Recovering from a neck or back injury is hard enough without worrying about how to pay for care. Because every case is different, the average settlement for back and neck injuries varies widely—anywhere from tens of thousands to seven figures in serious cases. The amount depends on your injury, treatment, impact on your life and work, and available insurance.
The personal injury lawyers at Richmond Vona know how complex these injuries can be. From losing time at work, experiencing chronic pain, and suffering loss of enjoyment of life, we understand the impact back and neck injuries can have on your life and are committed to securing the compensation you deserve.
How Settlement Amounts for Back and Neck Injuries Can Be Complex
No two claims are alike, and outcomes reflect the specific facts, injuries, and insurance involved. Factors that can influence value include:
- The severity of the injury
- The treatment required for the injury
- The impact on a victim’s life and livelihood
- The available insurance coverage
In New York, soft tissue injuries—such as whiplash— may resolve for $10,000 to $50,000, while cases involving surgeries or permanent damage can reach well into six or seven figures. The sooner you contact an experienced personal injury lawyer after an accident, the better your position will be to maximize your recovery.
Types of Damages Available to Neck and Back Injury Victims
Back and neck injuries may arise in connection with a wide range of accidents, such as:
- Car crashes
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle collisions
- Construction accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Premises liability matters
- Slip and falls
If someone else’s carelessness or recklessness caused your neck or back injury, you may be entitled to seek both economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury claim.
“Settlements for back and neck injuries can range from tens of thousands to several million dollars, depending on the severity of the injury, the treatment required, the impact on your life, and—most importantly—the available insurance coverage. In New York, soft tissue injuries like whiplash might resolve for $10,000 to $50,000, while cases involving surgeries or permanent damage can reach well into six or seven figures. The sooner you contact us after an accident, the better positioned we are to gather the evidence and maximize your recovery.”
Economic Damages
Economic damages address the monetary losses you incurred as a result of your injuries, and can include:
- Medical expenses and future care costs
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Cost of replacement household services
- Out-of-pocket costs
Documentation—medical bills, records, pay stubs, receipts—helps prove these losses
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate an accident victim for the impact the injuries had on their daily life and livelihood. Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are subjective and often difficult to quantify.
Recoverable non-economic damages for a neck or back injury can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Physical pain
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement and impairment
- Loss of enjoyment of life
You can demonstrate non-economic damages through your testimony as the victim, medical records, and testimony from friends, family, and expert witnesses. Particularly in cases involving catastrophic injuries, non-economic damages can be substantial.
Punitive damages may be available in limited cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious. These types of damages do not compensate a victim, but rather punish the defendant for their wrongdoing.
Common Types of Back and Neck Injuries
Common types of back and neck injuries include:
- Whiplash: Whiplash occurs when a violent force or jolt strains the neck and spine.
- Neck sprain and strains: Neck sprains and strains can occur when a sudden movement or fall causes the neck to rotate in an abnormal way.
- Lower back strains and sprains: The lumbar spine, or lower back, can be strained or sprained in an accident. This can cause a restricted range of motion, radiating pain, muscle spasms, and stiffness.
- Sciatica: Sciatica is nerve pain arising from an injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve.
- Spondylolisthesis and spondylosis: Spondylosis is a stress fracture in one of the vertebrae. When the bone starts to slip out of place, it becomes spondylolisthesis.
- Cervical disc injuries: Cervical disc injuries can include herniated discs, radiculopathy, and bulging discs.
- Spinal fractures: There are several types of spinal fractures, including compression fractures, burst fractures, and chance fractures.
- Pinched nerve: A pinched nerve can occur if a substantial amount of pressure is applied to a nerve by the surrounding bones, muscles, or tendons.
- Severe spinal cord injuries: When spinal cord injuries are severe, they can lead to permanent disability and complete or partial paralysis.
What Is the Time Limit to File a Claim After a Neck and Back Injury?
You have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim for a neck or back injury. The statute of limitations to file a personal injury action in New York State is generally three years from the date of the accident. Failure to file a lawsuit by the deadline can mean you will be barred from recovering compensation for your injuries, regardless of how strong the evidence is in your case.
Even if your injuries are minor, don’t wait to take action. Contact a personal injury lawyer promptly to ensure your rights are protected and crucial evidence in your case is preserved.
Richmond Vona Settlements and Verdicts for Back and Neck Injuries
Richmond Vona has a long-standing track record of securing substantial settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients who have suffered neck and back injuries due to negligence. Some of our notable results include:
What Evidence Is Needed To Prove a Back or Neck Injury?
To be compensated for a back or neck injury in a personal injury action, you must show that the defendant was negligent. There are four elements to proving a defendant’s liability, including:
- Duty of care: You must show the defendant had a legal obligation to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances to protect you from harm. For example, a driver has a duty to operate their vehicle safely to avoid causing an accident and injuring others on the road.
- Breach: You must prove that the defendant breached their duty of care by acting carelessly or recklessly.
- Causation: The defendant’s breach of their duty of care must have directly caused your injuries.
- Damages: You must show that you suffered actual damages as a result of the defendant’s breach.
Medical records are key evidence in accident cases involving back or neck injuries. They can show the extent of the harm suffered and establish a link between the accident and the resulting injury. They can also document the medical treatment you received and your future medical needs and quantify your medical expenses.
Contact Our Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you suffered a back or neck injury in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can fight for your right to fair compensation. Contact Richmond Vona online for a free consultation or call 716-500-5678. With office locations in Buffalo, Williamsville, Niagara Falls, and Rochester, we represent clients across Western New York.
