Another driver’s negligence may cause you to suffer a neck injury in a car accident or other types of accident.
If this happens, you may be able to get compensation.
Two Most Common Objective Neck Injuries
The two (2) most common objective neck injuries are herniated discs and bulging discs. I want to take a look at each one of these.
Herniated Disc Settlement Values in Florida Accidents
I’ve written several articles about herniated disc claims in Florida. These include:
- tips for your case if you are claiming that a car, truck or motorcycle crash caused your herniated disc.
- your case if you are claiming that a slip, trip or fall caused your herniated disc.
Bulging Discs
If someone’s negligence caused your bulging disc in a Florida accident, learn more about the settlement value.
Driver Gets $100,000 for Neck and Other Injuries
See a $100,000 settlement for a lady hit by a car in North Miami Beach. She said the crash aggravated her pre-existing:
- C3-4 bulging annulus, which abuts the ventral thecal sac.
C5-6, posterior central disk bulge, which abuts the ventral thecal sac.
The MRI showed straightening of the normal cervical lordosis.
She also had a back injury, and broke her nose. GEICO paid its $100,000 BI insurance limits shortly after the crash.
I represented her.
Driver Gets $100,000 for Herniated Disc in Neck
See a $100,000 settlement for a client who claimed a herniated disc when his car hit a truck that cut him off in Homestead, Florida.
Driver Gets $95,000 for Neck Injury from Car Accident
A driver hit my client.
Other Driver Arrested for DUI
The careless driver was arrested for DUI.
My client was diagnosed with a herniated disc. GEICO insured the DUI driver.
Surgery Was Recommended
Surgery was recommended but my client did not want to have surgery. My client did not miss any work as a result of this accident.
Cases where a drunk driver causes an accident are worth more than cases where the at-fault driver was simply careless. This is because a jury can award punitive damages in addition to general damages.
Juries often are bothered that a drunk driver caused an accident.
Lyft Passenger Gets $70,000 Settlement for Neck and Other Injuries
A passenger of a Lyft car was hurt when a driver of another car caused the crash. It happened in Miami Shores, Dade County, Florida.
The passenger claimed that the crash caused his neck pain and other injuries.
GEICO insured the other car’s driver. GEICO paid its $25,000 bodily injury liability limits to settle the claim.
The Lyft driver’s car had underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance with Zurich. Zurich paid the passenger $45,000 under its UIM insurance coverage to settle the UIM claim.
I represented the passenger.
Pedestrian Gets $70,000 for Neck Injury and Other Injuries
See my case where a pedestrian who was hit by a car got $70,000 for a neck injury, tibial plateau fracture, sacrum fracture, back injury and a shoulder injury (shoulder impingement).
Motorcycle Rider Gets $52,000 for Neck and other Injuries
I represented a motorcycle/scooter rider who was in a crash. It happened in North Miami Beach. He injured his eye, and had other injuries.
Driver Gets $39,000 for Neck Pain from Car Accident
A 37-year-old man was driving his pickup truck in Pinecrest, Florida. A car ran a stop sign and hit him.
He claimed that this accident caused or worsened his herniated discs. He had steroid injections.
Before this crash, he had pain in his back and neck. He had received a lot of treatment for that pain before the wreck.
GEICO paid $20,000 of the personal injury settlement. Star and Shield (NARS) paid $19,000. The total settlement was for $39,000.
$25,000 Settlement for Aggravation of Pre-Existing Neck Injury and Other Pain
I got a $25,000 settlement for a client who claimed that a car crash caused his neck pain. Another driver was cited for careless driving.
My client also complained of pain in his shoulder, wrist, back, knees and ankles. The careless driver was uninsured. My client had uninsured motorist (UM) coverage with USAA.
USAA paid $25,000. The accident happened in from Key Largo, Monroe County, Florida.
Driver Gets $25,000 for Neck and Back Injuries
See why a driver got $25,000 after a pickup truck rear ended in South Miami (near Kendall). He claimed that the crash caused or aggravated his neck and back injuries.
Driver Settles Neck Pain, Car Accident Claim for $21,000
GEICO paid $21,000 to a driver who was hit from behind. He claimed that the accident caused or aggravated his neck pain and soft tissue injuries.
The crash happened in Coconut Grove, Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Driver Gets $20,000 for Neck Pain and Other Injuries
See a $20,000 settlement where a driver claimed that a car accident caused her neck pain and other injuries. Another driver made an improper lane change and crashed into her SUV.
She also claimed that the accident caused or worsened her herniated disc, ACL sprain/tear and more.
Driver Gets $20,000 for Neck and Other Injuries from Truck Crash
See a case where a driver got $20,000 after a truck hit him. The accident happened in Homestead, Florida.
He claimed a concussion, and soft tissue injuries to his shoulder and spine. He also claimed that he lost sensation in his fingertip.
Lady Gets $20,000 for Neck Injury from Being Rear Ended
A woman was rear ended by a car. Progressive insured the car whose driver was cited for reckless driving.
My client, a mother and wife, received chiropractic care for her personal injury. An MRI of her neck revealed a disc protrusion (herniation) which indented on the ventral (spinal) cord.
She also had multilevel disc bulges. The chiropractor stated that she should meet with an orthopedic doctor to discuss having neck surgery.
Her daughter and mother were also in her car. I also settled her daughter’s car crash claim for $10,000. (M.D.)
Driver Gets $20,000 for Neck Pain and other Injuries from Palmetto Bay Car Crash
My client was driving her car. A careless driver hit her in Palmetto Bay, Florida.
My client claimed she had neck pain, fibromyalgia, and other injuries. GEICO paid me $20,000 to settle.
$17,000 Settlement for Herniated Disc in Neck from Car Crash
Learn about a lady in her early 20’s who got a $17,000 settlement after another driver rear ended her. She claimed the crash caused two herniated discs (one in her neck).
Passenger Gets $14,000 for Neck and Other Injuries from Rollover Crash
A passenger was in an SUV being driven near West Miami and Coral Gables. A pickup truck driver crashed into him.
The impact send her car into a street light. It then rolled over.
The other driver was arrested for drunk driving. Progressive insured his pickup truck.
He claimed that the accident caused his neck and back pain. Progressive paid $15,000 to settle this case.
I represented the passenger.
$10K Settlement with GEICO for Neck Pain from Car Accident (Fort Lauderdale)
Watch this video, where my client talks about his case:
On April 22, 2018, my client was in his car. He was stopped at a light in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida. A drunk driver hit him.
The drunk driver was driving his mom’s car. GEICO insured the car. My client had neck and lower back pain. Here is the crash diagram:
This is a photo of my client’s car after the accident:
He had three herniated discs in his neck. He had one herniated disc in his lower back.
In this injury case, it took GEICO 37 days from the date of accident to print the check. They quickly sent it. GEICO paid us the owner’s $10,000 BIL insurance limits. Here is the actual settlement check:
I like cases with GEICO when their insured is arrested for drunk driving. This is because we can also make a claim for punitive damages. Thus, when calculating how much the case is worth, I add value for this.
You can read more about this $10,000 settlement. Here is a photo of Jeremy and I.
Lady Gets $10,000 for Neck Pain and Other Injuries from Broward Car Crash
See a case where a lady got a $10,000 settlement after a driver crashed into her and left the scene. She claimed neck, back, shoulder and hip pain.
Man Hit by Mini Van Gets $8,000 for Neck Pain and Other Injuries
Our client was standing in a car dealership parking lot in Miami-Dade County, Florida. A mini van backed up and hit him at an idle speed.
Our client’s knees buckled and he fell to the ground. He complained of lower back pain.
A few months prior to this accident, he had knee surgery. Immediately after this accident, he complained of knee pain. He did not have any swelling in his knee.
Miami-Dade Fire rescue came to the scene. Our client walked to the ambulance stretcher. He was put on a backboard.
Paramedics Put Neck Collar on the Injured Man
The paramedics put a neck collar on our client. They transported him to Homestead Hospital.
State Farm Insured the Driver
The driver said that he barely hit our client. He said that if contact was made, it was at a very low-speed.
Our client received therapy for several months after the accident. The final diagnosis was:
- Lumbar sprain/strain
- Cervical sprain/strain (Resolved).
- Sprain/strain of the knee
- Contusion to the knee
- Residual Lumbalgia
- Knee injury complicated by prior injury and surgery
- Patellar Dysfunction
Driver Gets $7,500 Settlement for Neck Sprain from Minor Crash
For our client, a driver, who was injured. A hit and run driver hit his car and fled the scene.
Our client’s first medical appointment was about seven days after the crash. He was diagnosed with a Cervical sprain-strain, Thoracic sprain-strain and lumbar sprain-strain.
About 1 month later, he had an MRI of the cervical spine. It showed a C5-C6 paracentral disk protrusion, moderate in size, compressing upon the thecal sac.
He treated for four months from the date of the accident. At the end of his treatment, the diagnosis was a lumbar strain.
I argued to the insurance company that punitive damages would be awarded since the negligent driver fled the accident scene.
An injured victim may be able to get punitive damages if the car that hits him or her leaves the accident scene. Metlife insured the careless driver
$1.9 Million Verdict for Neck Surgery from Car Crash
This isn’t my case. See this case where a jury awarded $1.9 million to a car crash victim. The car crash was in Orange County, Florida.
The injured person had a:
- cervical discectomy and a three (3) level disc replacement
- cervical discogram
- epidural steroid injections to the neck and back
Man Wins $2.13 Million for Back and Neck Injuries
This isn’t my case. In January 2010, McCoy sued Rasinski for negligence after an automobile accident in Seminole County, Florida.
The jury returned a verdict finding Rasinski 100% liable for the accident and awarding McCoy $2,130,000 in damages. The evidence established that McCoy suffered permanent injuries to his neck and back from the accident.
The verdict breakdown was:
- $160,000 for past medical expenses
- $10,000 for past lost earnings
- $500,000 for future medical expenses
- $260,000 for lost earning capacity
- $200,000 for past pain and suffering
- $1,000,000 for future pain and suffering
In Rasinski v. McCoy, Fla: Dist. Court of Appeals, 5th Dist. 2017, the appeals court said that McCoy failed to demonstrate that he “was completely disabled from further gainful employment” or that he “was unable to work to the same age he would have otherwise.
The appeals court ordered the trial court to reduce the future earning damages, or have a new trial on the future earning damages.
Rasinski Couldn’t Claim his Healthcare’s Providers Lien Because it Released Its Lien and Waived Subrogation
McCoys health insurer paid $25,037.56 of McCoy’s healthcare provider bills. The health insurer released its lien and waived subrogation. Rasinski used an expert witness to argue that McCoy’s medical bills were unreasonably high. The jury awarded a reduced verdict for McCoy’s medical bills.
Since the health insurer released its $25,037.56 lien and waived subrogation (its right to get paid back), the court reduced the verdict for past medical bills by $25,037.56.
$1,000,000+ Verdict for C4-C5 (Neck) Herniated Disc in Palm Beach County, Florida Car Crash
This isn’t my case. Learn about this $1,000,000+ verdict for a driver who claimed a C4-C5 herniated disc after he was hit from behind in Palm Beach County, Florida.
He didn’t have surgery. $350,000 of the verdict was for pain and suffering.
Man Wins $441,000 for Herniated Disc in Neck and Other Injuries
A man claimed that a head on car crash caused his herniated a disc in his neck and lower back. He also claimed erectile dysfunction and a spinal cord bruise. $210,000 was for past and future pain and suffering.
The careless driver who caused the crash was driving an uninsured motor vehicle. The injured man sued his uninsured motorist insurer, Allstate.
The case is Allstate Insurance Company v. Marotta, 125 So. 3d 956 – Fla: Dist. Court of Appeals, 4th Dist. 2013.
Jury Awards Royal Caribbean Employee $192,000 for Pain and Suffering
Not actual ship from case.See why a jury awarded a Royal Caribbean Cruise Line employee $192,000 for pain and suffering for:
- a compressed nerve in her neck
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- a performed a median nerve neurotomy, neurolysis and exploration
She was hurt while working.
Car Crash Victim Wins $211,000 for Back, Neck and Ankle Injuries
This isn’t my case. See why a jury awarded a Lee County, Florida car crash victim $211,000 for his neck, back and ankle injuries. He sued the sheriff and State Farm.
$220K Settlement for Cervical Disc (C4-C5) Herniation from Car Accident
This isn’t my case. In 2012, a 31 year old teacher was driving a car in Boynton Beach when was hit by a car that ran a red light.
She was taken to the hospital and complained of neck pain. Her orthopedic diagnosed her with a cervical (neck) disc herniation at C4-5.
She treated with a chiropractor. She complained of neck pain.
The jury, in Broward County, found that she had a permanent injury.
She was given $100,00 in pain and suffering. $80,000 of that amount was for future pain and suffering, and $20,000 was for past pain and suffering.
The jury awarded her $100,000 for future medical treatment. She was awarded $20,000 for past medical treatment which reflects the fact that she did not treat that much.
My thoughts: The $100,000 that she was awarded in pain and suffering for the herniated disc is about $25,000 more than the average settlement range that I use as a starting point for the pain and suffering component of a herniated disc.
She is expected to leave another 45 years or so. The jury basically awarded her $2,000 of pain and suffering for each year for the rest of her life.
Lady Gets $180,000 for Epidurals to Her Neck; Only 15k for Pain and Suffering
She was awarded $30,000 in past medical expenses, $100,000 in future medical expenses, $30,000 in lost earning capacity, and $5,000 in lost household services.
See this $180,000 verdict for epidural injections to the neck after a car crash in a Florida Walmart parking lot.
Harder to Get Money For Neck Pain than Fractures in Car Crash Cases
It may be more difficult to get pain and suffering damages in a neck injury case than if you have a broken bone, such as a wrist fracture or knee fracture. This is because you have to prove that your neck pain was caused by the crash.
Some Doctors Will Say Neck Pain is Not Related to Car Accident
Some doctors will say that long term neck pain isn’t related to a wreck. On the other hand, most doctors will agree that a fracture is caused by a crash.
How is a Case Affected if a Neck Injury is From a Uber or Lyft Accident?
The biggest difference is that in Lyft or Uber accident claims there will be more insurance coverage. This should come as a big relief to injured people.
Uber and Lyft’s high insurance limits are great if the injured person has a serious neck injury.
What is Worth More in an Injury Case? Neck Pain or a Broken Bone
All things equal, a broken bone is usually worth more than neck pain. Therefore, a broken leg or fractured hand is usually worth more than neck pain. The same is true for other types of fractures.
This is, in part, because you can see a broken bone on an x-ray. Additionally, some people have a neck injury that is unrelated to an accident.
Did someone’s carelessness cause your neck injury or other injury in an accident in Florida, or on a cruise or boat?
See Our Settlements
Check out some of the many Florida injury cases that we have settled, including but not limited to car accidents, truck accidents, slip or trip and falls, motorcycle accidents, drunk driving (DUI) accidents, pedestrian accidents, drunk driving accidents, taxi accidents, bicycle accidents, store or supermarket accidents, cruise ship accidents and much more.
We want to represent you!
Our Miami law firm represents people injured anywhere in Florida in car accidents, truck accidents, slip, trip and falls, motorcycle accidents, bike accidents, drunk driving crashes, pedestrian accidents, accidents involving a Uber or Lyft Driver, cruise ship or boat accidents and many other types of accidents.
We want to represent you if you were injured in an accident in Florida, on a cruise ship or boat. If you live in Florida but were injured in another state we may also be able to represent you.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2013 and has been completely revamped and updated.