Getting in a car accident is a pain in the neck for anyone, but when it actually leaves you with lasting back or neck pain, it’s even worse. If you’ve been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may well be entitled to make a personal injury claim in relation to your car accident.
A number of factors can affect the amount of whiplash and back injury compensation payout you are entitled to following a car accident. The sorts of things that decide your level of car accident compensation include how serious your injuries are, as well as any loss of earnings or out-of-pocket expenses that you have suffered as a result of your whiplash and/or back pain.
How do I know if I can make a car accident injury claim?
We appreciate that looking into legal claims straight after a car injury can be a stressful and uncertain time, so we’re here to provide helpful advice on personal injury claims as a result of a car accident.
First, it’s important to note that many people do not suffer from any symptoms straight away. It often takes days, or even weeks, for whiplash or back pain symptoms to show or have an impact on your day-to-day life. Sometimes symptoms can go unnoticed or don’t seem directly connected to the accident.
That is why it’s really important that you see a doctor straight after a car accident, regardless of whether or not you are feeling well. Watch out for recurring or increasing headaches, neck and back pain, abdominal swelling, emotional pain, nightmares, or PTSD.
Injuring your back and neck in a car accident is distressing for several reasons. These injuries, no matter how minor, can affect everyday tasks in your life. If you were either the passenger or the driver in a car accident, and you feel the accident was not your fault, you are entitled to claim compensation for your injuries from the party which caused the accident.
Can I receive car crash compensation if a friend or relative was driving?
You may be thinking that it’s one thing to claim for car injury compensation against a random motorist, but a heck of a lot more awkward if the driver responsible for causing you an injury is a friend or relative. We totally understand that many people would be hesitant to claim compensation if they worried that a person they know will have to cover all costs.
That’s why it’s really important that you understand that’s not how a car accident injury claim works.
Any claim is against their insurer and any compensation payout would also come from the insurer. If the responsible party is uninsured, your compensation will be paid by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). So you’re not putting a friend or relative in any financial trouble by making a legitimate claim.
After being in a car accident, the first step is to contact us for a free, no–obligation consultation. As soon as we’ve got the details of the accident and your injuries, we will confirm whether you’re entitled to a whiplash claim pay-out.
What is the average claim for whiplash?
Ok, so now is the time to talk actual amounts. The most common type of injury in a car accident is whiplash, which means you’ve damaged the soft tissue in your neck. Whiplash is caused by a sudden movement, which can often occur during a car accident. Other common injuries include fractures to the bones in the neck.
Injuries to the lower and mid-back are quite common in car accidents. Again, this is due to the violent impact that takes place. So, how much compensation can you claim for a whiplash injury? This is very much dependent upon the extent of your injury, but we can offer estimates on various car injury payouts:
- Whiplash injuries with complete recovery taking between a few weeks and a year – up to £2,850
- Whiplash type injuries with complete recovery within 2 years – up to £5,150
- Moderate neck injury – such as severe whiplash or wrenching injury – up to £16,400
- Fractures or dislocations necessitating spinal fusion – up to £21,600
- Claim for ruptured tendons leading to permanent disability – up to £36,000
These figures are only guidelines; they’re based on the average compensation for soft tissue injuries. We can offer more specific details on the average payout for whiplash of your degree after further discussion.
What is the average car accident compensation for a back injury?
This is similar to whiplash injuries, in that it is very much dependent on the exact back injuries suffered. There are several factors that could affect the claim value including your lifestyle and how long you’ve been off work. Average levels of compensation for a back injury after a car accident are:
- £750 to £2,500 for a full recovery within 1 year
- £2,400 to £4,250 if you make a full recovery within 2 years
- £4,250 to £7,750 for slow recovery of more than minor symptoms with pain for a number of years
- £7,750 to £13,750 for permanent symptoms
Neck and back injuries, such as lower back whiplash, are often interlinked so it’s best to contact your solicitor to find out exactly what you are entitled to claim for. Again, make sure you see a doctor to discuss what to do for whiplash after a car accident, and see a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible after an accident.
You can also use our soft tissue injury compensation calculator which has been created to estimate how much car crash compensation you may be able to claim for, based on the injuries you suffered.
How to make a personal injury claim after a car accident
We hope that this short guide on the average payout for a car accident injury in relation to whiplash and back injury compensation has been helpful. We appreciate suffering such an injury is a traumatic time for anyone and that you’ll just want straightforward and honest advice on the likelihood of a successful claim.
If that’s the case, you should contact Watermans Solicitors, as our team are not only experts in personal injury claims, we’re also available evenings and weekends when most solicitors have clocked off.
After obtaining medical reports on your whiplash or back pain, our solicitors will be able to assess more accurately the value of your injuries. We will also be able to help you find the best medical care and physiotherapy available, so that you can get back on your feet as quickly as possible.
If you’re worried about medical expenses, don’t be. The costs of any medical treatments will be recovered from the insurance of the at-fault party, so you don’t end up out of pocket.
Speak to us today and we’ll take a look at your potential car accident injury claim and do our best to get you the compensation you deserve.