What Is the Average Settlement for Whiplash in a Car Accident?

The question “What is the average settlement for a whiplash injury in a car accident?” is not always relevant. Whiplash victims don’t receive compensation based on average figures but upon their unique whiplash claims.

Average whiplash settlements—from $10,000 to $100,000— are not published nor especially helpful. Our trusted car accident law firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, can determine the value of your  unique case.

Average Settlements for Whiplash in a Car Accident

What Is Whiplash?

According to the National Library of Medicine, whiplash—Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD)— is an acceleration-deceleration mechanism that transfers energy to the neck, often occurring in rear-end or side-impact collisions, diving, or similar accidents. This impact can cause injuries to bones or soft tissue and lead to various clinical symptoms, treated with physical therapy and other medical treatments.

What Are the Types of Whiplash?

Classification of patients with whiplash is based on severity and symptoms:

• Grade 0: No complaints about the neck. No physical sign(s).
• Grade 1: Neck pain, stiffness or tenderness only. No physical sign(s).
• Grade 2: Neck complaint AND musculoskeletal sign(s), including decreased range of motion and point tenderness.
• Grade 3: Neck complaint AND neurological sign(s), including decreased range of motion and point tenderness.
• Grade 4: Severe injuries with neck pain AND fracture or dislocation.

What Is My Whiplash Injury Claim Worth?

Each whiplash injury settlement is unique. Settlement values can be based on:

• The severity of your whiplash—a Grade 2 injury is likely to receive a lower settlement than a Grade 4 injury.
• Whether you suffered additional injuries
• The cost of your medical treatment
• Your employment status and how your injuries affect your work
• The amount of property damage from your accident
• Your unique response to injury

What Are the Possible Symptoms of Whiplash?

Per Mayo Clinic, whiplash may cause:

• Pain
• Neck stiffness
• Deep headaches
• Tenderness in the neck and upper extremities
• Loss of sensation in the arms
• Fatigue
• Vision problems
• Loss of concentration
• Limited range of motion
• Sleep disturbances
• Diminished mood and even depression

Recoverable Losses in a Whiplash Settlement

When your whiplash injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, your whiplash claim may seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses including past and future medical bills
• Lost income
• Lost earning power
• Depression
• Lost quality of life 
• Property damage

How Do Whiplash Victims Seek Compensation?

Clients with whiplash injuries can hire an experienced personal injury attorney who can:

• Compile and review medical records and bills, collaborate with medical experts, and provide a comprehensive overview of your injuries.
• Hire experts to reconstruct accidents and testify about whiplash causes.
• Manage the legal details of a personal injury claim, including paperwork, phone calls, and correspondence.
• Handle the insurance company and other lawyers to safeguard your interests.
• Secure maximum compensation for you, whether through insurance, settlement, or judgment.

Call the Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers to Discuss Your Whiplash Injury Case

Do not wait to get help from our personal injury attorneys for your neck injury.

Whiplash can cause long-term problems, and Illinois law limits your time to secure fair compensation for whiplash injury cases. 735 ILCS 5/13-202 generally allows you to file a personal injury case within two years of your car accident. Though there are exceptions, you should not wait to call our team.

Contact our law firm today for a free consultation. We will outline your legal options and answer your questions.