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Average Settlement for Car Accident Back and Neck Injury

Last Updated: June 24, 2025

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Written By:   Attorney Michael L. Saile

Written By:

  Attorney Michael L. Saile

Settlements compensate victims for the losses they suffer from crashes. The average settlement for a back or neck injury suffered in a car accident is about $73,000, however compensation could vary depending on the facts of your case. Work with an experienced attorney from Cordisco & Saile LLC to get the most for your car accident claim.

Because several factors can affect a settlement, it’s difficult to know how much a car accident case is worth without the details. Average settlements for a car accident back and neck injury can be significant if victims suffer financial or life-changing losses. However, accurately valuing your damages and building a strong case will help you get the maximum compensation for your claim.

A personal injury settlement after a car accident typically ranges between $70,000 and $80,000. That number depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of medical bills, whether or not you can return to work, and the mental and emotional suffering caused by the accident. Our experienced car accident attorneys in Pennsylvania can assess and value your damages, so you claim the full amount available in your car accident lawsuit.

Average Car Accident Back and Neck Injury Settlements

While the average settlement for a back or neck injury suffered in a car accident is about $73,000, you could receive more significant compensation if you sustained severe or catastrophic neck or back injuries requiring extensive treatments and long-term medical care. These injuries could prevent you from returning to work, earning an income, and enjoying the same lifestyle you did before the accident.

Because so many elements determine a car, motorcycle, or truck accident settlement, estimating an amount is difficult without knowing the case details and what circumstances led to the accident. You may be entitled to much more if you or a loved one suffer life-altering injuries. Consult with our skilled auto accident attorneys to get an accurate estimate of your damages.

What Factors Impacts a Neck and Back Injury Settlement?

The range for neck and back injury settlements varies so widely because several factors affect the amount:

  • Type and severity of your injury
  • Current medical expenses
  • Cost of future medical care
  • Lost wages from missed work
  • Loss of earning capacity if you cannot continue on your career path
  • Pain and suffering

Injury Severity

Car accident victims who fully recover from minor injuries maintain their quality of life after they heal. However, severe or catastrophic injuries will completely change a person’s life. Examples of catastrophic neck and back injuries include the following:

  • Fractured cervical spine
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Tetraplegia
  • Paraplegia
  • Permanent nerve damage
  • Other types of paralysis

Individuals with these types of permanent impairments, loss of mobility, or chronic pain may experience the following as a result:

  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium or benefits of a family relationship
  • Decrease in quality of life
  • Disfigurement or scarring
  • Disabilities

All of these non-monetary damages will affect your car accident claim settlement. Contact our skilled personal injury lawyers in Pennsylvania to learn more about recoverable damages after a car accident.

Current and Future Medical Expenses

Current and ongoing medical care is one of the most significant expenses that result from a car accident. It’s crucial to consider what type of future care you or your loved one will need and to include those costs in your legal claim to get the full amount you’re entitled to for your injuries.

Lost Wages and Future Earnings

If you cannot return to your job, you miss out on income that could support your family. In addition, long-term injuries can completely change your career trajectory and limit your earnings capacity in the future. You can claim these damages in your car accident lawsuit.

Pain and Suffering

Neck and back injuries often come with significant pain and suffering, including the following:

  • Physical pain
  • Anxiety
  • Emotional distress
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Mental health disorders

These physical, emotional, and mental effects are losses you can include in your claim for compensation. Schedule a free consultation with Cordisco & Saile to learn how we calculate these damages and what you may receive for your case.

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Proving Liability for Your Back and Neck Injury Lawsuit

A car accident lawyer will help build your case and prove liability using crucial evidence and proven legal strategies, putting you in the best position to receive a favorable settlement offer. These are some resources that will help establish your case:

  • Medical records: These records include hospital stays, prescriptions for medication, medical tests, imaging, physical therapy, and more.
  • Expert testimony: Medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and other expert witnesses can testify to support your claims regarding your injury’s severity, your treatment plan, and what caused the accident.
  • Documentation of treatment: Keep a journal of your symptoms, pain, and other ways your injury affects your life during treatment.

Working with a trusted attorney gives you access to invaluable resources and skilled professionals who know how to gather evidence to support your claim. Your attorney will prove all the elements of negligence to hold the responsible party accountable and negotiate a successful neck injury car accident settlement.

Common Signs of Back and Neck Injuries

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, common symptoms of neck and back injuries include the following:

  • Sharp pain in the back
  • Numbness or tingling in the legs or arms
  • Stiffness in the back or neck
  • Shooting pain that moves from the back through the legs
  • Consistent aching in the back or neck
  • Headaches
  • Shoulder pain

Some back and neck injuries are obvious immediately, while others become apparent several hours or days after the accident. Regardless of your symptoms, getting medical care as soon as possible is vital to treat your injuries and prevent further damage. See a medical professional immediately if you notice a loss of bowel or bladder control or leg weakness.

Why Trust Our Experienced Attorneys

A car accident can be overwhelming and confusing for victims and their families. Insurance companies may give you the runaround, leaving you with medical bills and painful injuries that affect every aspect of your life. If you suffered injuries in a Pennsylvania car accident, the skilled attorneys at Cordisco & Saile are ready to help you fight for justice.

With over 30 years of experience representing car accident victims, our law firm is recognized for its professionalism and dedication to clients. Our founding attorneys John F. Cordisco and Michael L. Saile Jr. have received numerous awards and recognitions over the years, including excellent AVVO ratings and spots on The National Trial Lawyers – Brain Injury Top 25. We have an impressive track record of successful cases:

  • $2,470,000 for a Bristol man seriously injured by an armored car
  • $1,377,000  verdict for a Bucks County car accident victim
  • $1,175,000 for a Bucks County couple following a high-impact accident

Contact our team to schedule a free consultation and see what your car accident case may be worth.

Speak With a Car Accident Lawyer Today

Neck and back injuries caused by car accidents can be incredibly painful and debilitating for victims. To get the medical care you need to recover and get your life back on track, you must fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact Cordisco & Saile for a free consultation to see how we can help you get the maximum settlement for your damages. We have multiple law offices to help clients in Bensalem, Bucks County, Lehigh County, and Montgomery County.

Written By Michael L. Saile, Jr.
Managing Attorney at Cordisco & Saile

Serving as a personal injury attorney in Pennsylvania, Michael Saile has been honored as both a Brain Injury Top 25 Lawyer by National Trial Lawyers and a 2024 Super Lawyer. He earned his J. D. at Widener University School of Law where he was a member of the Moe Levine Trial Advocacy Honor Society. Saile is also the author of two publications titled “Not Another Bad Lawyer” and “Don’t Crash Again”.

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