Average Settlement for Car Accident Back and Neck Injury in Salt Lake City

If You’re Hurting After a Crash, You’re Not Alone — But You Shouldn’t Be Underpaid

Not all injuries are visible—and not all insurance settlements reflect what you’re really going through.

Back and neck injuries from car accidents are some of the most common claims in Utah. They’re also some of the most undervalued. If you’re dealing with pain, medical bills, or time off work, understanding what your claim might be worth is the first step toward getting the full compensation you deserve.

This guide breaks down what influences settlement value in Salt Lake City, what insurers often won’t tell you, and how hiring the right attorney can make all the difference.

Average Settlement Ranges for Back and Neck Injuries in Utah

Settlements for back and neck injuries vary widely, but typical ranges in Utah look like this:

• Mild soft tissue injuries (like whiplash): $10,000 to $25,000
• Moderate injuries (herniated discs, nerve impingement): $25,000 to $75,000
• Severe injuries (surgery, spinal damage, permanent pain): $100,000 to $500,000+
• Catastrophic spinal injuries or paralysis: $500,000 to several million

If that sounds like a big range, that’s because no two cases are the same. Your specific medical situation, your ability to work, and even the type of insurance coverage involved can dramatically impact your settlement.

Factors That Influence Your Back or Neck Injury Settlement

Several key elements go into calculating the value of your injury claim. In our Salt Lake City cases, these are often the biggest drivers of payout amounts:

1. The Severity of Your Injury

Back and neck injuries can range from mild strain to major trauma. Insurance companies—and juries—place more value on:

• MRI-confirmed disc herniations
• Surgeries (e.g., spinal fusion, discectomy)
• Nerve damage or radiculopathy
• Chronic pain conditions that require ongoing care

The more serious and lasting your injury, the higher your claim may be worth.

2. Your Total Medical Expenses

All past and future medical costs should be factored into your settlement:

• Ambulance and ER care
• Imaging (MRIs, CT scans, X-rays)
• Physical therapy and chiropractic treatment
• Pain management (including injections)
• Surgery and rehabilitation
• Prescription medications

3. Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity

If your injuries kept you out of work—or made it impossible to return to your job—you may be entitled to:

• Back pay for missed time at work
• Future lost earnings or reduced earning capacity
• Compensation for job retraining or long-term disability

4. Pain and Suffering Damages

Insurance companies don’t always advertise it, but Utah law allows you to recover for non-economic damages like:

• Physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Anxiety or PTSD from the accident
• Loss of enjoyment of life

These damages often multiply the value of your medical expenses—especially in cases of permanent impairment.

5. Who Was at Fault—and by How Much

Utah follows a modified comparative fault system. That means:

• You can still recover damages if you were less than 50% at fault
• Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault

If you’re 10% responsible, your total payout is reduced by 10%. Proving low or zero liability is a key part of maximizing your settlement.

How Insurance Companies Undervalue Back and Neck Injuries

Here’s the truth: insurance companies know back and neck injuries are hard to see on an X-ray and often harder to prove. That’s why they use these common tactics:

• Calling your injuries “just soft tissue damage”
• Claiming your pain is from a pre-existing condition
• Rushing you to settle before you’ve finished treatment
• Offering lowball settlements hoping you’re desperate

That’s why you should never settle without talking to a lawyer—especially if you’re still in pain or undergoing treatment.

How Long Will My Settlement Take?

Some cases resolve in a matter of months. Others take longer—especially if you need surgery or there’s a dispute over liability.

On average:

• Simple claims may resolve in 3–6 months
• Moderate injuries often take 6–12 months
• Severe cases involving litigation may take over a year

At Benjamin Durham Law Firm, we won’t rush your claim—but we also don’t let insurance companies drag things out. We push for fair compensation as efficiently as possible.

What Can a Car Accident Lawyer in Salt Lake City Do for You?

When you hire Benjamin Durham Law Firm, here’s what you can expect:

• We investigate your crash and gather solid evidence of fault
• We organize your medical records and bring in expert testimony
• We negotiate with insurance adjusters on your behalf
• We calculate your total damages—not just your bills
• We take your case to trial if necessary

We know how the system works—and we know how to beat it when it works against you.

Back or Neck Pain After a Crash? Let’s Talk About What You’re Really Owed.

Don’t rely on Google to tell you what your case is worth. Every injury is unique. Every insurance policy is different. Every case deserves personal attention.

At Benjamin Durham Law Firm, we help car accident victims across Salt Lake City, West Valley, Draper, Sandy, and throughout Utah. We’ll sit down with you, review your injuries, and give you honest, experienced guidance—for free.

Call us now to schedule your no-obligation consultation. We only get paid if we win.