and legal services.Determining how much your back injury is worth with a skilled attorney who leverages their knowledge and experience benefits you most when maximizing your compensation. These three experience factors are the biggest reasons why you should hire a back injury lawyer.

Negotiating Experience

Lawyers are formally trained professionals who confidently negotiate cases for their clients daily. Most people are uncomfortable and out of their element when presented with a need to negotiate, such as when negotiating costs while buying a new car or with an employee regarding salary and pay raises. Hiring an attorney is worth it for their negotiation assurance and experience.

System Experience

Lawyers have experience with the often complicated insurance and legal system. They speak the language and know the laws and procedures. An experienced back injury lawyer knows the people within the system and can communicate and react effectively.

Trial Experience

Fortunately, only about three percent of personal injury claims go to trial. So, the likelihood of that being a factor in your case is minimal. However, if you find you are the statistic, having an attorney’s trial experience becomes invaluable.

How Much Do Back Injury Lawyers Cost?

Back injury attorneys typically work on contingency, meaning there are no upfront fees or out-of-pocket expenses to retain one to manage your case. It also guarantees you do not owe them anything unless they win your case.

The contingency fee—typically a percentage of final compensation that is discussed at the time of hire—will be deducted before issuing your settlement. This means you can access legal representation without any financial resources upfront.

Hire Your Back Injury Attorney Today

Seek a free consultation with a back injury lawyer to provide you with legal peace of mind concerning your accident claim while securing better chances of receiving a fair settlement now.

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation Today!

Come And Visit Our Offices

Marcus & Mack

Marcus & Mack
N/a
57 S 6th Street,
The Mitchell House

Indiana PA   15701
1216 11th Ave
Suite 219

Altoona PA   16601
108 West Beaver Avenue,
Suite 203

State College PA  16801
334 Budfield St,
#132

Johnstown PA  15904
12 West Long Ave.
Suite 203

DuBois PA  15801