Settlement FAQs

how to negotiate whiplash settlement

by Elsa Predovic Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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You might try and settle for an amount between 1.5 and 3x your medicals, plus out-of-pocket expenses. Try and keep the negotiations high. Don’t settle for any less than 2x, and try hard to get 3x. In your case, 3x would be a reasonable settlement.

10 Tips for Negotiating Pain and Suffering:
  1. Manage Your Expectations for Compensation.
  2. Know What Counts as Pain and Suffering.
  3. Support Your Claim with Outside Factors.
  4. Tell a Vivid Story of Your Pain and Suffering.
  5. Describe Your Distress During Recovery.
  6. Link Evidence to Your Pain and Suffering.
Nov 9, 2021

Full Answer

How much is reasonable for an injury settlement for whiplash?

What is a reasonable settlement for whiplash? Minor whiplash injuries typically settle for between $10,000 and $100,000. Severe whiplash injuries with life-altering consequences like permanent disability result in higher settlements. Someone with this kind of permanent injury can expect between $1 million and $5 million in a severe whiplash settlement.

What's the typical settlement for whiplash?

Whiplash Settlements Over the Years

  • Average whiplash settlement 2012: $12,500
  • Average whiplash settlement 2013: $13,000
  • Average whiplash settlement 2014: $13,500
  • Average whiplash settlement 2015: $14,500
  • Average whiplash settlement 2016: $13,000
  • Average whiplash settlement 2017: $13,500
  • Average whiplash settlement 2018: $14,000
  • Average whiplash settlement 2019: $14,500

What is the average settlement payout for a whiplash injury?

On average, settlement for whiplash injuries can range from $2,000 to $10,000. But it can go as high as $100,000 depending on the extent of the injury. There is no minimum settlement amount for whiplash injury. But if your symptoms are very mild and you’ve recovered quickly, your compensation will obviously be lower.

How long will my whiplash settlement take?

With mild whiplash, symptoms can clear up in a couple of months with painkillers, rest, and massage. A person might not miss any work in the process. More severe whiplash can last for over a year. It might require surgery, depending on the extent of damage to ligaments and cervical bones.

Is 3x a reasonable settlement?

Is our response legal advice?

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How do you ask for more money in a settlement?

Send a Detailed Demand Letter to the Insurance Company Because the insurance company will likely reply with an offer for an amount lower than what you've asked for in the demand letter, you should ask for between 25 and 100 percent more than what you would be willing to settle for.

What kind of settlement should I expect from whiplash?

That said, most whiplash settlements in the United States range between $10,000 to $100,000 for minor neck and back injuries. However, the average whiplash settlement amount is $1 million to $5 million for significant, life-changing injuries.

How do you negotiate a higher pain and suffering settlement?

How to Negotiate Pain and Suffering in a Car Accident ClaimPrepare well. ... Learn about pain and suffering. ... Keep your tone with the adjuster professional. ... Explain how the injury affected your life. ... Do not be shy. ... Tell the insurance adjuster how painful the whole experience was. ... Explain how painful the treatment was.More items...

How long does whiplash take to settle?

How Long Does It Take Whiplash to Heal? Most whiplash injuries heal within six to nine months of the accident. However, chronic whiplash may take years to fully heal. Since whiplash is not visible externally and doesn't show up on standard tests, you will need to speak with a doctor for a diagnosis.

What is Level 3 whiplash?

Stage 3: shows the entire spine in extension with an intense sheering force that causes compression of the facet joint capsules.

How is whiplash settlement calculated?

To calculate the amount of your whiplash settlement, you begin by totaling your financial losses from the car accident. Add up all of your medical bills, lost income from the time that you're recuperating, and property damages. Then, you add an additional amount to compensate you for pain and suffering.

How do you respond to a low settlement offer?

Steps to Respond to a Low Settlement OfferRemain Calm and Analyze Your Offer. Just like anything in life, it's never a good idea to respond emotionally after receiving a low offer. ... Ask Questions. ... Present the Facts. ... Develop a Counteroffer. ... Respond in Writing.

Can you negotiate a car settlement figure?

Even if the offer seems reasonable at first glance, you should always negotiate. After you research the value of your car, come up with a number that you feel is fair for a settlement. It should be the absolute minimum you are willing to accept.

What should I ask for pain and suffering?

Consider the following factors in your discussion of pain and suffering: severity of your injury....The following documents, if available, should be attached to your demand letter:Medical records, bills, and receipts.Doctor's note.Police report.Witness statements.Photos of injuries.

Should I accept First whiplash offer?

He's right to point out that it's usually a mistake to accept a pre-medical offer, especially in claims involving “whiplash” injuries where the innocent claimant suffers neck and/ or back strain in road accidents. This is because personal injury claims are as varied as the people who make them.

What is the minimum claim for whiplash?

Firstly, there is no official minimum amount of compensation and secondly, a lot depends on your case, such as whether your injuries have been severe enough to need surgery or if you have suffered from any permanent injuries.

How much money can you get from a neck injury?

How much is a neck injury worth? It will vary depending on the type of injury, but the average payout for a neck injury is between $5,000 and $50,000. Soft tissue neck injury claims are worth between $5,000 and $20,000 on average. Neck disc injury cases that result in surgery average over $200,000.

What is the minimum claim for whiplash?

Firstly, there is no official minimum amount of compensation and secondly, a lot depends on your case, such as whether your injuries have been severe enough to need surgery or if you have suffered from any permanent injuries.

Do insurance companies pay out for whiplash?

Can I make a whiplash claim for personal injuries? The answer is yes. If you get whiplash after being in an accident that wasn't your fault, either as a driver or a passenger, you can make a whiplash claim on the at-fault driver's insurance. You can do this directly or via a 'no win, no fee' legal firm.

Is whiplash a permanent injury?

Generally speaking, "whiplash patients recover completely," he says. In fact, "99.2% of those with low preliminary pain and stiffness scores were better within a month. But "those who had reduced neck [movement] were at highest risk, and 75% of them were still handicapped after one year."

How much money can you get from a neck injury?

How much is a neck injury worth? It will vary depending on the type of injury, but the average payout for a neck injury is between $5,000 and $50,000. Soft tissue neck injury claims are worth between $5,000 and $20,000 on average. Neck disc injury cases that result in surgery average over $200,000.

What's the Average Payout For Each Grade of Whiplash?

Unlike many other car accident injuries, whiplash injuries are classified by grade of severity, with 0 being almost no injury at all and grade 3 be...

Can you get whiplash from a side impact crash?

Yes, you can get whiplash from a side impact crash or T-bone collision. Whiplash occurs when the victims head and neck is jolted rapidly in a quick...

Can whiplash be fatal?

Most whiplash injuries are what are considered to be soft tissue injuries. Most whiplash injuries suffered in car accidents are considered mild to...

How long after a car accident can you claim whiplash injury?

Whiplash is a common neck injury after a car accident. However, filing a claim for compensation for this injury can be problematic. Many insurance...

Can you get whiplash from being t boned?

Side impact car wrecks are commonly referred to as T-bone accidents. They often have a more severe effect on the body than a frontal or rear end co...

What happens if you don't treat whiplash?

A whiplash injury is a serious injury. The pain and limited motion of this serious neck injury can last weeks, months or years in the worst cases....

Will hiring an attorney to negotiate my whiplash settlement pay for itself? Does the (hopefully) inc...

There are some soft tissue injury accident cases where you may be able to represent yourself. If you have a minor soft tissue injury such as whipla...

Can I negotiate my whiplash settlement myself?

Some people can effectively handle their own minor car accident settlement without a lawyer. In a whiplash settlement claim where injuries and fina...

How long does whiplash last after the car crash?

Whiplash is a serious soft tissue neck injury that happens in a car accident. The head of the victim is suddenly thrown forwards and backwards. Man...

Can you get whiplash from a minor car accident?

Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs by the sudden forward and backward motion of the head. Most commonly, whiplash occurs in a car accident when...

How Much is the Average Whiplash Settlement?

In most mild to moderate cases, the average settlement for whiplash in a car accident will be between $2,500 and $10,000. More serious cases that require physical therapy for several months can result in a settlement of $30,000 or more.

What is a Fair Whiplash Settlement For My Injury?

One of the most important factors is how fast you and the drivers of other vehicles involved in the accident were traveling at the time. Speed plays a huge factor in auto accidents, especially in whiplash car accidents. In general, the harder you’re hit, the more severe your injuries will be. On the other hand, even the slightest impact to the front, rear, or side of your vehicle can cause your body to sustain a whiplash injury. Other common factors that go into determining your whiplash injury settlement will include:

How Much is Pain and Suffering Worth in a Whiplash Settlement?

Now you need to determine the value of your pain and suffering. In some cases, the auto insurance company will use a multiplier from 1 to 5 to determine the settlement cost of your injuries. That number is multiplied by your economic damages.

How is Whiplash Diagnosed?

Whiplash injuries can be extremely hard to pinpoint using modern medical technology. Since whiplash injuries primarily consist of damage to the soft tissue of the neck, X-rays can not be used to determine if a person does or does not have whiplash. Your doctor may order MRI or CT scans to help rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.

What is whiplash in car accident?

Whiplash is a serious soft tissue neck injury that happens in a car accident the head of the victim is suddenly thrown forwards and backwards. Many people who are in car accidents will suffer whiplash, and some of these accidents can be relatively minor.

What causes whiplash in the neck?

According to medical experts, whiplash injuries usually result from a collision that includes sudden acceleration or deceleration. Rear-end car accidents are a common cause of whiplash injuries. It happens when a vehicle strikes your car, causing the body to jerk forward quickly. The head usually trails by a second, causing injuries to the muscles and soft tissue in the neck as it makes exaggerated movements due to the force of the crash. Fortunately, it is fairly easy to prove fault in these cases.

How long does it take for whiplash to show up in a car accident?

However, many cases of whiplash do not follow this pattern. In some cases, you may not begin to experience symptoms from your whiplash injury until several hours after your accident.

Summary of the Key Findings

Whiplash injuries can range from minor, which pass in a couple of days or weeks, to severe, which can impact mobility and cause chronic pain.

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden movement of the head and neck back and forth.

What Factors Influence Whiplash Settlement

Whiplash injury claims are filed when accident victims don’t receive enough damages from insurance companies to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and property damages.

Hire Experienced Lawyers for Your Whiplash Claims

The extent of your whiplash settlement offer will depend on many factors, most importantly, the severity of your neck sprain and current and likely future medical expenses.

How much does a whiplash settlement cost?

While each case is unique, mild or moderate whiplash injuries generally seek damages ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. Severe whiplash injuries could involve damages reaching anywhere ...

What is an average whiplash settlement?

An "average" whiplash settlement is more of a concept than a dollar amount. There are any number of details that can push a settlement value higher or lower: How quickly you sought medical treatment after the accident that caused your whiplash. How severe the whiplash symptoms are, and how long they persist.

Why did Steve Caya fight the insurance company?

Steve Caya fought the insurance company to get his client substantial compensation for a neck injury and cervical facet syndrome caused by a car crash.

What is whiplash in Wisconsin?

Whiplash is a type of neck injury commonly caused by rear end car accidents. Any accident or trauma that causes your neck to jerk back and forth can result in whiplash, including sports injuries, physical abuse, a blow to the head, ...

How long does it take for whiplash to heal?

Chronic whiplash syndrome is the name given to a group of symptoms including whiplash headache, neck pain, shoulder pain, jaw pain , ringing in the ears (and/or loss of hearing), vertigo and other symptoms. Usually it takes 6-12 months without real relief before whiplash is considered 'chronic.'

What injuries did Steve Caya have?

Steve Caya's client sustained neck and shoulder injuries after being rear-ended by a truck at low speed.

How much did Steve Caya settle for?

Steve Caya reached a $250,000 settlement on behalf of a client who sustained non-surgical head and neck injuries due to a rear end collision.

When do whiplash claims settle?

Whiplash claims are more likely to settle when you seek a fair amount of compensation.

Who handles whiplash injuries?

Severe whiplash injuries should be handled by an experienced attorney to get anywhere near a fair amount of compensation.

Why did Betty have whiplash?

Vehicle Two: Betty had severe whiplash because her body was violently jerked to the right and then to the left when she hit Carl’s vehicle. When she tried to correct her vehicle by straightening on the interstate, her body was then jerked to the left again. When she ended up in the ditch, she jerked violently to the right. She also bumped her head on the driver’s side window and got a concussion.

How can a whiplash lawyer help?

Our whiplash lawyers can help by making sure you get just compensation for your injuries and suffering. Without a lawyer many times insurance companies will take advantage of an injured person and make sure they get as little money as possible.

What Losses Did You Sustain in Your Whiplash Injury?

One of the most important factors in determining whiplash injury compensation amounts is the type and amount of losses you sustained as a result of the injury.

How long does it take for whiplash to heal?

Most people who suffer whiplash injuries in car accidents will recover in a few weeks’ time. However, some people end up with long-term consequences from the injury, such as chronic neck pain, headaches, and even arm pain or numbness. Determining a total amount for your whiplash injury will require consideration of some of the following:

What is compensatory damages?

Both types of damages are designed to compensate a victim for losses and are known as “compensatory damages.”. When you are negotiating a settlement amount, the other side will take into account the likely compensatory damages you would be awarded if the case goes to court and is decided by a judge or jury.

What is exemplary damages?

This type of damage award also is known as “vindictive damages” or “exemplary damages.”. If the other side knows that you may be eligible to receive punitive damages because the responsible driver’s behavior showed willful misconduct or other egregious behavior, a whiplash settlement amount might increase.

What causes a sprained neck?

It is caused by a “forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.” They are most common in rear end car accidents, but they can happen in various other accidents.

Who to speak to about whiplash in Georgia?

If you need assistance negotiating a whiplash payout, you should speak with a Georgia whiplash injury attorney about your case. We have years of experience helping clients with a wide variety of car accident claims and insurance settlements, and we can help you determine the amount you deserve for your injuries. Contact Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C. for more information and to set up a free consultation.

What Is a Whiplash Injury?

To know if you qualify for a whiplash lawsuit settlement, you first must understand what a whiplash injury is.

What is a personal injury settlement?

A personal injury settlement is filed when your insurance can no longer pay for all of the medical costs, lost wages, and property damages that occurred from the car accident.

What Factors Affect Your Settlement Amount?

The average settlement payout for a whiplash injury can change depending on several factors.

Can you get a higher settlement for neck and back injuries?

Neck and back injuries can be serious. If your injury will affect you for the rest of your life, you’ll get a higher payout. On the flip side, if your recovery time is quick and minor, your settlement will be much smaller.

Is 3x a reasonable settlement?

In your case, 3x would be a reasonable settlement. Your next consideration will be the total amount of available insurance to cover your damages. If the driver’s insurance policy limits are the state mandated minimum, it won’t cover all your damages. The insurance company will simply pay you the policy limits.

Is our response legal advice?

Disclaimer: Our response is not formal legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. It is generic legal information based on the very limited information provided. Do not rely upon the information in our response, or anywhere else on this site, when deciding the proper course of a legal matter. Always get a personalized case review from a local attorney.

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