What’s a Good Settlement for Whiplash in Pennsylvania?

Whiplash is a common injury that often occurs in car accidents. In many cases, the injury is painful but eventually heals with minimal medical intervention. In less common cases, whiplash can lead to debilitating and long-lasting pain and complications. Your settlement should reflect the magnitude of your injuries.

A good settlement is somewhat subjective and will be unique in each case. Generally, most people consider a settlement “good” if it adequately compensates for their economic losses and addresses their non-economic injuries. Again, whether your settlement is good enough depends on your situation and what you want from your case. Your attorney can help you negotiate the best possible settlement.

For a private case assessment for no charge, call The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 and speak to our Philadelphia personal injury attorneys.

How Do I Know a Settlement is Good Enough for Whiplash Injuries in Pennsylvania?

It is hard to know whether a settlement is good enough, and you should review any offer with your lawyer before accepting or rejecting it.

Economic Costs

The first consideration is your economic costs. The more money you lose because of the accident, the greater the settlement should be. For example, if you have high medical bills because of your whiplash injuries, your settlement should at least cover these costs completely.

Since whiplash injuries tend to heal with minimal medical intervention, you might not claim much in the way of cost other than property damage and lost income. Even so, these damages may be substantial, especially if your injuries are quite painful and prevent you from working for a long time.

Consider Pain and Suffering

Next, our Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys must consider the more subjective elements of your case, like pain and suffering. Even though whiplash injuries are often regarded as less serious, at least medically, they can be very painful. Many victims live with chronic pain in their head, neck, shoulders, and back for weeks or months after the accident. In severe cases, victims may live with pain indefinitely.

The longer your pain lasts and the more it interferes with your ability to love your life, the greater your settlement should be.

Does the Settlement Help?

Ultimately, it is up to you whether a settlement offer is good enough. You should think about whether the offered settlement actually helps you. Does it adequately cover your costs and damages? Can you recover from your injuries without having to worry about bills or money? If the answer is no, the settlement might not be a good one.

How Do I Prepare for Settlement Negotiations for Whiplash Injuries?

The best way to get a good settlement for whiplash injuries is to be as prepared as possible for negotiations.

Investigate for Evidence

First, we must find the best evidence possible to prove your claims. This may include photos and videos from the accident scene, witness testimony, and medical records about your whiplash injuries. While we do not necessarily need all possible evidence, we should have enough to demonstrate to the defendant that your claims are strong and warrant fair compensation.

Evaluate Costs and Damages

To get a good settlement, we need to know what your claims are really worth. Whiplash injuries may not entail high economic costs. Medical costs may be low, and minor accidents with minimal vehicle damage may result in serious whiplash injuries. Even so, your pain and distress from your injuries may warrant substantial compensation.

Explore Insurance Options

What does insurance say your injuries are worth? We may explore insurance options before beginning settlement negotiations, and insurance can be a good indicator of the value of your claims. Unfortunately, insurance coverage may be restricted by policy terms, conditions, and limitations.

Ideally, the defendant should offer a settlement that is at least equal to what insurance might pay, and your lawyer can leverage for more compensation for damages insurance might not cover.

FAQs About Settlements for Whiplash in Pennsylvania

What is a Good Settlement for Whiplash Worth?

The value of a good settlement will vary based on your needs. In short, a good settlement should cover most, if not all, of your financial expenses from the accident. Ideally, you should not be left with unpaid debts that you cannot afford. A good settlement should also address any serious non-economic injuries, like pain and suffering.

How Do I Know the Value of My Claims for Whiplash?

Your attorney should help you accurately determine what your claims and damages are worth. You may add up the costs of the accident, including medical bills, vehicle repairs, other property damage, and income you have lost from being unable to work. Claims for pain and suffering may be more subjective, and their worth may be unique to you and your specific circumstances.

What Evidence Do I Need to Get a Good Settlement for Whiplash?

Evidence to help you get a good settlement may include evidence directly from the scene of the accident, including photos and videos. We also need copies of your medical records related to your whiplash injuries. You should also document the pain of your injuries in a diary or journal that we can use to support claims for pain and suffering.

What Happens During Settlement Negotiations in a Whiplash Case?

During settlement negotiations, the plaintiff, the defendant, and their attorneys will review evidence and information about the case and negotiate a potential settlement for the defendant to pay. Anything said during settlement negotiations, including admission of wrongdoing from the defendant, is privileged and may not be used in court if you end up going to trial.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Good Settlement for Whiplash Injuries?

Settlement negotiations can be fast or slow. In cases where the evidence is strong and the defendants are cooperative, settlement negotiations may take days or weeks to complete. In more complex cases where the evidence is more vigorously disputed or defendants are less willing to compromise, negotiations may take much longer.

What if the Defendant Refuses to Offer a Good Settlement for Whiplash Injuries?

If the defendant simply refuses to offer a good enough settlement, we may reject whatever they do offer and take the case to a full trial. In some cases, defendants are more willing to offer a better settlement once they realize they are likely to lose in court. In other cases, plaintiffs will only receive the compensation they need from a jury verdict.

Contact Our Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorneys for Help

For a private case assessment for no charge, call The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 and speak to our West Chester, PA personal injury attorneys.