Neck and Back Injuries Due to Car Accidents in St. Louis, Missouri

By The Cagle Law Firm | March 24, 2025 | Car Accidents, News

When you are in a car accident, just about any part of your body can be injured. Injuries can be anything from broken bones, spine injuries and traumatic brain injuries.  Due to the way we sit in motor vehicles, a common injury is the spine.   There are a couple of really important things to remember about spine injuries. One, they can be more serious than you think and two, you need medical treatment, immediately.

If you are lucky, then you are not injured and just have an inconvenient property damage claim.  If you are hurt, seek medical treatment immediately. Despite what many think, there is not a separate process of seeking medical treatment after a car accident just because it was a car accident. If you have pain in your neck or your back, go to the emergency room.  At minimum, the ER will do complete a x-ray and make sure you do not have any fractures and they will probably prescribe some medication to assist with healing.   In the best case scenario, you are sore for a few days due to muscle strain and sprain. However, many serious spine injuries begin in a very similar way.  When you do not naturally feel better in a few days, seeking medical treatment is critical.

Some Common Back and Neck Injuries in Car Accidents–Soft Tissue Injuries

The term “whiplash” is very overused and commonly misunderstood.  Whiplash refers to your neck, neck strain or any injury that occur other than a fracture/broken bone. Victims can have “fractures” that are not life-threatening and then there are “complete fractures” that can result in serious injuries such as paralysis and death. If you experience neck and back pain after a car accident, you should seek immediate medical treatment.

Herniated or ruptured discs are also common in car accidents and result in severe pain, weakness in your limbs and numbness. These injuries occur when the spinal discs are damaged, causing the inner material of the disc  to protrude and press on nearby nerves. Herniated discs can be a lifelong and life-changing injury if not addresses. Of course, this article is meant for basic descriptions and not to be a substitute for medical professional’s diagnosis.  We have literally had 100’s of clients with herniated or bulging discs due to car accidents. Each one is a little different but they are painful.

Again, these injuries can be permanent and life-changing  While these injuries are considered “soft tissue”, they should not be confused with “less serious”.  More often than not, disc injuries require a great deal of medical treatment and often, require surgery.  Spinal cord injuries are more rare and among the most serious of back injuries.

Average Settlement Ranges for Back and Neck Injuries

We have found that there is not a formula for average settlements.  National averages range from $15,000 to over $100,000.  Each case and person is unique and each person’s recovery is different.  You cannot actually find an “average” estimate for your injury like you can shop for car insurance rates.  Herniated disc injuries are often expensive simply because they require a great deal of treatment including MRI’s, physical therapy, injections and often–surgery.  Surgeries that involve spinal fusion or disc replacement are expensive.  Catastrophic injuries such as multiple spine fusions, paralysis, and limb loss and can result in millions of dollars in loss. Ultimately, it depends on which party was at fault for the crash, whether there is insurance coverage and the severity of the injury.

You will want to consult a lawyer to assist you in building a case and assessing your damages.

Damages

Victims of neck and back injuries due to car accidents can claim various types of damages. Damages include economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages: Economic damages usually focus on medical expenses which include imaging, diagnostics, treatments, surgeries and long-term care.   Medical bills are economic damages, meaning they can be measured.

Lost wages due to inability to work are also part of economic damages. If your injury prevents you from working permanently, your lost wage claim can be high.   Economic damages are important as they cover the tangible costs of your injury and assist in covering the expenses.

Non-Economic Damages:  Non-economic damages are more subjective and cover the intangible losses of your injury. These damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.  The physical and emotional impact of your injuries are considered when determining compensation for pain and suffering.

It can be difficult to assess damages on your own or know exactly how to support your claim.  A skilled attorney can assist you in building your case and arguing your case against the insurance carrier in a settlement or litigation.

Proving Your Back and Neck Injury Case in St. Louis

Proving the degree of your injury case requires thorough documentation of your medical treatment while providing a clear connection of the injury to the car accident.  As a plaintiff in an injury case, you have the burden of proof which means you must prove the car accident caused your injury and damages.  Immediate medical treatment is crucial after a car accident helps establish this connection.  If hurt, do not put of seeking medical treatment. Most importantly, failure to get medical help could decrease your ability to best heal and recover.  As well, if you have a gap in treatment or a delay, it gives an insurance company ammunition to say you were not hurt or failed to care for yourself thus they are not responsible.

Gathering evidence from the accident scene such as witness statements and photos are usually difficult to do on your own when hurt.  In some crashes, an “accident reconstruction” may need to occur. Accident reconstructions are required across the state of Missouri when a fatality is involved. However,  our attorneys often involve reconstructionist experts to do inspections and downloads of vehicles.

Medical treatment and doctor testimony is really important in proving your injury case.  When you have been seriously injured, there is a great deal of medical treatment. An experienced lawyer knows how to build your injury story and supporting medical expert testimony to truly reflect the extent of your injuries and establish permanency if it exists. Most often, serious injuries have a permanence factor that an insurance adjuster or defense attorney will not automatically attribute.  The process of proving your claim including fault for the crash and the resulting injuries can be a complex process.  Our attorneys at The Cagle Law Firm have been trusted to share our client’s experiences whether in mediation or litigation.

Call our experienced attorneys toll free 1.800.685.3302 or locally 314.276.1681

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