What Is the Average Settlement Value for a Car Accident Cervical Spine Injury?
Cervical spine injuries can have devastating impacts on victims, and not just physically. These injuries can also have significant emotional and financial effects on victims. A cervical spine injury occurs when the top part of the spinal cord, or cervical vertebrae, suffers trauma. Cervical spine injuries are typically the most severe type of spinal cord injuries. These injuries can cause several complications. After a car accident, most complications associated with a cervical spine injury become apparent within one to three days. Common physical effects of cervical spine injuries include lack of hand-eye coordination, neck or shoulder pain, paralysis, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the feet, hands, and legs.
If you’ve suffered a cervical spine injury in a Florida car accident because of the negligence of another party, you have the right to file a claim and pursue compensation. A common question people ask is how much their cervical spine injury claim is worth. In other words, “What is the average settlement value for a car accident cervical spine injury?” Several factors can affect the value of a cervical spine injury claim, meaning there isn’t an average settlement for cervical spine injury claims. The value of your claim will depend on the specific factors surrounding your case.
Factors That Can Influence the Value of Your Cervical Spine Injury Claim
After a car accident, the value of your cervical spine injury can depend on various factors. When seeking compensation, understanding the factors that can influence the value of your claim is crucial. The following are some of the factors that can impact the value of your cervical spine injury claim;
- Severity of the Injury
More severe injuries generally result in higher compensation due to the increased medical expenses and lasting impact on the victim’s quality of life. For instance, future medical costs associated with long-term care can significantly impact the value of a cervical spine injury claim.
- Medical Expenses
The cost of treating your injury, including hospital bills, diagnostic imaging, medications, and potential future care, will affect the value of your claim. Significant medical expenses generally result in higher settlements.
- Effect of the Injury on Wages and Earning Capacity
After suffering a cervical spine injury, you will most likely need to take time off work to recover. In such a case, lost wages will be factored into your settlement. How much you lose because of your injury will impact the value of your claim. If you cannot work completely in the future or the same capacity as before, you may also recover compensation for loss of earning capacity.
- Liability
If you are found to be partially liable for your accident, you are likely to receive reduced compensation. In cases of shared fault, the comparative negligence rule requires that the claimant’s compensation be reduced based on their percentage of fault.
- Insurance Coverage
Finally, the amount of insurance coverage can affect settlement amounts. It may be hard to recover the full extent of your damages if the at-fault party has minimal coverage.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Orlando, Ocala, Fort Myers, Tampa, Jacksonville, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Naples, and Melbourne areas.