How much compensation for back injury car accident am I likely to receive?
The amount of compensation for back injury car accident that you are eligible for depends on several elements. The first is obviously the severity of your injury, and back injuries can vary, of course, from moderately inconvenient to complete incapacitation. A solicitor will also, however, take several factors into account when assisting their client with their back injury claim.
Something that should be considered is if there is any dispute over liability, for even if you were only partly to blame for the accident which caused your injuries, how much compensation for back injury car accident you receive will be affected. If it can be shown that your contribution to the extent of your injuries was that you were not wearing a seatbelt, your compensation value could be reduced by 25%.
Professional medical practitioners have recognised that almost every person who has been involved in a serious car crash will be affected on some level by post-traumatic stress disorder. A solicitor will consider this factor when compiling your compensation claim and may recommend a psychological evaluation to determine that your quantifiable emotional trauma is attributable to the accident.
Another factor of a compensation for back injury car accident claim is for your “loss of amenity”, which refers to the negative impact the effects of your injury have had on your quality of life. Perhaps you can no longer perform day-to-day tasks without experiencing pain, for example, or you can no longer partake in a social or leisure activity you once enjoyed.
The extent of your injury may also have an adverse effect on your financial situation if you have to spend time away from work, for example. You may also incur out-of-pocket costs if you need to employ help to care for children or elderly relatives, or use public transport if you are unable to drive. Medical expenses for rehabilitation and physiotherapy may also be included in a compensation claim for a back injury.
You would always be well advised to consult a solicitor, because of the number of variables in a compensation for back injury car accident claim. A solicitor will be able to advice you on the amount of compensation you should expect to receive – once they have been made aware of all of the facts – information which could prove to be useful if the Injuries Board makes an unsatisfactory assessment of your claim or if you are approached by the negligent party’s insurance company with an unsolicited offer of early settlement.