See average payouts for Alabama side-impact car accidents. Find examples of cases similar to yours.
Side-impact collisions, including T-bone collisions, sideswipe accidents, and other intersection collisions can cause life-threatening injuries. Nearly one out of four traffic fatalities arise from side-impact accidents.¹
Alabama side-impact cases have a median settlement amount of $32,500, not including property damage costs. Car accident payouts vary widely nationwide. Cases without injury often range from $5,000 to $25,000. Cases with injuries average $29,700.
Serious injuries lead to higher personal injury settlements. Factors that may limit your final payout include available insurance coverage, shared blame for the crash, and the number of victims injured in the accident.
Average Payouts for Alabama Side-Impact Collisions
All the case examples we used are from Alabama car accident claims that either settled or won a court award. Our averages don’t include claims that were denied by the insurance company or lost in court.
Average Payout by Severity of Injury |
|
|---|---|
| Minor Injury | $10,143 |
| Moderate Injury | $43,375 |
| Severe Injury | $197,402 |
Payout Range by Type of Injury |
|
| Soft-Tissue Injuries | $25,000 - $125,000 |
| Neck Injuries | $5,000 - $15,000 |
| Back Injuries | $0 - $137,000 |
| Head Injuries | $10,000 - $400,000* |
Factors Affecting Alabama Accident Payouts
The settlement value of your personal injury claim is directly related to the severity of your injuries. Side-impact collisions can cause serious injuries, especially to occupants on the side that took the hit.
Traumatic Injuries are High-Dollar Claims
Serious head and neck injuries can happen in a side-impact crash when your head is snapped back and forth or violently slammed into the side window. A long course of medical treatment is needed for traumatic brain injuries or a broken neck.
Side-impact crash victims may suffer multiple types of life-threatening injuries to the torso, including fractures ribs, hips, pelvis, and femur bones. Internal injuries, like a torn aorta, can be deadly. A ruptured spleen, punctured lung, or kidney damage may require surgical repair.
Trauma center care, emergency surgeries, and extensive rehabilitation expenses factor into a personal injury claim. Loss of past and future income must also be factored into the claim value.
Factors That Can Reduce Your Payout
The at-fault driver’s insurance coverage can be a limiting factor. Alabama insurance laws only require drivers to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage. Even if the at-fault driver carries higher limits, there may not be enough to compensate a catastrophic injury or wrongful death.
When multiple people are severely injured in a collision, the at-fault driver’s policy may not have enough coverage to pay the full value of everyone’s claim. The insurance company may file a legal action to ask the court to distribute the available funds.
Under Alabama’s pure contributory fault rules, drivers who share any blame for causing a crash can be barred from suing for compensation.
Juries in Alabama are allowed to award punitive damages when the circumstances leading to an accident were particularly shocking and careless. For example, you might be awarded punitive damages if you’re broadsided by a company truck operated by a drunk driver, and the company knew the driver had a history of drinking on the job.
Alabama laws limit punitive damages to three times your compensatory damages, or $1,500,000, whichever is higher.
Alabama Side-Impact Case Settlements
Most car accident injury claims are settled out of court by the at-fault driver’s insurance company, even after a lawsuit is filed. Settlement negotiations will continue between the insurance company and the victim’s personal injury attorney up until trial.
Auto insurance carriers try to avoid paying high-dollar claims, especially if the victim doesn’t have a lawyer. Serious injury claims often end up in litigation before the insurance company will make a reasonable offer.
Driver’s Side Impact Causes Neck Pain Radiating into Shoulders and Arms
Type of Injury: Pain in head and neck radiating into shoulders and arms; lower back pain and general bruises, contusions, and cuts
Severity Rating: Mild
Award/Settlement Amount: $5,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff, while in the line and scope of his employment with first Defendant, was traveling to various doctors’ offices to sell his employer’s products. Plaintiff alleged that second defendant, operating a vehicle owned by third Defendant, allowed his vehicle to strike the median curbing, cross the median into westbound traffic, and collide with the driver’s side of Plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff claimed he suffered pain in his head and neck radiating into shoulders and arms, lower back pain, bruises, contusions, cuts. Defendants generally denied liability for the car crash. The case settled in the sum of $5,000 for Plaintiff before trial.
Location: Etowah County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Maschmeier v. Pharmacia Corp, CV-04-253
Red Light Collision with General Soft Tissue Injuries
Type of Injury: Neck and shoulder injuries
Severity Rating: Mild
Award/Settlement Amount: $5,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was stopped for traffic at a controlled intersection. Plaintiff said that he had the green light and proceeded onward when Defendant, who was operating a vehicle owned by second Defendant failed to obey the signal and negligently allowed the vehicle he was operating to collide with Plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff said he sustained neck and shoulder injuries from the accident. In his complaint, Plaintiff sought to recover compensatory damages for medical expenses, lost wages and property damage. Plaintiff accepted Defendants’ settlement offer of $5,000 before trial.
Location: St. Clair County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Mulvehill v. Summers, CV-04-156
T-Bone Collision with Extensive Soft Tissue Injuries to Minor Passenger
Type of Injury: General Soft tissue injuries
Severity Rating: Moderate
Award/Settlement Amount: $40,000
Case Summary: Plaintiffs alleged that Defendant negligently t-boned Plaintiff’s vehicle in which minor Plaintiff was a passenger. Plaintiffs claimed that Defendant failed to yield the right-of-way. Plaintiffs claimed that defendant’s failure to maintain a proper lookout, careless and reckless operation of his vehicle was the proximate cause of the minor’s soft tissue injuries. Defendant admitted liability for causing this accident and agreed to settle Plaintiffs’ claims for $40,000. The settlement offer was accepted by Plaintiffs.
Location: Madison County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Gwathney v Valentine, CV-06-1981
Intersection Collision with Head and Brain Injuries, Multiple Fractures
Type of Injury: Closed head and brain injuries; Others-General numerous fractures and soft tissue injury
Severity Rating: Severe
Award/Settlement Amount: $100,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a non-party’s vehicle. Plaintiff claimed that Defendant was traveling west when Defendant failed to yield the right-of-way to Plaintiff’s host vehicle at an intersection, entered the non-party driver’s lane of travel and collided with Plaintiff’s host vehicle. The impact forced Plaintiff’s vehicle off the road, flipped, and landed upside down in a creek. Plaintiff claimed he sustained numerous fractures, severe head, neck, and brain injuries as well as soft tissue injuries. The case was resolved in a judgment of $100,000 for Plaintiff against Defendant.
Location: Madison County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Hopkins v. Loy, CV-07-1850
Left-Turn Collision with Neck, Chest, and Back Injuries
Type of Injury: Neck, chest, and back injuries
Severity Rating: Mild
Award/Settlement Amount: $11,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff and Defendant were involved in a motor vehicle accident at an intersection. According to Plaintiff, Defendant attempted to turn left at the intersection and negligently failed to yield the right of way to Plaintiff’s vehicle, resulting in a collision between the two vehicles. Plaintiff said he sustained neck, chest, and back injuries and incurred medical expenses totaling $6,356 as a direct result of the accident. Defendant admitted liability. Parties settled the claim in the sum of $11,000 for Plaintiff.
Location: Jefferson County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Richardson v. Watts, CV-08-1369
Left Turn Truck Collision with Back Injury and Fractured Spine
Type of Injury: Back injury-Fractured thoracic spine; injuries to cervical spine; shoulder pain
Severity Rating: Severe
Award/Settlement Amount: $137,009
Case Summary: Plaintiff and Defendant were operating their respective automobiles on intersecting streets. Plaintiff claimed that Defendant’s truck made a left turn in front of Plaintiff’s vehicle, causing a collision. Plaintiff fractured his thoracic spine; injured his cervical spine and suffered from pain in both shoulders. In their petition for settlement, the parties stated that Plaintiff’s treating doctor performed a fusion at C4-C5 and C5-C6. He found Plaintiff to be at maximum medical improvement two years following the accident and released him to return to work with a 10% impairment to the whole person and with no work restrictions. Defendant paid temporary total disability benefits of $16,792 and $120,217 in medical expenses.
Location: Jefferson County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Blackmon v. Cedar Creek, LLC, CV-2019-901460
Side-Impact Injury Court Awards
Insurance adjusters like to think of whiplash and other soft tissue injuries as a few bruises or sore muscles. But serious soft-tissue injuries can incapacitate someone for weeks or months with deep bruising, sprains, and contusions over a significant portion of their body.
Adjusters may dispute the severity of your injuries or the necessity of your medical treatment. They likely won’t tell you how much insurance coverage is available under the at-fault motorist’s insurance policy.
Don’t let the adjuster minimize your injuries or lowball your car insurance settlement. A good attorney will tell you if your case is worth taking to court. Most law firms offer free consultations to car accident victims and their families.
Failure to Yield Crash Results in Soft Tissue Injuries to Minor
Type of Injury: General Soft tissue injuries
Severity Rating: Mild
Award/Settlement Amount: $15,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was operating her vehicle, with her minor son riding as a passenger. Plaintiff claimed that while at an intersection, Defendant negligently allowed her vehicle to collide with Plaintiffs’ vehicle. Plaintiffs claimed that the minor sustained soft tissue injuries requiring chiropractic treatment. Defendant admitted liability at trial. Plaintiffs received $15,000 in compensatory damages from a bench verdict.
Location: Etowah County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Horton v. Edminister, CV-07-344
Stop Sign Collision with Knee Injuries and Headaches
Type of Injury: Left knee injuries; Other-headaches
Severity Rating: Mild
Award/Settlement Amount: $10,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was traveling West at approximately 25 miles per hour. As she approached an intersection, Plaintiff and Defendant’s vehicle collided. Plaintiff claimed that the stop sign which should have been at the intersection was on the ground and had been knocked down. There was a tree or bush interfering with her view as she entered the intersection. Plaintiff claimed she sustained injuries to her left knee and suffered from headaches. Plaintiff contended that Defendants were on notice of the fact that the stop sign at the intersection had been knocked down prior to the accident and failed to replace the sign. Jury awarded Plaintiff $10,000 in damages.
Location: Jefferson County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Perry v. Joseph, CV-08-1371
Intersection Crash Leave Minor Passenger with Head and Face Injuries
Type of Injury: Face, head, and neck injuries
Severity Rating: Mild
Award/Settlement Amount: $11,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving her vehicle with her minor son riding as a passenger. Defendant was driving his vehicle on a street that intersected the street Plaintiffs were on. Plaintiff claimed that Defendant negligently collided with Plaintiffs’ vehicle at the intersection. According to Plaintiff, Defendant failed to yield the right-of-way to Plaintiffs’ vehicle. Plaintiff said that she suffered injuries to her head while her son suffered face, head, and neck injuries. Defendant generally denied liability and contested the damages claimed by Plaintiffs. The Judge awarded $11,000 to Plaintiffs in a bench trial.
Location: Madison County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Childers v. Privett, CV-06-757
Left Turn Impact To Driver’s Side Causes Soft Tissue Injuries
Type of Injury: General Soft tissue injuries
Severity Rating: Moderate
Award/Settlement Amount: $25,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff alleged that she was traveling east when Defendant, who was also traveling on the same road, attempted to make a left turn onto a private drive and struck the driver side of Plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff claimed she suffered soft tissue injuries and emotional distress. Defendant admitted liability at trial. Plaintiff received $25,000 in compensatory damages from a bench verdict.
Location: Montgomery County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Poole v. Boleware, CV-03-628
Left Turn Collision with Broken Nose and Facial Laceration
Type of Injury: Head injury-broken nose and laceration above the lip
Severity Rating: Moderate
Award/Settlement Amount: $48,500
Case Summary: Plaintiff was involved in a motor vehicle accident that occurred at an intersection. Plaintiff claimed that Defendant made a left turn in front of Plaintiff’s vehicle, resulting in a collision. Plaintiff claimed the force of the impact caused him to smash his face against the steering wheel. As a result, he suffered a broken nose and a laceration above the lip. Plaintiff had surgery to repair the nose fracture. He claimed $4,200 in medical expenses and $500 in lost wages. Defendant admitted liability at trial. Jury returned a $48,500 verdict for Plaintiff.
Location: Jefferson County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Harris v. Murer, CV-99-6843
Intersection Collision with Broken Tooth and Soft Tissue Injuries
Type of Injury: Head injury-broken tooth; Other-general soft tissue injuries.
Severity Rating: Moderate
Award/Settlement Amount: $60,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff and Defendant were operating their respective vehicles near an intersection. Plaintiff alleged that Defendant Driver negligently allowed his vehicle to collide with her vehicle. Plaintiff also claimed that Co-Defendant negligently entrusted his vehicle to his son, Defendant Driver. Plaintiff claimed he suffered a broken tooth and soft tissue injuries. Defendants generally denied all allegations. Court awarded Plaintiff $60,000 in damages. Per Plaintiff’s Counsel, Defendants filed a Motion for new trial based on mention of an insurance company and settlement efforts in opening and closing statements. However, the motion was denied and case was closed.
Location: Marengo County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Smith v. Cox, CV-04-151
Sideswipe Collision with Extensive Body Bruises and Contusions
Type of Injury: Bruises and contusions to ribs, chest, shoulder, and pelvis
Severity Rating: Severe
Award/Settlement Amount: $125,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was as a passenger in a vehicle owned by Defendant and operated by Co-defendant Driver. Plaintiff claimed that Co-defendant Driver made an improper lane change when Defendant’s vehicle was sideswiped by a non-party driver, who was driving in the opposite direction. Plaintiff sustained bruises and contusions to ribs, chest, shoulder, and pelvis. Defendant denied negligent entrustment claim, contending that he was not aware that Co-defendant was driving the vehicle until the officers informed him that his vehicle had been involved in an accident. The jury returned a verdict for the Plaintiff, awarding him $4,900 for lost earnings and $120,100 for medical bills, related medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
Location: Jefferson County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Sherman vs. Johnson, CV-2:06-00100
Work Vehicle Crash with Closed Head Injury
Type of Injury: Head injury-Closed head injury
Severity Rating: Severe
Award/Settlement Amount: $225,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was involved in a motor vehicle accident at an intersection that was caused by Defendant Driver, who was driving a vehicle on behalf of his employer, Co-Defendant. Plaintiff claimed he sustained a closed head injury as a result of the accident, which resulted in the need for medical care and potential future surgery. The Defendants contested Plaintiff’s claims, including challenging the reasonableness and necessity of his claimed medical expenses. A jury found for the Plaintiff and awarded him $225,000.
Location: Blount County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Vazquez v. Saint, CV-2016-900004.08
Failure to Yield Collision with Concussion, Leg Fractures, Facial Injuries
Type of Injury: Leg injuries-Fractured right leg and sprained left leg; Head injury-concussion, lacerations, and bruises on face and forehead
Severity Rating: Severe
Award/Settlement Amount: $400,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff and Defendant were operating their respective vehicles on intersecting streets. Plaintiff alleged that Defendant negligently allowed his vehicle to collide with Plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff suffered a fractured right leg, concussion, sprained left leg, and lacerations and bruises on the face and forehead. Plaintiff contended that Defendant failed to yield the right-of-way to Plaintiff’s vehicle. Defendant vigorously disputed liability and accused Plaintiff of being comparatively liable for causing the accident. The Court returned $400,000 for Plaintiff plus court costs in a bench verdict.
Location: Lauderdale County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Jones v. Mansell, CV-06-126
Methodology
The settlements and court awards on this page are taken from real Alabama personal injury cases. We focus here on lawsuits filed by Plaintiffs who were injured in a side-impact collision.
In each of these cases, the injured victim either settled with the at-fault driver’s insurance company before going to trial, or proceeded to a bench or jury trial where they won an award. To avoid overstating settlement values, we used the highest amount awarded to one of the victims in a multi-plaintiff case.
The median settlement amount for all side-impact cases in our research population is the middle value in the range of settlements. In other words, half the settlement amounts are higher than the median, and the other half are lower than the median.
Average payout figures are calculated by adding the settlement amount for each case in a particular category, then dividing by the number of cases in that category. A very high settlement in the range can slant the average higher, so we let you know when a range includes payouts for severe injuries.