Head injuries often result in high-dollar auto insurance payouts. See settlement amounts from real Iowa car accident lawsuits.

Head injuries caused by motor vehicle collisions can vary from cuts and bruises to catastrophic brain injuries. Severe head injuries are high-dollar insurance cases, due to the extensive losses suffered by the victim.

The average head injury payout to accident victims in Iowa is $364,200.

Our calculations are derived from lawsuits filed in Iowa courts on behalf of car accident victims with head injuries.

Average Iowa Head Injury Settlements

We analyzed payout information from actual car accident head injury cases. Our sample group does not include cases that did not receive a settlement or were lost at trial.

Average Payout by Severity of Injury
Minor Head Injury	$6,100
Moderate Head Injury	$46,000
Severe Head Injury	$598,000
Payout Range by Injury Severity
Minor Head Injury	$6,100
Moderate Head Injury	$17,000 – $73,000
Severe Head Injury	$104,000 – $1,500,000

How Head Injury Settlements are Calculated

Car accident settlements are calculated by adding up the victim’s medical costs, lost income, out-of-pocket expenses (for transportation, medical aids, replacement services, etc.), with an added amount to compensate for pain, suffering, and emotional distress.

Medical expenses for head injuries may include the cost of emergency air transport to a trauma center, diagnosis and treatment, and extensive rehabilitation services.

Serious head injury claims should be handled by an experienced car accident attorney. They will seek compensation for lost earning capacity, future medical and rehabilitation costs, loss of consortium, and more.

Average Medical Costs for Common Head Injuries

Potential compensation will include treatment costs for all accident-related injuries, not only head injuries. Serious accident victims often suffer multiple injuries.

• Facial Injuries: Treatment expenses 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. A broken jaw requiring surgical repair will cost between $10,000 and $30,000.
• Minor Concussions: Concussions are a type of brain injury caused by the brain being jolted against the inside of the skull during a collision. The average cost of a mild concussion is approximately $800, although the cost will rise with the additional expense of an MRI or CT scan.
• Skull Fractures: Conservative non-surgical treatment of a fractured skull with a mild to moderate concussion with emergency room costs, X-rays or CT scans, and a few follow-up visits will cost $2,000 to $5,000. Severe skull fractures that require emergency surgery cannot be considered separately from treatment for traumatic brain injuries.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): The cost to treat moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries can range from a few thousand dollars to well over $100,000 for emergency treatment, which may include brain surgery to remove fractured bone or blood clots and an extended stay in a critical care unit. Inpatient rehabilitation will cost an additional $46,000 or more.

Other Factors Affecting Head Injury Payouts

Iowa has several factors that can influence your final injury payout for a head injury.

• Coverage Limits: Iowa requires drivers to carry a minimum insurance of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for injury liability coverage, and $15,000 for property damage. The per-person injury limit on the at-fault driver’s policy is not enough to cover serious head injuries.
• UM and UIM Coverage: Iowa requires insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage to policyholders. If you or the driver of the car you were in has purchased these optional coverages, you can file a claim if the at-fault driver had no insurance, or not enough insurance to pay your injury claim.
• Multiple Claimants:  When more than one car accident victim suffers significant injuries, the at-fault driver’s policy may not have enough injury coverage to go around.
• Shared Fault: Iowa is a modified comparative fault state, meaning you are only barred from compensation when you are more to blame than the other driver. If you are 50 percent or less at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of blame.
• Location: Attorneys and insurance companies in Iowa know the venues and jurisdictions where juries tend to give high injury awards to car accident victims. The adjuster may be authorized to pay a larger settlement to keep your case from going to trial.
• Punitive Damages – Iowa allows juries and judges to award punitive damages (meant to punish the at-fault party) to the victim when the court is convinced the at-fault party acted with “willful and wanton disregard for the rights or safety of another.“

Frequently Asked Questions

Minor Head Injury Case Examples

Minor head injuries may include a bump on the head, headaches, cuts or bruises to the face or head, and a bloody nose or fat lip. Minor head injuries will heal within a week or so, with little medical care after the initial visit on the day of the crash.

Soft-tissue Head and Neck Injuries

Type of Injury: Left hand and arm injury; head injury; bruising & injuries to cervical region
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $6,104.24
Case Summary: Defendant was driving a truck owned by co-defendant. He attempted to make a U-turn at the intersection and head south. Plaintiff had the right of way at a green light, and proceeded through the intersection. The vehicles collided. Plaintiff 2, a minor, was a passenger in plaintiff1’s vehicle. Both sustained injuries upon impact, including injuries to plaintiff1’s left hand and arm, head and cervical region, and bruising and cervical injuries to the minor. Defendants admitted negligence and offered to confess judgment for $57,500 inclusive of interest and costs. Plaintiffs declined the offer and the case went before a jury. Jury found defendant and plaintiff each 50% at fault for the accident and awarded plaintiff1 damages of $4,894.97. The minor received $1,206.27. Plaintiff1’s award was reduced to $2,447.49 per fault apportionment.
Location: Polk County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Sinclair v. Sperry, CL 97650

Moderate Head Injury Case Examples

Moderate head injuries include traumatic brain injuries in the form of a bad concussion, severe headaches, and laceration to the face or head injuries requiring stitches. Moderate head injuries will take longer to heal, and you may be out of work for several weeks or a few months until you recover.

General Injuries to Head and Body

Type of Injury: General injuries to head, neck, back, chest, legs, and left knee
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $17,031.93
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving north, as defendant driving in the same direction tried to pass her. Defendant passed plaintiff’s vehicle and pulled into her lane, forcing plaintiff against the curb and causing the car to flip over. Plaintiff claimed she sustained injuries to her head, neck, back, chest, legs, and left knee as a result of the collision. The defendant denied any negligence and countered that plaintiff was the one driving negligently. The defendant also disputed the severity of plaintiff’s claimed injuries and damages. The case was presented to a jury, who found the defendant 60% negligent and the plaintiff 40% comparatively negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $17,031.93 for medical expenses, lost wages and pain suffering.
Location: Polk County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Gomez v. Aldrich, CL93708

Headaches and Neck Strain from Rear End Crash

Type of Injury: Neck injury-headaches and a cervical strain
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $20,154.50
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving west and came to a stop in the left lane, in order to make a left turn. As plaintiff yielded to oncoming traffic, defendant rear-ended the vehicle directly ahead of him, who then rear-ended another vehicle directly behind plaintiff’s car, who finally rear-ended plaintiff. Plaintiff claimed he sustained a cervical strain with headaches. Defendant admitted to negligence but denied the plaintiff’s specific allegations as to the reasons for negligence. He asserted the plaintiff failed to mitigate his damages, failed to wear his seat belt and submitted excessive medical expenses. A jury found plaintiff sustained damages as a result of the accident and awarded him $20,154.50 for past medical expenses and past and future pain and suffering.
Location: Dubuque County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Kruser v. Kotz, 90670

Traumatic Brain Injuries from Side-Impact Collision

Type of Injury: Head injury-Traumatic brain injury
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $70,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff attempted to make a left turn onto westbound road with the assistance of a green traffic signal. Defendant failed to yield to a red light on eastbound roadway and crashed into plaintiff’s vehicle broadside. Plaintiff sustained traumatic brain injury upon impact. Prior to his answer, the defendant offered an initial settlement of $14,000. Plaintiff did not accept the offer and the case continued to trial. Defendant subsequently admitted to fault in the accident, but denied the extent of plaintiff’s injuries. Prior to trial, defendant again offered to confess judgment, this time for $70,000. Plaintiff accepted this offer and Judge accordingly entered judgment against the defendant in the settlement amount.
Location: Polk County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Davis v. Slagle, CL 96027

Head Injury Exacerbating Pre-Existing Migraine Headaches

Type of Injury: Injury to right knee; head injury exacerbating pre-existing migraine headaches
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $73,198.81
Case Summary: Plaintiff claimed that as he headed north, defendant pulled out from a parking lot and into his right of way and struck his vehicle on the passenger’s side. Plaintiff claimed injury to right knee requiring arthroscopic surgery and resulting in a 5% permanent partial disability and head injury exacerbating pre-existing migraine headaches resulting in a 5% permanent partial disability. Plaintiff claimed $6,500 in medical specials and $4,400 in lost income. Plaintiff and his wife filed a lawsuit against defendant, alleging failure to yield right of way, not applying her brakes to avoid the collision and failure to sound her horn. Defendant offered to confess judgment for $32,000, which plaintiffs rejected. Jury awarded plaintiffs a total of $73,198.81 in damages.
Location: Polk County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Solomon v. Gilbert, CL 93943

Severe Head Injury Case Examples

Severe auto accident injuries may be life-threatening and potentially disabling, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal injuries, and extensive fractures requiring surgery. Victims typically suffer injuries to multiple body parts and systems.

Victims who survive severe injuries may never fully recover from the collision. If they are able to return to work at all, it may be in a diminished capacity.

Traumatic Brain Injuries, PTSD, Memory Loss, Lost Concentration

Type of Injury: Head injury-traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress syndrome, depression, tingling of face, hands, tremor in the extremities, panic attacks, memory loss and lost concentration
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $104,442
Case Summary: Plaintiff drove her pickup near an intersection. At the same time, Defendant Driver operated a truck, owned by Defendant Owner on the same roadway. As defendant approached the intersection, he failed to stop for a traffic signal and broadsided plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff claimed she sustained a traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress syndrome, depression, tingling of face, hands, tremor in the extremities, panic attacks requiring emergency rooms visits, memory loss and lost concentration as a result of the accident. Defendants admitted to the accidentbut disputed the nature and extent of the plaintiffs’ alleged injuries. Jury determined that the accident was the proximate cause of plaintiff’s damages and awarded her $99,442, plus $5,000 for loss of consortium.
Location: Woodbury County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Cook v. Petersen, IACV126608

Facial Laceration Injuries to Eyebrow, Chin, and Nose

Type of Injury: Knee injury-comminuted fracture of right patella; Others-lacerations to upper eyebrow, chin and left side of nose; and bruises on left hip and chest.
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $116,521.17
Case Summary: As plaintiff drove southbound on a Street, defendant traveled west and struck plaintiff’s vehicle broadside. The collision forced plaintiff’s vehicle into the path of another vehicle, causing another impact. Plaintiff suffered a comminuted fracture of right patella with disruption requiring partial patellectomy and repair of extensor mechanism of right knee and resulting in 40% permanent partial disability due to degenerative changes of knee; amnesia; severe lacerations to upper eyebrow, chin and left side of nose; and bruises on left hip and chest. Defendant denied the plaintiff’s allegations. Prior to trial, defendant offered to confess judgment for $55,000, which was rejected. Jury assessed 90% responsibility in the accident to defendant, and 10% to plaintiff. Plaintiff received $129,468.57. Based upon fault apportionment, plaintiff walked away from the trial with $116,521.71
Location: Polk County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Seifert v. Connett, 95492

Brain Injury, Memory Loss, Headaches, and Eye Injuries

Type of Injury: Brain injury, memory loss, injury to nerve in right eye, broken left arm, headaches, double vision
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $248,251.84
Case Summary: Defendant drove a semi-truck and trailer, owned by co-defendant when he collided into the back of a minivan stopped for traffic. In an effort to avoid that accident, Plaintiff, eastbound on the same Highway, lost control of her vehicle, drove off the road and struck a mobile home. Plaintiff suffered severe injuries including brain injury, memory loss, injury to nerve in right eye, broken left arm, headaches and double vision. In their joint answer, the defendants admitted defendant rear-ended a vehicle but denied any fault in plaintiff’s accident. Jury found defendant 60% at fault and plaintiff 40% at fault for the accident. Jury awarded plaintiff $413,753.08, later reduced to $248,251.84 per fault apportionment.
Location: Johnson County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Winland v. Davis, IACV 064573

Disfiguring Head and Face Injuries, Multiple Facial Bone Fractures

Type of Injury: Head injury-multiple facial bone fractures, fractured teeth and facial scarring; second degree burns to fingers, wrist and left thigh
Type of Accident: Head-On
Award/Settlement Amount: $331,666.70
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle operated by Defendant, who was traveling in a westerly direction. Defendant lost control of his vehicle while negotiating an icy curve in the road and struck an eastbound vehicle head-on. Plaintiff said he suffered multiple facial bone fractures requiring open surgery, fractured teeth, facial scarring and second degree burns to fingers, wrist and left thigh. Plaintiff claimed $43,845 in medical specials. Defendant admitted he lost control of his vehicle on black ice which had recently developed but denied he was negligent. Jury found for plaintiff, awarding him $331,666.70 in damages.
Location: Delaware County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Stahl v. Koellen Trucking, LLC, IACV055616

Facial Lacerations Requiring Plastic Surgery

Type of Injury: Head injury-laceration on right eyelid; displaced right acetabular hip fracture; wrist fractures of the left distal radius, four fractured ribs, fractured left wrist and facial lacerations requiring plastic surgery
Type of Accident: Head-On
Award/Settlement Amount: $414,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was traveling west. Defendant was driving in the opposite direction. Defendant crossed the center line and struck plaintiff’s car head-on. At the time of the accident, defendant was operating a car leased from co-defendant. Prior to the collision, Defendant had been a patron in a cafe from 7:30 p.m. until closing. She had consumed a substantial amount of beer and had a blood alcohol content of .22% upon her arrival at the hospital. Plaintiff claimed she suffered severe laceration on right eyelid necessitating surgical procedures and skin grafting; displaced right acetabular hip fracture requiring traction; fractures of her left distal radius, four fractured ribs, fractured left wrist and facial lacerations requiring plastic surgery. Co-defendant contended that it had no knowledge of Defendant’s prior driving record. The case settled for $414,000.00.
Location: Johnson County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Connett v. Peters, IACL129984

Disfiguring Face Injuries, Fractured Skull, Jaw, and Eye Casing

Type of Injury: Head injury-fractured jaw, fractured eye casing, forehead laceration and fractured skull
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $1,410,037
Case Summary: Defendant Driver 1 was driving a car with Plaintiff as a backseat passenger. Defendant Driver 2 was operating a vehicle in the opposite direction. At an intersection, Defendant Driver 2 made a left turn into Defendant Driver 1’s lane of travel, striking plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff suffered fractured/severed maxillary jaw, fractured eye casing, forehead laceration and fractured skull requiring insertion of 8 titanium plates and approximately 50 titanium screws. Her injuries resulted in total loss of smell, partial loss of taste, constant facial swelling and pain, scarring on forehead and permanently altered appearance. Defendant Driver 2 contended that Defendant Driver 1 was driving too fast. Defendant Driver 1 contended that Defendant Driver 2 made an improper left turn into his lane of travel. The Jury awarded Plaintiff a total of $1,410,037. Jury apportioned 15% negligence to Defendant Driver 1 and 85% negligence to Defendant Driver 2.
Location: Polk County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Sherrets v. Lien, 06571 IACV082876

Traumatic Brain Injury with Fractured Skull, Fractured Jaw

Type of Injury: Head injury-Skull, jaw and collarbone fractures and traumatic brain injury
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $1,559,190
Case Summary: Defendant Driver was operating a vehicle owned by her cousin, defendant Owner. Defendant Driver attempted to make a left turn from the center of three northbound lanes, striking Plaintiff’s vehicle. The impact caused plaintiff’s vehicle to roll over, resulting in skull, jaw and collarbone fractures and traumatic brain injury to plaintiff. Plaintiff’s injuries resulted in cognitive difficulties, depression, short term memory loss, severe vertigo, startle reflex, residual headaches and fatigue. Defendant contended that plaintiff was exaggerating the nature and extent of his injuries. The Jury awarded plaintiff $1,559,190 in damages.
Location: Dubuque County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Bronner v. Reicks Farms, Inc., IACV016258

Methodology

We put together a group of real lawsuits filed on behalf of Iowa car accident victims who suffered from head injuries as a result of the accident.

Averages are calculated by adding the payouts for each case in a group, then dividing the total by the number of cases in the group. Payout amounts are rounded in the average and range sections.

When cases include more than one injured victim, we used the highest settlement for a single victim to avoid overstating the amount an individual claimant might recover in similar circumstances.