See average payouts for head-on collisions in Alabama. We look at real case examples with different types of car accident injuries.

Head-on collisions are the least common type of Alabama car accident, yet tend to be the most deadly.

Head-on collisions are responsible for 10 percent of all fatalities nationwide. Victims who survive the crash usually have multiple serious injuries. The average payout in our population of Alabama head-on collisions is $205,000.

Average Payouts for Alabama Head-On Collisions

Average Settlement Payout by Severity of Injury

• Severe Injury: $205,346

Payout Range by Type of Injury

• Fractures: $0 – $51,038
• Head Injuries: $265,000 – $300,000

Factors That Can Affect Your Settlement

The severity of injuries is the biggest factor affecting compensation. Head-on collisions usually result in serious bodily injury or wrongful death.

Alabama has minimum insurance limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Due to the low minimums, there’s a chance the at-fault driver may not have enough insurance coverage to compensate accident victims for severe injuries.

When an accident occurred under particularly shocking circumstances, a jury may decide to award punitive damages to the victim. In Alabama, punitive damages are limited based on the compensatory damages award, or $1,500,000, whichever is greater.

Unfortunately, Alabama is a pure contributory fault state, meaning a driver who shares as little as one percent of fault for the crash may be denied compensation. If the other driver’s insurer is trying to shift blame to you, seek legal advice. Most car accident lawyers offer free consultations to injury victims.

Head-On Collision Lawsuit Settled Out of Court

Most car accident cases are settled out of court by the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This happens even when a personal injury lawsuit is filed against the insured driver.

During the discovery phase of litigation, both sides have the opportunity to gather evidence that helps establish the strength of the victim’s case. Your personal injury attorney will continue settlement negotiations right up to the trial date, if necessary.

Collision at Intersection with Ankle, Arm and Head Injuries

Type of Injury: Ankle, arm, and head injuries; others-general bruises, contusions and headaches
Severity Rating: Severe
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 required medical treatment for 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

Head-On Crash Injury Court Awards

High-Speed Impact with Multiple Hip and Ankle Fractures

Type of Injury: Plaintiff 1-fractured hip; her ankle fractured in two places; Plaintiff 2-Injuries to left knee, chest, and mouth.
Severity Rating: Severe
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 car crash but was unable to do so. Police vehicle struck the front passenger side of Plaintiffs’ vehicle. Plaintiff 2 incurred medical bills for severe injuries to 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

Multiple-Victim 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
Severity Rating: Severe
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. The matter was heard by the court during a three-day bench trial. Based on the evidence presented by the Plaintiffs’ personal injury lawyers, 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 verdict against Defendant for $590,000.
Location: Montgomery County, Alabama
Case Name and Docket Number: Allen v. United States of America, CV- 2:06-0879

Methodology

The payouts listed above are from actual Alabama head-on collision lawsuits. We researched lawsuits filed on behalf of injured Plaintiffs. Car accident settlements were negotiated with the Defendant driver’s insurance company before the case went to trial.

In some cases, more than one Plaintiff was injured in the same auto accident. In order to accurately report average settlement amounts, we used the highest settlement amount awarded to one Plaintiff in a multi-Plaintiff case.

Average settlement amounts are calculated by adding the settlement amount for each case in a particular category, then dividing by the number of cases in that category.