The neck is especially vulnerable during a car crash. The impact of a collision can cause a person’s neck to whip violently back and forth or strike an object within the vehicle. Although it is a strong part of the body, the human neck is unable to withstand extreme forces and is vulnerable to severe injury. The human head is heavy, given the weight of the skull, bony structures, brain and soft tissue. Our necks are far smaller, thinner, and more fragile than our heads. This is why we are so vulnerable to severe neck injury when our heads are suddenly whipped and turned by the forces of a car crash.
Common neck injuries related to a vehicle crash include:
The severity and prognosis of these injuries can vary significantly. Some neck injuries require surgery. Many patients are prescribed pain medication, therapies, and long-term treatment for their neck injuries. No matter the situation, there’s often a long road ahead to healing.
If you were injured in a vehicle crash, you may be wondering about your legal recourse and ability to obtain compensation related to your neck injuries. Below, we address a few common questions about neck injury claims. We also welcome you to contact Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers with any questions. You can reach our firm at (855) 604-9192 or by submitting our online form.
Compensation for a Car Crash Resulting in a Neck Injury
Seek professional medical help immediately after any vehicle crash, even if you do not have symptoms. A physician can perform tests that may reveal injuries and problems you may not feel yet. Then, appropriate treatment can begin and give you the best chance of a full recovery.
Our experienced attorneys can explain the claims process. We can discuss what happened and advise you on the best course of action to maximize your compensation.
An important part of our discussion will be the unique facts of your case, which will determine the compensation you might receive. Some of these factors include:
- The severity of your neck injury.
- How your injury affects your daily activities.
- Your treating physician’s diagnoses and medical predictions for recovery, future treatment, and possible future disability from employment.
- How long your impairments will last or if they are permanent.
- Whether the crash led you to suffer from other injuries or emotional distress.
- Medical bills, lost wages, and other financial losses related to the crash and your injury.
- The effect your injuries have and will have on your relationships and spouse.
Where your attorney files your lawsuit can also affect the value of your neck injury claim. Verdicts and case value will vary dramatically from one county to another. Your law firm should find the best county to file your lawsuit and keep it in that county, even when the insurance company tries to fight it.
How Much is a Neck Injury Case Worth?
Many prospective clients ask us how much compensation they might receive for a neck injury. The factors above will help determine the possible payout. Below are a few examples from some of our past cases involving a client with a neck injury.
$10 Million for a Client with Head-to-Toe Injuries
A client sustained injuries from head to toe when a tractor trailer hit and crushed the stopped vehicle at full speed. (Greene County, PA crash/lawsuit filed in Allegheny County, PA)
$3 Million Verdict for a Client with a Neck Fracture and Other Injuries
Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers’s client was a passenger in a Greyhound bus that slammed into the rear of a tractor trailer truck at a high speed on I-80 in Pennsylvania. The client sustained a right tibia fracture, a broken left foot, facial fractures, a neck fracture, and a diffuse mild brain injury. After a highly contested, seven-week trial, the firm won a verdict of $3 million including a $500,000 punitive damage portion. This client’s award was part of a $5.05 million verdict for four passengers whom Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers represented. (Luzerne County, PA client/lawsuit tried in Philadelphia, PA)
$675,000 for Injured Passenger with Limited Tort
As a passenger in a PA Turnpike highway crash, a client suffered neck, back and shoulder injuries that did not require surgery. Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers overcame the fact that this client had an insurance policy with limited tort and obtained this substantial recovery.
$600,000 Settlement for Injured Couple
Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers’s clients, an injured husband and wife, recovered all available insurance from multiple insurance companies. The husband sustained a neck injury and mild traumatic brain injury, and the wife sustained a back injury. (Meadville, PA client)
$575,000 Settlement for Shickshinny, PA Client
A client sustained a significant neck injury when her car was T-boned. She required two surgeries to her neck. Our client had limited tort insurance at the time of this crash. Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers settled the case after extensive litigation. (Nanticoke, PA crash/lawsuit filed in Luzerne County, PA)
Getting Legal Help After Suffering Neck Injuries
A neck injury can change a person’s life. Aside from unexpected medical bills, lost wages, and other financial burdens, the injury could require surgery and may never fully feel better. Speaking with an experienced lawyer will not change what happened, but it can be the first step toward recovering for related bills, pain and suffering, and more.
If you sustained a neck injury, call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers for a free, no-obligation case review. Even if you have limited tort insurance coverage and heard you cannot file a claim, we want to speak with you. Our firm may be able to find an exception so limited tort does not apply to you.
Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers has helped more than 25,000 Pennsylvania crash victims over the past 25+ years. We have recovered millions of dollars for clients across the state, including those who were told by other lawyers or insurance representatives that they were not entitled to compensation due to limited tort or how their accident occurred. Contact us if you suffered neck injuries in a vehicle collision. A Pennsylvania car crash lawyer from our team will explain how we can help.
