See average payouts for Iowa side-impact accidents with a range of injuries. Find settlements for cases like yours.

More than 100 Iowans are injured in traffic accidents every day. Based on national trends, at least 25 percent of those daily Iowa crashes are side-impact collisions.

Iowa side-impact collisions have a median settlement amount of $33,324, meaning half the payouts in our sample group were less and half were more. 

By comparison, the side-impact crashes in our sample have an average settlement amount of $176,857 including two severe injury settlements over $1,500,000 that skew the average higher.

Average Payouts for Iowa Side-Impact Collisions

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

Average Payout by Severity of Injury
Minor Injury	$6,780
Moderate Injury	$47,630
Severe Injury	$797,540
Payout Range by Type of Injury
Neck and Back Injuries	$1,680 - $65,000
Head Injuries	$6,100 - $1,500,000*

Factors Affecting Iowa Accident Payouts

The predominant factor in claim value is the severity of the car 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 deadly, especially for vehicle occupants on the side that takes the hit.

Because Iowa is an “at-fault” or “tort” state, accident victims have the right to file an injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver. Injured victims have no legal obligation to first turn to their own insurance as is required in no-fault states.

Iowa law defines fault as “… one or more acts or omissions that are in any measure negligent or reckless toward the person or property of the actor or others …” 

Other important factors that can influence your final payout:

• Shared Fault: Iowa is also a modified comparative fault state, meaning if you share some fault for the crash you can still seek compensation for your injuries so long as you weren’t more to blame than the other parties. Your compensation will be reduced in accordance with your percentage of fault.
• Available Coverage: Iowa law requires vehicle owners or operators to carry minimum liability coverage of no less than $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and $15,000 for property damage liability. These insurance limits may not be enough to cover significant injuries.
• Multiple Victims: If multiple victims are injured, there might not be enough coverage to go around. Insurance companies often file an interpleader action to ask an Iowa court to decide how to distribute the available funds.
• Uninsured or Underinsured Coverage: Insurance companies are required to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on Iowa policies, but the policyholder may decline the added coverage. Without uninsured motorist coverage, there may be no compensation available after a crash caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.
• Location: Courts in some venues and jurisdictions have a history of sympathetic juries that favor car accident victims with large awards. The at-fault driver’s insurer may offer a larger settlement to keep your case from going to trial.
• Punitive Damages:  Punitive damages can only be awarded in court, and are never part of a settlement. Iowa allows punitive damage awards when the judge or jury is convinced that the at-fault party showed a “willful and wanton disregard for the rights or safety of another.“

Side-Impact Neck and Back Injury Case Examples

Neck and back injuries are very common in side-impact collisions, primarily 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.

Lane Change Crash with General Soft-Tissue Injuries

Type of Injury: General injuries to neck, shoulder, back and other parts of body
Severity Rating: Minor
Award/Settlement Amount: $11,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was traveling south. Defendant, previously traveling south, was stopped in the left-turn lane at an intersection. As plaintiff approached, defendant attempted to re-enter the southbound traffic lane. His vehicle then collided with plaintiff’s. Plaintiff filed a lawsuit against defendant contending that defendant was guilty of negligent failure to control his vehicle and maintain proper lookout, and/or improper lane change. She requested damages for injuries to her neck, shoulders and back, among others. Defendant admitted fault, contested the nature and extent of plaintiff’s injuries. The jury awarded $11,000 to the plaintiff for medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Location: Polk County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Long v. Kelly, 92644

Backing Into Side of Car with Minor Neck and Back Injuries

Type of Injury: Neck and back injuries
Severity Rating: Minor
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $1,676.50
Case Summary: Plaintiff claimed that defendant backed into his vehicle. Plaintiff sued defendant and her husband for injuries to his neck and back, blaming defendants for negligence. Defendant admitted that she was in a minor motor vehicle accident with the plaintiff and did not deny negligence. Defendants’ denied the nature and extent of the plaintiff’s injuries. The defendants argued that plaintiff’s failure to avoid injury, his comparative fault and his failure to mitigate damages barred his recovery. Based upon the defendants’ admitted negligence, jurors awarded plaintiff $1,176.50 for medical expenses and $500 for pain and suffering.
Location: Polk County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Redman v. Dorrian, CL 96614

Side-Impact Intersection Crash with Neck Injury

Type of Injury: Neck injury-cervical disc herniation and an aggravation of a preexisting disc herniation
Severity Rating: Minor
Award/Settlement Amount: $8,013
Case Summary: Plaintiff drove north and was stopped at an intersection waiting to make a left turn. Defendant, who drove eastbound attempted to proceed through the intersection as the traffic light turned yellow. The two vehicles collided. Plaintiff claimed she sustained a cervical disc herniation and an aggravation of a preexisting disc herniation. Defendant admitted to the collision but denied fault. He stated that the plaintiff’s damages were caused by her own fault. A jury determined that both plaintiff and defendant were at fault and allotted fault at 10% and 90%, respectively. Jury awarded plaintiff $8013. In accordance with jury’s fault apportionment, Judge ordered that defendant pay $7211.70 in damages, plus court costs.
Location: Polk County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Cohenour v. Riecks, 96735

Shared Fault Side-Impact with Neck and Shoulder Injuries

Type of Injury: Neck and shoulder injuries
Severity Rating: Minor
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $3,012.98
Case Summary: According to plaintiff, defendant was emerging from the wrong end of a one-way alley, and failed to yield to plaintiff’s right-of-way, causing a collision. Defendant was ticketed for failure to yield. She pleaded guilty and paid a fine. Plaintiff claimed neck and shoulder injuries. Defendant admitted that an accident had occurred, but claimed that it was plaintiff’s fault. Defendant also challenged the nature and extent of plaintiff’s injuries. At trial, the jury returned a verdict for plaintiff and awarded damages of $4,017.31. Jury determined plaintiff was 25% at fault and the judge reduced the damage award to $3,012.98.
Location: Linn County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Prouty v. Martin, IACV041159

Nearly Blind Driver Turning Left Causes Side-Impact Crash

Type of Injury: Lower back injury-lumbar strain
Severity Rating: Minor
Award/Settlement Amount: $12,676
Case Summary: A motor vehicle accident occurred when defendant turned left and struck plaintiff’s vehicle. Before the accident, defendant’s right eye had been removed and he had had cataract surgery to his left eye. He was considered legally blind without correction, and admitted to problems with his peripheral vision. Plaintiff and her husband claimed that defendant’s operation of a motor vehicle constituted willful and wanton disregard of a known risk, and that defendant’s negligence was the proximate cause of plaintiff’s lumbar strain. Defendant admitted that an accident had occurred between the parties, and that he was responsible due to negligent failure to yield. He, however, denied that the accident was the proximate cause of Plaintiffs’ damages. Jury awarded plaintiff $11,676. Plaintiff’s husband received $1,000 in damages for past loss of consortium.
Location: Linn County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Danovski v. Sahl, IACV42059

Passing on Shoulder Broadside Crash with Multiple Minor Injuries

Type of Injury: General injuries to upper extremities, lower back and left hip/leg
Severity Rating: Minor
Award/Settlement Amount: $5,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff claimed she passed another car by utilizing the left-hand traffic lane. At the same time, defendant attempted to pass plaintiff’s vehicle by using the Interstate’s inside shoulder. Defendant broadsided plaintiff and caused her vehicle to pass over both lanes of southbound traffic. Her vehicle rolled over and ended up top and nose down in a creek. Plaintiff claimed the impact aggravated pre-existing injuries to her upper extremities, lower back and left leg. Defendant admitted that the two vehicles collided and that the plaintiff ended up in a ditch. He denied, however, attempting to pass on the shoulder. He claimed that any injuries or damages were caused by plaintiff’s fault. Jury unanimously determined that defendant was a proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries and awarded her $5,000
Location: Johnson County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Lovetinsky v. Sheehy, IACV 063528

Sideswipe Collision with Claimed Permanent Back Injury

Type of Injury: General back injury
Severity Rating: Moderate
Award/Settlement Amount: $13,628.50
Case Summary: Defendant was driving north when she overcorrected to avoid a van in the lane to her right. In doing so, she entered the southbound lane occupied by plaintiff and sideswiped the plaintiff’s car, causing damage to the front left area of both cars. A police officer issued a ticket to defendant for failure to control her vehicle. She pled guilty and was fined. Plaintiff claimed permanent back injury. Her husband claimed loss of consortium. Defendant admitted fault, but denied that the accident caused plaintiff’s injuries, based on medical evidence that plaintiff was involved in two previous motor vehicle accidents. Defendant contended that plaintiff’s chiropractic treatments related to prior incidents. Plaintiff’s received $13,628.50 in damages in a bench trial.
Location: Linn County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Albert v. Hampton, IACV040365

Side Impact Crash Causes Neck and Back Injuries

Type of Injury: Neck and lower back injuries
Severity Rating: Moderate
Award/Settlement Amount: $56,520
Case Summary: According to plaintiff, a motor vehicle accident occurred between her vehicle and defendant’s vehicle driven by its employee, co-defendant. Plaintiff claimed co-defendant failed to yield the right-of-way and collided into her car. Plaintiff sustained cervical and lumbar injuries. Defendants initially denied liability. According to the defendants, plaintiff was the sole proximate cause of her own damages. Later, the defendants admitted co-defendant’s negligence, but continued to deny his negligence was the cause of all plaintiff’s damages. Finding in favor of plaintiff, a jury awarded plaintiff $56,520 for past medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of function and lost wages. The jury decided not to award any damages for future expenses.
Location: Story County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Krebs v. Federal Express Corp., IACV 041723

Left Turn Side-Impact Collision with Cervical Disc Herniation

Type of Injury: Neck injury-cervical disc herniation
Severity Rating: Moderate
Award/Settlement Amount: $17,896.01
Case Summary: Plaintiff was traveling south and defendant was traveling north. Defendant struck plaintiff’s vehicle on the passenger side while attempting a left turn, and was subsequently cited for failure to yield. Plaintiff suffered cervical disc herniation that required surgery. Her husband joined the suit, claiming loss of spousal consortium. Plaintiffs also sued for loss of parental consortium on behalf of their two minor children. Defendant admitted negligence but denied liability for the plaintiff’s damages. A jury found for plaintiffs and awarded plaintiff driver $12,896.01 for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of body function. They also awarded a total of $5,000 for loss of consortium to plaintiff’s husband and the two children.
Location: Warren County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Hill v. Kuiper, IA26344

T-Bone Accident with Neck, Back and Knee Injuries

Type of Injury: Injuries to neck, back and left knee.
Severity Rating: Moderate
Award/Settlement Amount: $65,000
Case Summary: As plaintiff stopped at an intersection for a stop sign and as he proceeded through, defendant ran the stop sign and “T-boned” his vehicle. Plaintiff sustained injuries to his neck, back and left knee in the accident. The parties settled their claims in exchange for $25,000 in compensation from defendant’s insurance company. Plaintiff’s underinsured motorist claims against his own insurance company went before a jury. The jury members determined plaintiff suffered damages as a result of the accident and awarded him $65,000 in past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering and loss of function. Judge reduced plaintiff’s award by $25,000 per the previously paid credit and awarded plaintiff a total of $42,502.20, inclusive of interest.
Location: Polk County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Beyer v. Pogyo, 96417

Side-Impact Collision with Head and Knee Injuries

Type of Injury: Injury to right knee; head injury exacerbating pre-existing migraine headaches
Severity Rating: Moderate
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

Passenger in Side-Impact Crash Suffers Neck Injuries

Type of Injury: Neck injuries
Severity Rating: Moderate
Award/Settlement Amount: $51,058.78
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle. According to plaintiff, defendant collided with plaintiff’s vehicle as he entered the highway. Plaintiff claimed she suffered injuries to her neck resulting in permanent impairment. Defendant admitted to negligence in the accident but denied plaintiff’s injuries and damages. The jury determined that defendant was a proximate cause of plaintiff’s damages and awarded her $51,058.78. Plaintiff filed a motion for new trial and additur based upon the jury’s allegedly insufficient future medical payments award. According to plaintiff, her future medical expenses amounted to $33,067 for a predetermined neck surgery. Judge determined that there was sufficient evidence to support the jury’s original award and denied the plaintiff’s motion for new trial.
Location: Polk County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Austin v. Murphy, CL 93262

Left-Turn Side-Impact Truck Crash with Neck, Back, and Shoulder Injuries

Type of Injury: Neck and right shoulder injuries; lumbosacral sprain in the back
Severity Rating: Moderate
Award/Settlement Amount: $33,324.44
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving westbound in a truck owned by her employer. At the same time, Defendant, who was attempting a left turn from a driveway turned in front of plaintiff and the trucks collided. Plaintiff claimed neck and right shoulder injuries with pain radiating into right upper extremity and lumbosacral sprain in her back. Defendant admitted negligence. The jury awarded a total of $33,324.44 for past damages: medical expenses, loss of body function, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Location: Scott County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Mathias v. Clark, 99054

Side Impact Head Injury Cases

Serious head injuries, including fractured skulls and significant 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.

Side-Impact Intersection Crash with Multiple Minor Injuries

Type of Injury: Left hand and arm injury; head injury; bruising & injuries to cervical region
Severity Rating: Minor
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

Side-Impact Rollover with General Injuries to Head and Body

Type of Injury: General injuries to head, neck, back, chest, legs, and left knee
Severity Rating: Moderate
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

Side-Impact After Running Red Light with Traumatic Brain Injury

Type of Injury: Head injury-Traumatic brain injury
Severity Rating: Moderate
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

Broadside Collision with Severe Injuries to Face and Knee

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.
Severity Rating: Severe
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

Side-Impact at Intersection Causing Brain Injuries and PTSD

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
Severity Rating: Severe
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 accident, but 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

Left Turn Side-Impact Collision with Multiple Head and Face Fractures

Type of Injury: Head injury-fractured jaw, fractured eye casing, forehead laceration and fractured skull
Severity Rating: Severe
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 Defendat Driver 1 and 85% negligence to Defendnat Driver 2.
Location: Polk County, Iowa
Case Name and Docket Number: Sherrets v. Lien, 06571 IACV082876

Side Impact Rollover with Skull and Jaw Fractures, Brain Injuries

Type of Injury: Head injury-Skull, jaw and collarbone fractures and traumatic brain injury
Severity Rating: Severe
Award/Settlement Amount: $1,559,190
Case Summary: Defendant Driver was operating a vehicle owned by her cousin, defendnat Owner. Defendant Driver attempted to make a left turn from the center of three northbound lanes, strikiing 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

The averages and ranges used here are from actual Iowa 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, the highest award to a single injury victim was used for analysis, to avoid overstating the payout for that type of injury scenario.