What Is the Average Settlement for Whiplash and a Concussion?

7 min read time

If you were involved in a car accident that was the fault of someone else, you might be entitled to a significant amount of monetary compensation. To determine if you have a claim and how much you might be entitled to, you should consider reaching out to a personal injury attorney or firm as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to collect evidence and determine what you’re entitled to. Morgan & Morgan is always available to assist you with your claim and help you determine how much compensation you are entitled to. If you find yourself in this situation, you’re probably wondering what is the average settlement for whiplash and concussion injuries? That’s where we come in. We have been handling personal injury claims for decades throughout the United States, so no matter where you’re located, we can help. We have recovered more than $20 billion dollars from our clients throughout our career. Let us help you. Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free consultation.

Whiplash

We often hear about people who are suffering from whiplash, and it can often be difficult to understand how serious this injury can be. Whiplash typically occurs as a result of a car accident that causes your neck to forcefully move back and forth without appropriate support. It’s common for this injury to occur in rear-end car accidents, though it can happen in other types of accidents as well, such as a sports injury, a boating accident, or other types of traumas, including falls. 

Symptoms of whiplash usually include neck pain, tenderness or stiffness of the neck, decreased range of motion in the neck, headaches, tingling or numbness in the arms or legs, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, and memory problems. Not everyone suffers from all of these side effects, and some people experience other side effects not listed here. If you were involved in any type of incident and believe you have whiplash, it’s a good idea to see a medical professional as soon as possible. 

Concussions

A concussion is another serious injury that many people sustain from car accidents. Concussions also often occur as a result of falls, sports injuries, or other traumas to the head. A concussion is a minor traumatic brain injury (TBI), but it can have serious adverse side effects. Many people who experience a concussion suffer from memory loss, blurred vision, headaches, loss of consciousness, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, and extreme mood or personality changes. Generally, people recover quickly from concussions, but there are times where they are long-lasting and leave the victim with permanent damage. 

If you suffered a concussion or whiplash and you believe that it was due to someone else’s negligence, you should consider speaking with a personal injury attorney right away. They can help you determine if you have the grounds to file a civil claim, and if so, how much compensation you might be entitled to as a result. 

Average Settlement for Whiplash and Concussion

If you find yourself in this situation, you might want to know exactly how much compensation you will be awarded. Unfortunately, there’s no easy calculation that can determine this amount. It’s true that an experienced lawyer will be able to help you determine how much money to ask for, but there’s no exact science to this. Some of the compensation you might be entitled to as a result of these injuries includes the following, though this list is not exhaustive:

  • Medical Expenses
  • Rehabilitation Expenses
  • Lost Wages
  • Reduced Earning Capacity
  • Emotional Pain and Suffering
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life

Medical and rehabilitation expenses, as well as lost wages, are easy to calculate. You spend a specific amount of money on these expenses and lose out on a particular amount of money for the time you aren’t able to work. Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other types of non-economic damages can be much more difficult to calculate because they’re so subjective. 

Generally speaking, the average settlement for a whiplash and a concussion or whiplash personal injury case is between $20,000 and $200,000. Some people will receive significantly more compensation than this, and some people might receive less. While this is quite a large range, it’s really difficult to find an average amount that is going to apply to everyone who experiences whiplash or a concussion. It’s all very dependent on how severe your injuries are, how the accident occurred, and what state you’re in and if there are any limits on the amount of compensation you’re permitted to recover under the law. 

 

What Should I Do if I Was in a Car Accident and Think I Have a Concussion?

If you were in a car accident, the first thing you should do is make sure you are safe. You typically don’t want to move your car because you want the police to see exactly how it was positioned after the accident. If you’re on a highway and you need to get out of the middle of the road, you should move to the side of the road as soon as possible. Once you’re safe, you should call 911 right away and make sure the other party who was involved in the accident remains on the scene. When law enforcement arrives, they will create an accident report, speak with you and the other driver, talk to witnesses if applicable, and just overall take note of the scene and what happened. This accident report can be very beneficial for you in the future should you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit. The police officer’s unbiased accident report may help you prove your case if it goes to trial. 

After law enforcement arrives and all the insurance information has been exchanged, you should consider seeking medical help right away – especially if you think you have a concussion. Concussions can be mild or severe, but there’s really no way for you to know how serious yours is without seeing a doctor. Additionally, any medical records you have collected will be helpful if you decide to file a claim in the future as well. 

Finally, you should then contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options. They can help you to recover compensation from the insurance companies or the at-fault driver. They will know what evidence to collect and how to negotiate with the insurance company or the defense attorney if necessary. 

 

Should I Speak to the Insurance Company After a Car Accident?

If you were involved in a car accident and think you are entitled to compensation, it’s possible that either your insurance company or the at-fault party’s insurance company will reach out to you to try to offer you a settlement so the case can be resolved as soon as possible. While it can be tempting to take the money the insurance company is offering you, always keep in mind that insurance companies typically have one goal: to make money. This means they will almost certainly offer you less money than you actually deserve, especially if you don’t have legal representation. 

Insurance companies have lawyers, and you should too. You should always make sure you have a legal professional by your side before you speak with an insurance company or decide to accept any type of settlement offer. Once you accept that offer from the insurance company, you won’t be able to file a personal injury lawsuit, even if you really should have been entitled to receive more compensation. 

It’s also important that you don’t say much to the insurance adjuster that you speak with, especially without a lawyer. It’s possible that what you say and do during these conversations will be used against you should you decide to file a lawsuit in the future. Don’t apologize to anyone and don’t admit fault, even if you think it was your fault. Your lawyer can help you determine how the accident occurred and who the responsible party is. Just because you think you’re at fault doesn’t mean that you are. It’s best to say as little as possible.

 

Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Car accidents can be very serious, and they often leave individuals with long-lasting injuries, requiring extensive medical treatments and rehabilitation. If you or a loved one is in this unfortunate situation, you’re not alone. You can recover the compensation that you deserve in order to help you pay for your medical expenses. Morgan & Morgan is here to help you. No matter what kind of injuries you may have suffered, we want to assist you with your claim. Concussions and whiplash may not be very severe when compared to some other injuries that people sustain in car accidents, but they certainly can be. We want you to receive more than the average settlement for concussion and whiplash, and we will do everything in our power to make this happen. Morgan & Morgan works on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only collect a fee if we win or settle your case. Therefore, there’s no financial risk to you – you don’t have to pay anything upfront. Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free consultation.

Disclaimer
This website is meant for general information and not legal advice.

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