Settlement FAQs

what kind of insurance settlement should i expect from whiplash

by Prof. Hattie Schuster Sr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Average whiplash settlement amounts may range from:
$10,000 to $100,000 for minor neck and back injuries. $1 million to $5 million or more for life-altering whiplash injuries or permanent disability.
Jan 9, 2021

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 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 does a whiplash injury claim take to settle?

The entire process, if your claim becomes a lawsuit, can take from six months to over a year before final verdict. Read more How Long Will My Personal Injury Settlement Take? How long does a whiplash claim take to settle UK? How Long Should A Whiplash Claim Take? On average, most whiplash claims should be settled in less than six months.

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 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.

Is it worth suing for a whiplash injury?

Settlement values or trial verdicts for whiplash vary greatly, but most cases or mild to moderate whiplash will be valued between $2,500 and $10,000. More serious cases involving treatment (typically physical therapy) over several months may cost the defendant upwards of $30,000.

How do you negotiate a whiplash settlement?

10 Tips for Negotiating Pain and Suffering:Manage Your Expectations for Compensation.Know What Counts as Pain and Suffering.Support Your Claim with Outside Factors.Tell a Vivid Story of Your Pain and Suffering.Describe Your Distress During Recovery.Link Evidence to Your Pain and Suffering.More items...•

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.

How long does it take to settle a whiplash claim?

A straightforward injury claim could take around six months to settle, while a more challenging case could take three years or longer to come to an end.

How many grades of whiplash are there?

Neck problems from a whiplash have been grouped into four 'grades' of WAD or Whiplash-Associated Disorders: Grade 0 No pain or discomfort.

How long does it take to get paid after a settlement?

While rough estimates usually put the amount of time to receive settlement money around four to six weeks after a case it settled, the amount of time leading up to settlement will also vary. There are multiple factors to consider when asking how long it takes to get a settlement check.

How long does a car insurance claim take to settle?

Total loss claim – this means your car isn't repairable (also known as a write-off). At this point, your insurer will agree a settlement figure with you which is likely to be agreed within 30 days, once your insurer has assessed the car and agreed it is a write off.

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.

How much should I settle for a neck injury?

The average settlement for a minor back or neck injury can range from between $10,000 to $50,000. Just because a fair settlement for your injury case may be lower does not mean that it is not important to recover a full payout after the motor vehicle accident.

How do doctors check for whiplash?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This imaging test uses radio waves and a magnetic field to produce detailed 3D images. In addition to bone injuries, MRI scans can detect some soft tissue injuries, such as damage to the spinal cord, disks or ligaments.

How much is a pinched nerve worth?

Generally speaking, an accident victim can expect $15,000 to $75,000 for mild to moderate injuries. For severe damage, a victim may receive $100,000 upwards into millions.

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.

Do you get compensation for whiplash?

If you think you have whiplash or related injuries after being in a car accident, even if your symptoms are mild, the law says you are entitled to financial compensation because of the pain and suffering you have experienced.

Is there a minimum speed for whiplash claim?

The reason there isn't a minimum speed for a whiplash claim is because the speed of your vehicle is not always a factor in getting a whiplash injury. This is because you could technically still get a whiplash injury even if your vehicle is completely stationery.

What is severe whiplash?

Overview. Whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip. Whiplash is commonly caused by rear-end car accidents. But whiplash can also result from sports accidents, physical abuse and other types of traumas, such as a fall.

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.

What Is the Average Whiplash Settlement?

In most cases, whiplash injuries rarely get large settlements after car accidents. This is usually because insurance companies consider this neck injury minor. Besides, most victims take just a couple of months to fully recover from the condition, while permanent damage is not usually associated with this type of neck injury.

How Long Does a Whiplash Settlement Take?

If your claim proceeds to court, the entire settlement process may take six months or even over a year. However, most personal injury cases are settled before going to trial. Therefore, it is more likely for the insurance company to reach you in the early stages of the process, typically within a few weeks.

What Is Whiplash?

This is a painful injury in the neck that usually results from a forceful, rapid back and forth neck movement of the neck, hence the name neck sprain in some circles. Whiplash injuries mainly result from car accidents but can also be due to slip and fall accidents or physical abuse. The sudden movement of the neck that leads to this type of injury is similar to cracking a whip, hence the name whiplash injury.

What are the Common Whiplash Injury Symptoms?

In some cases, whiplash symptoms may manifest immediately or within hours after an accident. These symptoms include:

How Is Whiplash Diagnosed?

In most cases, doctors rely on verbal and manual examination to diagnose victims in case of whiplash. But the first step involves determining whether there was a rapid movement that could have led to such an injury. In some cases, doctors may need to use an X-ray examination to rule any fears of bone injuries in your neck.

What Types of Compensation are Available for Whiplash Claims?

Car accident injury victims are entitled to a number of types of compensation. In most cases, whiplash injury victims incur various expenses, which need to be compensated. Some of the common types of compensation available for whiplash victims include:

What is whiplash in medical terms?

Whiplash is a painful neck injury. It is caused by a forceful back and forth snapping movement of neck. The movement causing whiplash is rapid, oftentimes described as like cracking a whip. Thus the name. Whiplash technically is not a formal term for a medical diagnosis. However, the term is widely used by medical professionals, ...

How much does a whiplash injury cost?

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.

Why is it so hard to claim whiplash?

You see, soft-tissue injuries like whiplash don’t show up in x-rays or other diagnostic tools. As such, it’s hard to get a medical document to support your claim. This is why whiplash claims are often written off as nuisance claims.

How long does whiplash last in Florida?

In addition, most whiplash symptoms go away in a week. In Florida, you won’t get wage loss compensation for the first seven days of disability. Some states also have similar rules. This means you’ll only get medical benefits but not your lost wages if you can get back to work within 7 days.

How long does it take to report a work injury?

In most states, work-related injuries have to be reported within a certain number of days. Failure to do so will give your employer reason to deny your claim. But if the symptoms take time to show up, reporting your injury on time can be difficult.

Do whiplash injuries last long?

But unless the damage goes way beyond a simple muscle strain, whiplash injuries rarely last long. Nor do they cause permanent disability. That’s why lost wages compensation for whiplash injuries aren’t usually that much.

Can whiplash be a workers compensation claim?

But unlike most types of injuries, whiplash symptoms don’t usually show up immediately after the accident. And sometimes, the true extent of the injury will only become apparent months later. This makes it hard to get workers compensation for whiplash injuries.

Does Workers Comp pay for depression?

Unlike personal injury claims, workers comp don’ t pay for psychological damages like anxiety or depression. Your employer is only required by law to pay for medical costs and supplies. So if you’re only experiencing mild symptoms, you can’t expect thousands of dollars in compensation.

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 much did Carl demand for Abby's insurance?

Carl made a compensation demand for $2,500 to Abby’s insurance company.

How do I deal with the challenges presented in my whiplash injury claim?

Your attorney must present substantial evidence linking your injury with the car accident that occurred . Medical tests, especially the results of CT scans, MRI scans, and electromyography scans can provide evidence of the existence of the injury.

How much compensation can I get for my whiplash injury?

The amount of your settlement payout for a whiplash injury will depend on the circumstances of your case. Each claim is different. Do NOT accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company! Insurance companies are notorious for “low ball” offers so they can hurry up and get your case settled.

Does the severity of my whiplash affect my payout?

Yes. Whiplash can occur on a spectrum from mild to severe. Severe cases often have higher settlements since victims experience more injury-related losses. A mild whiplash injury can heal within a few months, while severe whiplash can leave you with chronic pain and long-term impairment. If you suffered severe whiplash, you may lose the ability to do your previous job for years or longer.

How can a whiplash injury impact my daily life?

After a whiplash injury, you may experience a constellation of symptoms that can have a direct impact on your daily life. Stiffness in your neck can make it difficult to turn your head, limiting your ability to drive safely. Headaches can affect your cognitive abilities, directly affecting your ability to work. If you experience dizziness or lightheadedness, you may be unable to stand for periods of time, which can prevent you from doing your job.

How long does it take to see a whiplash injury?

Whiplash injuries are some of the more underestimated injuries, especially because symptoms often do not appear right after the accident. It may be days before you see symptoms including pain, numbness, and stiffness in the neck and shoulder muscles. Bigger challenges may lie ahead, however, when you try to file a claim for damages ...

Why is it so hard to get a claim for whiplash?

The claims process is a little more difficult when it comes to soft tissue injuries like whiplash because they don’t always show up in imaging tests like x-rays or MRIs. It is important to seek treatment and be direct with your doctor about your symptoms.

Do you have to provide evidence for whiplash?

Therefore, you must provide strong evidence linking your whiplash injuries to the accident and establishing their impact on your life. Remember, you might find several of the defendant’s allegations bizarre and unfounded, but it is important to prepare for the following, so that you can put up a strong defense.

How much does a whiplash settlement cost?

Data from recent years show average whiplash settlement amounts for minor neck and back injuries range from $10,000 to $100,000.

Who Pays the Whiplash Settlement in an Auto Accident?

After a motor vehicle accident, the insurance company and/or the at-fault driver can pay a whiplash settlement. Whiplash injury claims are generally filed after the victim attempts to secure necessary funds from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If you are a victim of whiplash, and you did not receive enough to cover medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and other expenses, you have a legal right to demand the funds by filing a lawsuit.

How to get a payout for whiplash?

To receive a payout from an insurance company for your whiplash injury claim, you must send the company a formal demand letter describing your damages. Work alongside a trusted car accident attorney to compile all expenses, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

How long does it take for whiplash to heal?

Consider instances in which whiplash causes broken bones or chronic pain. In addition to being more severe, these injuries also take much longer to heal. Where bruises can heal in a few weeks, a broken bone could take several months to a year.

What is the term for a neck injury that causes a neck to jerk back and forth?

Whiplash , also referred to as whiplash-associated disorder (WAD), occurs when a force of impact tears sensitive ligaments in the neck. Though whiplash is most common in auto accidents, it can result from any trauma that causes the neck to jerk back and forth. A blow to the head or even a slip and fall accident can cause whiplash.

How much money can a whiplash victim spend on a claim?

Overall, a victim can spend thousands of dollars on a whiplash claim. An accident victim with higher medical bills will likely receive more compensation. Additionally, more time spent in the hospital or doctor’s office means less time spent at work. That’s why whiplash victims are also compensated for lost wages.

What injuries are considered whiplash?

Neck and back injuries account for the majority of these injuries—especially whiplash. Healing from whiplash while balancing the mounting pressure of medical bills and lost wages can be exhausting. If you’ve suffered whiplash in an accident, you deserve compensation.

What are the symptoms of a whiplash injury?

So, if you've been experiencing lingering symptoms of a neck injury -- stiffness, pain, limited mobility, tingling, numbness, and other signs that something isn't right -- you may have something more significant than a standard "whiplash" injury.

How long does it take for whiplash to dissipate?

Often, the full extent of symptoms may take several days up to a week to be recognized by both patients and legal professionals. Moreover, this is only applicable to relatively minor whiplash injuries, whose symptoms will likely dissipate on their own in due time.

What is the nature of whiplash?

The Nature of Whiplash Injuries. The nature of damages relevant to whiplash injuries also factor into the timing filing a claim or lawsuit. In most cases of whiplash injuries, the true extent of the physical damages suffered by a patient, most notably to their soft tissues in the cervical (neck) region, are not readily apparent immediately ...

Can you settle a whiplash claim before trial?

In a whiplash injury claim, victims are forced to take certain legal steps to retain their ability to recover compensation for damages caused by another negligent party. Though most whiplash injury claims are settled well before going to trial, the best chance a victim has in obtaining a settlement offer may be through filing a lawsuit ...

Can a lawyer help with whiplash?

Again, only an attorney can accurately advise victims on the best method to pursue legal claims related to whiplash personal injuries. However, most often, filing suit against negligent and potentially liable parties is one in a number of steps that may ultimately lead to a settlement offer. In many cases, victims must first recognize and document the damages relevant to their claims before notifying any party of their intent to sue. In addition, a plaintiff (victim) should also evaluate their claim from a legal standpoint, asking whether a given claim is actually viable or not.

Is whiplash hard to document?

Like other soft tissue injuries, though, whiplash is hard to document in medical records (it doesn't show up on x-rays or other diagnostic tools) making the claims process a little more difficult.

Can you file a whiplash claim without an attorney?

Without the use of an attorney or lawyer for their personal injury claims related to whiplash injuries, victims will most likely fail to file viable claims against liable parties or will be grossly unprepared to handle any claims settlement negotiation in a favorable manner.

Robert C. Slim

I think you already know the answer to your own question. This low offer is just another example of why you should engage a personal injury attorney. Despite the insurance company having an intoxicated driver as an insured, the insurance company has the gall to make you such a lowball offer.

Joel Brantley Hudson

Just as all the other answers have stated. NO you should not take this offer. You need to hire a qualified attorney to represent you in this matter. In the meantime do not sign anything given to you by the insurance company that may hinder to rights in this case.

Thomas Benjamin Glanton

Do you have an attorney or are you trying to address this claim yourself? I would strongly suggest that you seek to retain proper local counsel that focuses on personal injury matters as the facts of your case seem to indicate that only damages are at issue at that liability is not in question.

Eugene Andre Ahtirski

Not sure when accident happened - you not not even consider settling your claim until you at least consult a local personal injury attorney - what have you go to lose since most offer free consultations.

Michael R Crosner

Yes, that offer is definitely low. YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT SETTLE YOUR CLAIM FOR $1,200. If I were a betting man, I'd guess the other driver was insured with Progressive.

Daragh John Carter

NO! You should be having any more communication with the insurance company and immediately consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. You have no idea right now how severe your injuries will be down the road. Do not even think about settling until you have a more accurate idea of the extent of those injuries.

David Ian Schoen

No. You should get a lawyer and medical treatment before you ever attempt to negotiate. Your cAse could be worth a few thousand to tens of thousands. Any questions please do not hesitate to ask or leave a comment.

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