See average payouts for Arkansas side-impact accidents with a range of injuries. Find settlements for cases similar to yours.

Side-impact collisions account for more than 23 percent of all traffic accidents each year.¹

The average settlement for a moderate side-impact collision in Arkansas is $41,250. The payouts in our sample range from $4,000 for soft tissue injuries to over $300,000 for severe back injuries.

Average Payouts for Arkansas Side-Impact Collisions

Our averages are based on a group of side-impact car accident cases in Arkansas that either settled with the insurance company or won an award in court. Averages reflect actual payouts, not including claims that were denied by the insurance company or cases lost at trial.

Average Payout by Severity of Injury
Minor Injury	$8,000
Moderate Injury	$41,000
Severe Injury	$221,000
Payout Range by Type of Injury
Neck and Back Injuries	$4,000- $306,000
Head Injuries	$10,000 - $45,000

Factors Affecting Arkansas Accident Payouts

The predominant factor in claim value is the severity of the accident victim’s injuries and the resulting medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. T-bone accidents and other violent side-impact collisions can be catastrophic, especially for vehicle occupants on the side that takes the hit.

Because Arkansas is an “at-fault” state, accident victims have the right to file an injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Injured victims in Arkansas are not required to use their own insurance for injury claims, as they would in a no-fault state.

Arkansas law defines fault as “… any act, omission, conduct, risk assumed, breach of warranty, or breach of any legal duty which is a proximate cause of any damages sustained by any party…” 

Other important factors that can influence the final payout:

• Crash Circumstances: Insurance adjusters (and juries) are influenced by the circumstances of a side-impact collision. Less money will be offered for an accident caused by someone backing into the side of a car in a parking lot than for a drunk driver who T-bones a car at high speed after running a red light.
• Shared Fault: Arkansas is a modified comparative fault state, meaning that you can still make a claim so long as the other party is more at fault than you, and your payout can be reduced according to your percentage of fault. If you are equally or more to blame than the other party, you can be barred from receiving compensation.
• Coverage Limits: Arkansas drivers must carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. The minimum coverage won’t be enough to cover severe injuries.
• Multiple Claimants: Even when the at-fault driver or car owner has higher limits than the minimum required, it may not be enough to go around when multiple people are injured in a crash.
• UI and UIM Coverage: Insurance companies are required by law to offer uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage to Arkansas policyholders, who have the right to decline those coverages. Without uninsured motorist coverage, there may be no funds available after an accident caused by a hit-and-run or uninsured driver.
• Venue and Jurisdiction: Some courts have a history of large jury awards to car accident victims. In these jurisdictions, the insurance company will often pay a higher settlement to keep your case out of court.
• Punitive Damages:  Punitive damages can only be awarded by a judge or jury in a court trial. Arkansas law limits punitive damage awards to the greater of  $250,000 or three times the compensatory award, not to exceed $1 million.

Side-Impact Neck and Back Injury Case Examples

Neck and back injuries happen in side-impact collisions because the body is jolted so violently from side to side. Occupants may also be injured by the intrusion of the car body as it gives way to the impact of the other vehicle.

Red Light Broadside Collision with Neck, Back, and Disc

Type of Injury: Injuries to back, neck, and arms, shoulder, sternum and aggravation of disc problems.
Award/Settlement Amount: $10,500
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving. She entered an intersection and defendant struck the right side of plaintiff’s vehicle. Defendant continued on and struck several parked vehicles. Plaintiff said he suffered injuries to back, neck, and arms, shoulder, sternum and aggravation of disc problems. Defendant contended that plaintiff entered the intersection on a red light and that plaintiff was contributorily negligent in failing to maintain a proper lookout and in failing to exercise ordinary care. Jury returned a plaintiff verdict of $10,500. Per counsel, a witness stated that plaintiff had a green light and the fact that plaintiff’s vehicle was broadsided indicated that defendant was liable.
Location: Washington County, Arkansas
Case Name and Docket Number: Karnes v. Valladores, CIV2000-88

Side Impact Crash Aggravates Prior Slip and Fall Neck Injuries

Type of Injury: Cervical strain to neck
Award/Settlement Amount: $4,000
Case Summary: Defendant was attempting to merge into the right lane when he struck the vehicle in which plaintiff was a passenger. The operator of plaintiff’s vehicle and a passenger in defendant’s vehicle were not injured. Plaintiff had been involved in a slip and fall accident three days before the collision. Plaintiff claimed that she suffered cervical strain as a direct result of the collision. Defendant contended that plaintiff was not injured in the accident and that plaintiff’s injuries, if any, were proximately related to the prior slip and fall accident. Case settled for $4,000 on the day of trial.
Location: Faulkner County, Arkansas
Case Name and Docket Number: United Financial Casualty Company v. Hill, 23-CV-2017-00516

Red Light T-Bone Results in Neck , Back, and Other Injuries

Type of Injury: Crushing injury to lower right leg; stress injury to arm; ulnar nerve injury to elbow; soft tissue neck and back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $78,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle operated by her husband. They were stopped at a red light at an intersection. When the traffic light turned green, plaintiff’s husband proceeded into the intersection. Defendant driver ran a red light and struck plaintiff’s vehicle. Defendant claimed that he attempted to stop, but his vehicle skidded into the intersection. Plaintiff claimed that she suffered crushing injuries to her lower right leg, soft tissue neck and back injuries and an ulnar nerve injury as a direct result of the accident. Defendant contended that plaintiff was exaggerating the extent of her injuries and damages. Jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff for $78,000.
Location: Pulaski County, Arkansas
Case Name and Docket Number: Farmer v. Gandy, 2:15-cv-00110-KGB

Hit and Run Victim Sues UM Carrier for Back, Leg Injuries

Type of Injury: Injuries to back and leg
Award/Settlement Amount: $25,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was traveling east in the right lane during morning rush hour. Traffic was stopped in the left and center lanes and an unknown individual driving in the center lane quickly changed lanes, struck a glancing blow to a vehicle in the center lane, and struck plaintiff’s vehicle which was traveling at approximately 30 m.p.h. Plaintiff’s vehicle spun around and struck another vehicle in the center lane, which in turn struck a vehicle stopped in the left lane. The unknown driver stated that the accident was not his fault and left the scene without revealing his identity. Plaintiff suffered injuries to his back and leg. Defendant was plaintiff’s uninsured motorist (UM) carrier. Defendant contended that plaintiff was not as severely injured as alleged. Case settled for $25,000.
Location: Arkansas County, Arkansas
Case Name and Docket Number: Hill v. Geico Insurance, 2:11cv2182

Passenger in Broadsided Vehicle Suffers Neck and Spine Injuries

Type of Injury: Neck and spine injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $157,150
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle driven by defendant. Plaintiff claimed defendant was attempting to complete a left turn out of a parking lot when co-defendant, driving north and attempting to pass a stopped vehicle on the side of the road, broadsided plaintiff’s host vehicle. Plaintiff claimed he sustained serious injuries to his neck and spine due to the accident. Plaintiff claimed both defendants were negligent and liable for the accident and his injuries. In their answer, the defendants admitted contact between the vehicles occurred, but denied negligence. Jurors found in plaintiff’s favor, awarding him $76,874.59 for past economic damages, $18,525 for future economic damages, and $61,750 for noneconomic damages.
Location: St. Francis County, Arkansas
Case Name and Docket Number: Pamplin v. Steven, CIV-97-170-1

Tractor Trailer Runs Red Light Causing Neck, Back and Disc Injuries

Type of Injury: Neck and back spine injuries-cervical and lumbar strain;
Award/Settlement Amount: $200,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving a family pickup down a flat section of a hilly two-lane state highway. His wife was the right front seat passenger. Suddenly Defendant, who was driving a load of logs in a tractor-trailer ran a stop sign off a side road causing the plaintiff to skid into the truck’s side. Both plaintiffs claimed injuries along the neck and back spine. Plaintiff’s injuries were less severe than those of his wife. She was diagnosed with cervical and lumbar strain with mild cervical radiculopathy at C6-7, and degenerative disc disease. Defendants admitted to the accident but denied liability. Jury found for the plaintiffs against defendants for $397,866.93. (Approximately $200,000 per plaintiff)
Location: Ashley County, Arkansas
Case Name and Docket Number: Sharp v. Timer, 1999 221

Broadside Accident with Herniated Lumbar Discs

Type of Injury: Back injury-herniated disc at L3-5 and L5-S1
Award/Settlement Amount: $306,400
Case Summary: Plaintiff was involved in two separate motor vehicle accidents. In the first accident, plaintiff’s vehicle was stationary, waiting for a traffic light to change when he was rear-ended by Defendant 1 with such force that a German Shepherd in the back seat was thrown forward into the front seat. In the second accident, plaintiff was traveling when he was broadsided by Defendant who ran a red light and collided with a third vehicle. Plaintiff claimed he suffered herniated disc at L3-5 and L5-S1 as a result of the two accidents. Defendant1 argued that Plaintiff failed to wear a fully available and operational seat belt. Defendant2 generally denied all allegations. Jury returned a plaintiff verdict for $ 117,300 against Defendant1 and $306,400 against Defendant2.
Location: Pope County, Arkansas
Case Name and Docket Number: Hale v. Empire Express, Inc., 3:16-cv-00120

Side Impact Head Injury Cases

Serious head injuries, including fractured skulls, facial injuries, and brain trauma, happen when the head is violently slammed into the door or side window in the crash. Many side-impact collision victims suffer multiple, potentially life-threatening injuries.

Subdural Hematoma Requiring Surgery after Parking Garage Crash

Type of Injury: Head injury-Subdural hematoma; swelling in legs.
Award/Settlement Amount: $10,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff drove his vehicle into a parking garage. Defendant backed out of a parking space into the path of plaintiff’s vehicle, striking it on the passenger side between the front and rear doors. Both sides stipulated that impact occurred at approximately 5 to 10 m.p.h. Plaintiff claimed he suffered subdural hematoma requiring surgery which resulted in swelling in legs. Plaintiff was involved in a prior accident three weeks earlier and a third accident one month later. Defendant did not admit liability, but did not seriously contest it. Defendant argued that plaintiff’s injuries were proximately related to the prior accident. Jury returned a plaintiff verdict for $10,000. Per Counsel, Plaintiff’s hospital records from the prior accident reflected head trauma, headaches and a slight concussion, which significantly impacted the outcome.
Location: Pulaski County, Arkansas
Case Name and Docket Number: Greenwood v. Rainey, 13CV-06-6

Left-Turn Crash Leaves Victim with Headaches, Soft Tissue Injuries

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck injury, headaches and aggravation of a pre existing back injury.
Award/Settlement Amount: $17,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff and defendant were operating their respective vehicles on the same street. Defendant entered an intersection controlled by a traffic light. As the light turned yellow, plaintiff entered the same intersection in the opposite direction. Unable to stop, plaintiff proceeded through the intersection and was struck by defendant, who was making a left turn. Plaintiff suffered soft tissue neck injury, headaches and aggravation of a pre existing back injury. Defendant contended that he proceeded to make the left turn to avoid getting “hung out” in the intersection once the light turned red and that he had almost completed the turn when the collision occurred. Jury found for Plaintiff in the amount of $17,000.
Location: Pulaski County, Arkansas
Case Name and Docket Number: Andrew v. Overbey, 2:08cv2115; 2:08-cv-02115

Head Trauma with Dizziness from Drunk Driver Hit-And-Run

Type of Injury: Head injury resulting in dizziness
Award/Settlement Amount: $45,000
Case Summary: Defendant, who was intoxicated and driving on a suspended license, was driving through a residential area in a 25 m.p.h. speed zone at 40 m.p.h. He drove through a red light at an intersection and broadsided plaintiff’s vehicle. Defendant continued to drive for 200 feet, exited his vehicle, and fled from the scene. He pled guilty to felony hit-and-run. Plaintiff claimed he suffered an injury to his head resulting in dizziness requiring hospitalization for two-three days for observation. Defendant contended that the fact that he was driving on a suspended license and fled the scene of the accident was irrelevant to whether he was negligent in striking plaintiff’s vehicle. Jury returned a plaintiff verdict for $45,000.
Location: Arkansas County, Arkansas
Case Name and Docket Number: Campbell v. Katona, F600793

Methodology

The averages and ranges used here are from actual Arkansas side-impact cases we compiled and analyzed.

Averages are calculated by adding all the settlements and court awards in a group, then dividing the total by the number of cases in the group. One or two unusually large payouts in the group may skew the average higher.

When a case has more than one injured plaintiff, we used the highest award to a single injury victim to avoid overstating the payout one person might expect in similar circumstances. In cases with multiple accidents, we use the highest payout from one defendant paid to the accident victim.