Explore average head injury settlements and court awards in Alabama. See real examples of head injury cases.

Head injuries from motor vehicle accidents can range from a bump on the head and a headache to catastrophic brain injuries. Compensation is directly related to the severity of the victim’s injuries.

The average head injury payout to accident victims in Alabama is $103,052.

Our payout information is based on injury settlements and court awards paid in Alabama car accident cases.

Average Alabama Head Injury Payouts

Our calculations are drawn from real Alabama car accident cases involving different types of head injuries.

Average Payout by Severity of Injury
Minor Head Injury	$9,333
Moderate Head Injury	$41,115
Severe Head Injury	$227,624
Payout Range by Severity of Injury
Minor Head Injury	$5,000 - $14,000
Moderate Head Injury	$16,500 - $60,000
Severe Head Injury	$51,038 - $400,000

How Head Injury Settlements are Calculated

Insurance settlement values for car accident head injuries are primarily based on medical treatment costs, injury-related expenses, lost wages, and some consideration for the victim’s non-economic damages.

Compensation for serious injury claims may include the cost of future medical care, loss of future earning capacity, and much more. Severe injury claims should only be handled by an experienced personal injury attorney.

Average Medical Costs for Common Head Injuries

Medical treatment costs are the basis for auto accident settlements, along with lost wages, replacement service costs, and the victim’s pain and suffering.

• Facial Injuries – Medical costs for bruises, cuts requiring stitches, and broken facial bones can run from $1,500 for an emergency room visit for a few cuts and bruises, to $8,000 for a broken nose, and $10,000 or more for facial reconstruction.
• Fractured Skull – Nonsurgical treatment of a fractured skull with a mild to moderate concussion can range upward from $800, on top of the emergency room and imaging costs that easily reach $2,000 to $5,000.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – While concussions are a mild type of TBI, the cost to treat moderate to severe brain injuries is very high. Initial emergency treatment can cost tens of thousands of dollars, followed by months or years of costly rehabilitation or skilled care.

Other Factors Affecting Head Injury Payouts

• Coverage Limits – Alabama auto insurance laws require a minimum injury liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. The at-fault driver’s insurance may not be enough to fully compensate serious head injury victims.
• Multiple Claimants – When there are multiple victims in a severe vehicle crash, there may not be enough insurance money to cover every claim. The insurer may ask the court to distribute the available coverage.
• Additional Parties – Financially liable parties other than the at-fault driver may include the vehicle owner, the at-fault driver’s employer, vehicle manufacturers, or bar owners who overserved a drunk driver.
• Shared Fault – Alabama is one of the last few states with pure contributory negligence laws. Injured victims may be barred from compensation if they share any blame for causing their injuries.
• Location – The insurance company may offer more to settle if your case is in a court venue where juries tend to give larger awards to injury victims.
• Punitive Damages –  Alabama laws allow juries to award punitive damages when the at-fault party’s behavior is particularly shocking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Minor Head Injury Case Examples

A bump on the head, facial bruising or scratches, and other minor head injuries are usually healed within a few days of the car accident. Some minor head injury victims miss a day or two of work.

Side-Impact Accident with Head and Neck Pain

Type of Injury: Pain in head and neck radiating into shoulders and arms; lower back pain and general bruises, contusions, and cuts
Type of Accident: Side Impact/Center line violation
Award/Settlement Amount: $5,000
Case Summary: While in the line and scope of his employment with first Defendant, Plaintiff 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, and cuts. Defendants generally denied liability. 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

U-Turn Collision with Minor Injuries

Type of Injury: Head, back, neck, arm, and leg injuries
Type of Accident: U-turn Collision
Award/Settlement Amount: $14,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff alleged that Defendant negligently attempted to make a U-turn in front of her vehicle, causing a collision. Plaintiff further claimed that immediately after the accident, Defendant apologized for causing the collision. Plaintiff claimed he sustained head, back, neck, arm, and leg injuries. Defendant admitted liability at trial. The Court awarded the Plaintiff $14,000 for compensatory damages.
Location: Jefferson County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Lee v. Willis, CV-03-7376

Rear-End Accident with Head, Neck, and Back Injuries

Type of Injury: Head, neck, and back injuries
Type of Accident: Rear-end Collision
Award/Settlement Amount: $9,500
Case Summary: Plaintiff alleged that Defendant negligently rear-ended Plaintiff’s vehicle at an intersection by failing to yield the right-of-way. Plaintiff claimed he suffered head, neck, and back injuries requiring physical therapy. Plaintiff sued Defendant, seeking to recover damages for physical pain, mental anguish, temporary and permanent disability, medical expenses, lost income and diminished earning capacity. Plaintiff also filed a negligent entrustment claim against the owner of the vehicle operated by Defendant at the time of the accident. However, an inspection of Defendant’s driving record showed that the owner of the vehicle had no reason to suspect that Defendant would be a reckless driver, so the vehicle owner was dismissed from the case. Plaintiff was awarded $9,500.
Location: Jefferson County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Smith v. Myrick, CV-05-0088

Intersection Collision with Knee Injuries and Headaches

Type of Injury: Left knee injuries; Other-headaches
Type of Accident: Intersection Collision
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

Rear-End Accident with Back, Neck, and Head Injuries

Type of Injury: Back, neck, and head injuries.
Type of Accident: Rear-end Collisions
Award/Settlement Amount: $6,500
Case Summary: Plaintiff was involved in two separate motor vehicle accidents. In the first accident, Plaintiff, while in the line and scope of her employment with Defendant 1, claimed that the vehicle she was operating was struck from behind by a vehicle being operated by Defendant 2. The second accident occurred two months after the first. In this accident, Plaintiff again was in the line and scope of her employment with Defendant 1 when she was struck from behind by another vehicle, being operated by Defendant 3. Plaintiff claimed that the combined effect of the two accidents caused her to suffer back, neck, and head injuries. Defendants admitted liability. The parties resolved the case for $6,500 in favor of Plaintiff before trial.
Location: Elmore County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Luster v. Kelly, CV-06-196

Passenger Accident with Head and Face Injuries

Type of Injury: Face, head, and neck injuries
Type of Accident: Intersection Collision/Passenger
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

Moderate Head Injury Case Examples

Moderate head injuries may include concussions, facial fractures, and lacerations to the head or face. The victim will need an extended period of time to recover from the accident and may be left with residual scarring.

Pedestrian Struck by Car with Concussion and Body Injuries

Type of Injury: Head injuries-scalp lacerations; others-abrasions above right elbow to right hand, left side, and to right side of face; cerebral concussion with simple amnesia; hip and shoulder pain; trauma.
Type of Accident: Pedestrian
Award/Settlement Amount: $55,576
Case Summary: Plaintiff, a member of a Volunteer Fire Department, responded to a motor vehicle accident. At the scene of the accident, Plaintiff engaged in traffic control to assist and protect the other firefighters as they provided emergency medical services to the accident victims. At the scene, a Volunteer Fire Department vehicle had its “wig-wag” and strobe lights on. Defendant Driver, operating a vehicle owned by Co-Defendant, approached the scene at a rate of speed that exceeded safe speed recommendations and struck Plaintiff. The Plaintiff sustained scalp lacerations and abrasions to his right arm extending from above the elbow to his hand, among other injuries. Plaintiff and Defendant Driver settled for $2,000. The court awarded Plaintiff $53,576 in a default judgment against C0-Defendant.
Location: Elmore County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Albright v. Cobb, CV-00-328

Rear-End Accident by Company Vehicle Injures Unrestrained Minor

Type of Injury: Head injury-Facial, left eye; other-right hand injuries
Type of Accident: Rear-end Collision/Passenger
Award/Settlement Amount: $25,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff, a minor, was a passenger in a vehicle operated by her stepfather. Plaintiffs alleged that Defendant Driver, while operating Co-Defendant Employer’s vehicle, cut in front of Plaintiffs’ vehicle. Plaintiff was unable to stop in time and rear-ended Defendant’s vehicle. The minor was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. The minor had a cast on her left arm from a prior injury, and she raised it upon impact to protect herself. The airbag deployed, pushing the minor’s left arm into the left side of her face, injuring her left eye. The parties agreed to settle the claim for $25,000.
Location: Jefferson County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Smith v. Abbruzzo, CV-07-0310

Left Turn Collision with Broken Nose and Facial Laceration

Type of Injury: Head injury-broken nose and laceration above the lip
Severity Rating: Moderate
Type of Accident: Left Turn Collision
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

Vehicle/Bicycle Collision with Head Trauma and Friction Burns

Type of Injury: Head trauma; Others-general abrasions; friction burns to torso
Type of Accident: Motor Vehicle /Bicycle Collision
Award/Settlement Amount: $16,500
Case Summary: Defendant was operating her vehicle at an intersection. Defendant said that as she went through a stop sign, minor Plaintiff traveled through the stop sign on his bicycle and into her lane of travel. Defendant was unable to stop in time to avoid a collision. Plaintiff suffered head trauma, abrasions, friction burns to torso, and atrophy of his right eye. He received treatment at the scene from Fire & Rescue paramedics and was taken to the children’s hospital for further care. Plaintiff’s medical expenses totaled $3,937.12. The case settled for $16,500 in favor of Plaintiff.
Location: Jefferson County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Pinkard v. Johnson, CV-05-1435

Intersection Collision with Broken Tooth and Soft Tissue Injuries

Type of Injury: Head injury-broken tooth; Other-general soft tissue injuries.
Type of Accident: Intersection Collision
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

Severe Head Injury Case Examples

Severe head injuries may include facial disfigurement, a fractured skull, and serious traumatic brain injuries. The victim may be left with permanent scarring or disabling brain damage. The car accident victim with severe head injuries often suffers a variety of significant physical injuries.

Rear-End Collision with Neck, Back, Chest, and Head Injuries

Type of Injury: Neck, back, chest, and head injuries; others-strains and lower back pain
Type of Accident: Rear-end Collision
Award/Settlement Amount: $252,330.48
Case Summary: Plaintiff was stopped on a road to make a left turn when she was rear-ended by Defendant. Plaintiff sustained neck, back, chest, and head injuries. Defendant stated that she had slowed down due to the brightness of the sun. At that point, Defendant looked down to get her sunglasses but when she looked up, she saw that Plaintiff’s vehicle was too close. Although Defendant pumped her brakes and attempted to avoid hitting Plaintiff’s vehicle by swerving to the right onto the gravel shoulder of the road, she made contact with the right rear portion of Plaintiff’s vehicle. Jury returned a $252,330.48 verdict for Plaintiff, inclusive of $602 in court costs and $1,728.48 in deposition fees.
Location: Madison County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Mcintosh v. Roberts, CV-05-1617

Head-On Collision with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Lacerations

Type of Injury: Plaintiff  1-concussion and traumatic brain injury; Plaintiff 2-multiple facial and scalp lacerations; Plaintiff 3-concussion and traumatic brain injury; Others-breast hematoma from the seat belt; rib and chest contusions
Type of Accident: Head-on Collision/Center line violation
Award/Settlement Amount: $265,000 total (highest amount awarded to one of three injured Plaintiffs)
Case Summary: Plaintiffs were involved in a motor vehicle accident when the vehicle they were riding was struck by a vehicle driven by Defendant’s employee. Defendant Driver was traveling north when her vehicle crossed over the median and hit two vehicles traveling south, including the Plaintiffs’ vehicle. Plaintiff 1 suffered a concussion and traumatic brain injury. Plaintiff 2 suffered multiple facial and scalp lacerations. Plaintiff 3 suffered a concussion, traumatic brain injury, and breast hematoma from the seat belt. The matter was heard by the court during a three-day bench trial. Based on the evidence presented, the judge found that Defendant Driver’s failure to control the vehicle and excessive speed caused the accident, awarding $215,000 for Plaintiff 1; $265,000 for Plaintiff 2; and $110,000 for Plaintiff 3 for total judgment against Defendant for $590,000.
Location: Montgomery County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Allen v. United States of America, CV- 2:06-0879

Intersection Collision with Closed Head Injury

Type of Injury: Head injury-Closed head injury
Type of Accident: Intersection Collision
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

Intersection 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
Type of Accident: Intersection Collision
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

Head-On Collision with Ankle, Arm, and Head Injuries

Type of Injury: Ankle, arm, and head injuries; others-general bruises, contusions, and headaches
Type of Accident: Head-on Collision
Award/Settlement Amount: $300,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff and Defendant were operating their respective vehicles on intersecting streets. Plaintiff claimed that Defendant, an unlicensed driver, negligently allowed his vehicle to collide head-on with Plaintiff1’s vehicle while she was stopped at the traffic light. Plaintiff alleged that Defendant was an agent or employee of Defendant 2 at the time of the accident. Plaintiff suffered injuries to his ankle, arm, and head as well as bruises, contusions, and headaches. Parties settled the case for $300,000 in favor of Plaintiff.
Location: Madison County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Cloer v. Americar Rental System, CV-04-424

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
Type of Accident: Intersection Collision
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

Head-On Collision with Multiple Fractures, Mouth Injury

Type of Injury: Plaintiff 1-fractured hip; her ankle fractured in two places; Plaintiff 2-Injuries to left knee, chest, and mouth.
Type of Accident: Head-on Collision
Award/Settlement Amount: $51,038.15 (highest amount awarded between two injured Plaintiffs)
Case Summary: Plaintiff 1 was traveling west with Plaintiff 2 as her front-seat passenger. Plaintiffs alleged that a Police Officer negligently allowed the police vehicle he was operating to collide head-on with Plaintiffs’ vehicle. Plaintiffs further claimed that the police officer was traveling in the wrong lane heading directly toward them, at a high rate of speed, without blue lights. Plaintiff 1 attempted to avoid the collision but was unable to do so. Police vehicle struck the front passenger side of Plaintiffs’ vehicle. Plaintiff 2 sustained severe injuries to the left knee, chest, and mouth while Plaintiff 1 suffered a fractured hip requiring surgical repair by insertion of several metal pins, and his ankle fractured in two places. Defendant denied liability. Jury awarded Plaintiffs $102,076.30.
Location: Mobile, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Hudson v. City of Mobile, CV-2001-1399

Methodology: How We Analyzed Injury Payouts

All payout amounts are drawn from actual Alabama car accident lawsuits. We compiled the insurance settlements and court awards for a group of cases involving head injuries. For cases with more than one injured victim, we used the highest payout recovered by one victim in the case.

Ranges represent the lowest to highest payout issued to cases in the head injury group.

Averages are calculated by adding up all the payouts in the group, then dividing the total by the number of cases in the group. Note that an unusually high payout in one or two cases can slant the average to be higher than normal.

Medical treatment costs were not extracted from the head injury group. Rather, they were compiled as an additional source of information that may be helpful when estimating potential injury compensation.