Explore average payouts from real Louisiana car accident cases. Review case examples similar to yours.

Vehicle accidents are on the rise in Louisiana, with an average of three people killed every day. The leading causes of fatal car Louisiana car accidents are impaired and distracted driving.¹

The average car accident settlement for a moderate injury claim in Louisiana is $23,136. Average payouts range from $6,624 for minor injuries to $126,919 for severe injuries.

Average Louisiana Car Accident Settlement Amounts

The averages and ranges given below come from actual car accident cases filed in Louisiana courts. Plaintiffs suffered a range of injuries, from a minor sprained shoulder to severe spinal disc injuries.

Average Payout by Severity of Injury
Minor Injury	$6,624
Moderate Injury	$23,136
Severe Injury	$126,919
Payout Range by Type of Accident
Rear-End Collisions	$6,152 - $281,922
Side-Impact Collisions	$2,525 - $649,780
Head-On Collisions	$36,225 - $138,548

Most of the injury cases in the group involve some type of neck or back injuries. Many car accident victims sustain more than one type of injury. Court awards and insurance settlements are intended to compensate the claimant for all their damages.

Our group of cases did not include wrongful deaths or cases that did not result in compensation for the plaintiff.

How Accident Settlements Are Calculated

You can estimate a fair settlement value for minor to moderate injury claims by adding up the economic damages like medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost wages. Add one to three times that amount to account for the non-economic damages, more commonly referred to as pain and suffering.

A multiple of one is reasonable for minor bumps, bruises, or sprains. A multiple of two or three times economic damages is reasonable for more extensive injuries, like a broken arm that affects activities of daily living.

Severe or complicated injury claims are best handled by an experienced personal injury attorney. Your attorney may need to gather expert medical and financial opinions to support a high-dollar claim.

Factors Affecting Payout Amounts

Other factors that influence injury payouts in Louisiana include:

• Injury Severity – Car accident injuries that eventually heal will settle for less than severe or permanent life-altering injuries.
• Shared Fault – Louisiana is a pure comparative fault state. You can file an injury claim against the other driver even if you share some blame for your injuries. Your potential compensation will be reduced according to your percentage of fault.
• Auto Policy Limits – Louisiana law requires drivers carry minimum auto insurance of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident bodily injury liability, and $25,000 property damage liability. The minimum liability limit may not be enough to cover severe injury claims.
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage – Louisiana requires insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist coverage (UM) equal to the policy’s liability limits. The policyholder has the right to reduce the amount of UM coverage by signing a waiver form.
• Multiple Claimants – The per-accident auto coverage carried by the at-fault driver may not be enough to go around when two or more people are hurt in the same accident.
• Venue and Jurisdiction – Some courts have a reputation for large personal injury jury awards. The other driver’s insurance company may offer more to settle your case to keep it out of court.
• Punitive Damages: Louisiana only allows punitive damages in limited circumstances. In car accident cases, punitive or exemplary damages are allowed when a drunk driver  causes injury or death to others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Minor Injury Case Examples

Minor car accident injuries, like bumps, bruises, and sprains, usually heal within a week or two with little treatment after the initial medical evaluation. The victim may be stiff and sore, and miss a few days from work.

Passenger with Shoulder Injury from Side-Impact Accident

Type of Injury: Right Shoulder Injury
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $2,525
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in 1st defendant’s vehicle which collided with a vehicle operated by the 2nd defendant when 1st defendant proceeded to make a right turn. Plaintiff sustained a right shoulder injury. Plaintiff contended the defendants disregarded traffic controls, failed to act in a safe and prudent manner and failed to take evasive action to avoid accident. Plaintiff sought compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish and medical expenses. Defendants denied liability, with 1st defendant contending that there were no passenger injuries aboard his vehicle. The judge ruled in favor of plaintiff.
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Nelson v. Randolph, 03-13702

Award to Driver and Passenger for Soft-Tissue Injuries

Type of Injury: General Back and Neck Injuries
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $4,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff and his passenger were involved in an accident when a vehicle driven by the defendant run a red light and struck their vehicle. Plaintiffs sustained neck and back injuries. Plaintiffs sued defendant and his insurer, claiming that Defendant drove in a reckless manner, failed to yield the right of way, ran a red light, and made an unprotected and unsafe left turn. Plaintiff sought compensation for pain and suffering, disability, medical expenses, and loss of consortium. Defendants admitted the accident occurred but denied other allegations. They asserted that plaintiff was reckless in driving. After a bench trial, each Plaintiff was awarded $4,000 in damages.
Location: Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Johnson v. Brown, 498288

Side-Impart Victims Awarded for Neck and Back Injuries

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Bilateral lumbar strain, bilateral cervical strain, bilateral thoracic strain; Head Injury- Headaches
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $4,417
Case Summary: Plaintiffs, a driver and his passenger were involved in a motor vehicle accident when defendant attempted to pass their vehicle on the left side and struck the driver’s side of Plaintiff’s truck. Plaintiffs sustained bilateral lumbar sprain, headache, and thoracic sprains. Plaintiff sued defendant contending that defendant was negligent by driving at an excessive rate of speed, driving without a license, and attempting to pass in a no-passing zone. Plaintiff sought damages for medical expenses, lost income and disability. Defendants denied liability and contended that the accident was caused by negligence of plaintiffs. The judge ruled in favor of plaintiffs for $17,666.52.
Location: Parish of Tangipahoa, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Ourso v. Smith Jr., 2004-000172

Motorcyclist Injured by Pickup Truck

Type of Injury: General; General Injuries to Head and Neck
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $4,708
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving his motorcycle when defendant backed up into it with his pickup truck. Plaintiff sustained general injuries to his head and neck. Plaintiff filed suit against defendant, claiming that defendant’s negligence caused him serious injuries. Defendant denied liability, arguing that little contact occurred between the two vehicles and that plaintiff claimed no injuries at the scene. The court found in favor of Plaintiff following a bench trial and awarded $4,000 for general damages and $708 for past medical expenses.
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Broussard v. Menard, 20030974-K

Left Turn Driver Liable for Two Victims’ Contusions and Abrasions

Type of Injury: Head Injury- Head Contusion, Black eye, Abrasion, and cuts on the face; Other- Chest wall contusion and abrasions
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $6,087
Case Summary: “Plaintiffs were headed Southbound when a vehicle driven by the defendant made an abrupt left turn in front of their vehicle causing a collision. 1st Plaintiff sustained head contusion, abrasions, and black eyes. 2nd plaintiff sustained chest contusions, abdomen and chest abrasions. Plaintiffs sued defendant contending defendant failed to keep proper lookout and drove in a reckless manner. Plaintiffs sought damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering and inability to work. Spouse to second plaintiff also sought award for loss of wife’s society. Defendants denied liability asserting plaintiffs’ negligence. The Judge found in favor of Plaintiffs for $12,173.84.
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Carboni v. Barton, 98523

Rear-End Accident with Headaches and Neck Pain

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Lumbar sprain; Other- headaches and neck pain
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $6,152
Case Summary: Plaintiff stopped to make a left turn into a business parking lot when Defendant rear-ended his motor vehicle and backed up into another third-party vehicle. Plaintiff sustained a lumbar strain/sprain, neck pain and headaches. Plaintiff sued defendant for negligence, seeking damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages. Defendant admitted that an accident occurred but denied that Plaintiff sustained any injuries, claiming that the only physical damages sustained in the accident were between his and third party’s vehicles. The judge ruled in favor of Plaintiff.
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Craig v. Corban, 512080

Rear-End Crash Victim Award for Neck and Back Pain

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Neck and Back pain
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $6,211
Case Summary: Defendant lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the rear end of plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff suffered neck and back pain at the T-12 through L1 region of his spine. Plaintiff sued defendant for failure to maintain control of his vehicle and observe traffic conditions. Plaintiff sought damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and disability. Defendants denied liability and asserted that plaintiff was comparatively negligent and that he failed to mitigate his damages. The judge ruled in favor of Plaintiff, awarding $5,000 in general damages and $1,211 in past medical expenses.
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: R.D. v. Johnson, 517365

Court Award to Side-Impact Victim with Neck Strain, Head Injury

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Acute cervical strain; Head Injury- non-concussive head injury
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $7,314
Case Summary: Defendant made a left turn, crossed into the path of, and collided with Plaintiff who was driving her car northbound. Plaintiff sustained acute cervical strain and a non-concussive head injury. Plaintiff sued defendant and his insurer for negligence, seeking compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical expenses, and other damages. Defendants denied liability and asserted the defenses of comparative fault, third party negligence and failure to mitigate damages. The court awarded Plaintiff $4,500 in general damages, $77.27 for lost wages and $2,737 for special damages.
Location: Parish of Lafourche, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: O’Donley v. Walker, 95924

T-Bone Collision Causes Chest and Knee Injuries

Type of Injury: Chest Injury- Anterior chest contusion; Knee Injury- bilateral knee contusion and abrasion
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $7,375
Case Summary: Defendant ran a red light at an intersection and struck plaintiff’s car. Plaintiff sustained anterior chest contusion, bilateral knee contusion and abrasions. Plaintiff sought damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, earning capacity and loss of enjoyment of life. Plaintiff added her own insurer claiming underinsured motorist coverage. Defendants denied liability contending that plaintiff was comparatively negligent and failed to mitigate damages. The jury returned a plaintiff verdict, awarding $3,875.40 for medical expenses and $3,500.00 for general damages.
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number:Root v. Gassen, 2001-1766-G

Rear-End Crash with Neck and Back Strain, Disc Damage

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Cervical and Lumbar strain and sprain, Herniated cervical and lumbar discs, Nerve root impingement.
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $7,678
Case Summary: Plaintiff’s vehicle was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by the defendant when plaintiff stopped to make a right turn into the parking lot. Plaintiff sustained cervical and lumbar sprain, herniated disk and nervous system injuries. Plaintiff sued defendant and his insurer alleging defendant drove negligently. Plaintiff sought damages for injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, diminishing earning capacity and medical expenses. Defendants denied liability and asserted plaintiff injuries resulted from a prior accident. The jury returned a plaintiff verdict.
Location: Folsom, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Huffman v. Junker, 2004-15295

Side-Impact Crash with Knee, Shoulder, Neck Injuries and Headaches

Type of Injury: Knee Injury- Bilateral patellar contusions; General Injuries to shoulder, neck and headaches
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $8,232
Case Summary: Plaintiff was preparing to turn left when a vehicle operated by the defendant pulled out of a driveway into her path, causing a collision. Plaintiff sustained back and neck injuries, bilateral patellar contusion, headaches, and nausea. Plaintiff sued defendant and her insurer contending defendant drove out of a private drive into roadway without discerning whether it was safe. Plaintiff sought damages for medical expenses and lost wages. Defendant denied liability, and asserted the alternative defense that Plaintiff was negligent by improperly using the center turn lane for a travel lane. The judge ruled in favor of Plaintiff.
Location: East Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Norris v. Young, 516255

Broadside Crash Victim Suffers Back and Neck Injuries

Type of Injury: Back injury- Thoracic and Cervical Spine Injury
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $8,262
Case Summary: Defendant’s vehicle pulled out of a private lot and struck the driver’s side of the vehicle in which plaintiff was a passenger. Plaintiff sustained cervical and thoracic spine injuries. Plaintiff sued defendant and his liability carrier for violating standard traffic laws by failing to observe traffic conditions prior to entering the roadway. Plaintiff sought compensation for disability, lost wages and medical expenses. Insurance carrier denied liability and claimed that plaintiff did not seek medical attention and only presented to the doctor two months after the accident. The parties stipulated that Defendant was the sole cause of the accident and the judge assessed damages through a bench trial.
Location: Scott, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Babineaux v. Segura, 2004-1530 G

Parking Lot Accident with Neck and Back Strain

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Cervical thoracic lumbar strain
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $8,475
Case Summary: Defendant’s vehicle backed out of a parking space and collided with plaintiff’s vehicle injuring a driver and his passenger. Plaintiffs sustained cervical thoracic and lumbar strain. Plaintiff sued defendant seeking damages for medical expenses and physical pain and suffering. Plaintiffs contended defendant failed to maintain proper lookout, backed up improperly and failed to exercise due care. Defendants denied liability, averring the accident was caused in whole or in part by the negligence of plaintiffs. The court ruled in favor of plaintiffs, awarding $4,180 to the driver and $8,475.19 to the passenger.
Location: Parish of Livingston, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Roshto v. Fletcher, 99365

Side-Impact Judgement in Favor of Back Injury Victim

Type of Injury: Back Injury- lower lumbar pain, cervical strain/sprain
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $8,545
Case Summary: Defendant made an abrupt left turn in front of plaintiff’s vehicle causing a collision. Plaintiff sustained headaches, lower lumbar pain and cervical strain. The physician who treated him prescribed chiropractic adjustments for his back injuries. Plaintiff sued defendant and his insurer contending defendant made an illegal turn, failed to drive at a reasonable speed and failed to yield the right way. Plaintiff sought damages for medical expenses, lost earnings and property damage. Defendants denied liability. The judge entered judgment in favor of the plaintiff.
Location: Parish of Calcasieu, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Scott v. Avery, 2004-001177

Injured Side-Impact Crash Victim Wins Bench Trial

Type of Injury: Unspecified Soft tissue injuries
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $9,533
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving through an intersection when a vehicle driven by the defendant made a turn in front of her vehicle causing a collision. Plaintiff sustained soft tissue injuries. Plaintiff sued defendant for failing to yield, failing to maintain proper lookout and failing to drive prudently. Plaintiff sought damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering while Plaintiff’s spouse sought award for loss of consortium. Defendants denied liability asserting that plaintiff failed to mitigate her damages. After a bench trial, the court awarded Plaintiff $4,000 in general damages and $4,532.50 in medical specials.
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Girard v. Baudoin, 2004-1467

Moderate Injury Case Examples

Moderate car accident injuries can include extensive soft tissue injuries, muscle or ligament strains, mild concussion, simple fractures, or disc damage. The victim may be left with some lingering effects of the injury and may be out of work for weeks or months.

Crash Causes Muscle, Tendon, and Ligament Damage

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Muscle strains and sprains, Others- bruises, contusions, lacerations of muscles, tendons, ligaments
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $9,873
Case Summary: Plaintiff was stopped at a traffic light when she was rear ended by a vehicle driven by the defendant. Plaintiff sustained bruises, contusions, laceration of muscles, tendons ligaments and other tissues. Plaintiff sued defendant and her insurer contending defendant failed to obey a red light. Plaintiff sought damages for mental anguish and distress, physical disability, damage to her vehicle and wage loss. Defendants denied liability asserting insufficient evidence. The judge found in favor of plaintiff, awarding $6,000 for pain and suffering and $3,872.53 for medical expenses.
Location: East Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Colbert v. Burkett, 521189

Accident Injury Award Reduced for Shared Fault

Type of Injury: General Injuries to neck, shoulders and back.
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $10,445
Case Summary: Defendant, who was driving a truck, attempted to pass the plaintiff who was driving ahead of him, causing a collision. Plaintiff sustained neck, shoulder, and back injuries. Plaintiff contended that defendant failed to exercise care in passing his vehicle and failed to maintain proper lookout. Defendant denied liability asserting that plaintiff caused the accident by making a left turn without signaling. Judge found defendant 70% at fault and plaintiff 30% at fault. The judge awarded plaintiff $7,500.00 in general damages and $2,945.00 in special damages after fault apportionment.
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Cockerham v. Robinson, 503116

Two Accident Cases with One Victim Consolidated for Trial

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Cervical strain, Lumbar sprain, Chronic low back pain and headaches, soft-tissue injury
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $11,600
Case Summary: On two separate occasions, plaintiff was involved in motor vehicle accidents. In the first accident, her vehicle was rear ended while in the second accident defendant’s vehicle brakes failed and he crashed into her vehicle. Plaintiff sustained back pain, headaches, lumbar sprain, cervical strain, and soft tissue injuries. Plaintiff sued defendants separately alleging in-attentive driving, failing to yield and operating vehicles in unsafe manner. The cases were consolidated for trial. Defendants denied all allegations. A bench trial resulted in a judgement in Plaintiffs favor.
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Malbreaux v. Broussard and Frazier, 2002-3970, 5372

Red Light Runner Denies Liability for Fractured Sternum

Type of Injury: Chest Injury- Fractured Sternum
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $13,595
Case Summary: Defendant ran a red light and collided into a third party’s vehicle pushing it into plaintiff’s vehicle and causing collision. Plaintiff sustained a fractured sternum. Plaintiff sued defendant and his insurer contending defendant failed to maintain control of his vehicle and failed to stop at a red traffic signal. Plaintiff sought damages for mental anguish, physical pain and physical impairment. Defendants denied liability. Plaintiff requested defendant to settle the matter at $10,000 but defendant responded months later with a counteroffer of $7,200, which the plaintiff rejected. The case proceeded to trial. The judge ruled in favor in plaintiff.
Location: Parish of Lafayette, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Breaux v. Kately, 98-3168-K

At-Fault Driver Denies Liability for Rear-End Collision

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Cervical strain, Lumbar strain; Chest Injury- Thoracic strain; Leg Injury- Left knee strain
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $14,460
Case Summary: Plaintiff’s vehicle was rear-ended by the defendant. Plaintiff sustained cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and left knee strain. Plaintiff sued defendant and her insurer alleging defendant’s negligence was the sole cause of the collision. Plaintiff sought damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, mental anguish, and wage loss. Defendants denied liability, asserted plaintiff or third party caused the accident. The Judge entered judgment in favor of Plaintiff, awarding $10,000 in general damages, $3,658.04 for medical expenses, and $802.44 for lost wages.
Location: Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Hayden v. Roy, 2005-0002677

T-Bone Crash Victim Suffers Multiple Injuries

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Cervical sprain with spasm, lumbar sprain; Other- hip, thigh and chest pain
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $17,399
Case Summary: Plaintiff, a passenger, was involved in a motor vehicle accident when a car driven by the defendant failed to yield for the intersection and plowed into the front passenger side of Plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff sustained neck and back strains, cervical strain with spasm, lumbar sprain, hip, thigh, and chest pain. Plaintiff sued defendant and his insurer contending defendant failed to yield the right way and did not apply his brakes in a timely manner. Plaintiff sought damages for medical expenses, braces and appliances, emotional distress and lost wages. Defendants denied liability. The judge ruled in favor of plaintiff.
Location: Parish of Rapides, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Sanders v. Lamb, 217407

Rear-End Victim Awarded for Head, Leg, Back Injuries

Type of Injury: Head Injury- Open head Injury; Back Injury- Low back pain; Leg Injury- Left leg bruises, Right leg numbness
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $20,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff had stopped due to congested traffic when her vehicle was rear ended by a vehicle driven by the defendant. Plaintiff suffered headaches, left leg bruises, right leg numbness and back pain. Plaintiff received treatment after the accident and underwent a CT scan. Plaintiff sued defendant and his insurer, alleging injuries to her nervous system and mental stability. Plaintiff alleged the defendant failed to keep his vehicle under proper control and sought damages for disability, lost earning, loss of earning capacity and medical expenses. Defendants admitted liability.
Location: Parish of Calcasieu, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Lester v. Dobbs, 2002-002429

Damage Award to Passenger of At-Fault Rear-End Driver

Type of Injury: Back Injuries- Cervical strain, muscle spasms, Right upper extremity radicular symptoms
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $21,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in defendant’s vehicle when the defendant failed to stop for a vehicle that was slowing for traffic lights and crashed into a car in front of them. Plaintiff sustained a cervical strain, muscle spasms, and neck strain. Plaintiff sued defendant and her insurer claiming defendant failed to stop in a timely manner and failed to properly control his vehicle. Plaintiff sought damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost income. Defendants denied liability asserting the fault rested with a third party (driver of the rear- ended car.) Eventually, the defendants stipulated to liability and the Judge assessed damages.
Location: Parish of Ascension, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Martinez v. LeBlanc, 75287

Victim Challenged for Delayed Injury Treatment

Type of Injury: Right shoulder and Neck Injuries
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $26,129
Case Summary: Defendant was attempting to switch lanes on the highway when he crashed into plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff sustained shoulder and neck injuries. Plaintiff sued defendant, co- defendant (owner of the vehicle) and their insurer. Plaintiff claimed defendant failed to obey traffic signs and drove at unsafe speeds while codefendant failed to keep proper lookout of her vehicle. Plaintiff sought compensation for loss of income, property loss, and medical expenses. Defendants denied liability and claimed that Plaintiff did not seek treatments until two months after the accident and that she was involved in a subsequent accident that caused the injuries. The Judge found in favor of Plaintiff.
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Roger v. Brooks, 2002-4277-F

Jury Verdict for Victim, At-Fault Driver Denied Liability

Type of Injury: Back Injury; Cervical strain, Muscle spasms, Disc bulges at C5-6, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Other General Injuries; Head, Neck and Shoulder pain
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $26,847
Case Summary: Plaintiff had stopped for traffic when her vehicle was rear-ended by the defendant. Plaintiff sustained a cervical strain, disk bulges at C5-C6, carpal tunnel syndrome, head, neck and shoulder injuries. Plaintiff sued defendant, his insurer, and her own insurer. Plaintiff alleged defendant operated his vehicle in careless manner, failed to maintain proper control and followed too closely. Plaintiff sought compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and property damage. Defendants denied liability asserting plaintiff was solely at fault for the accident. The jury returned a plaintiff verdict, assessing all damages against Defendant and his insurance.
Location: East Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Smith v. Roberts, 527941

Jury Verdict for Plaintiff with Shoulder Injury

Type of Injury: Shoulder Injury
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $30,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving Northbound when a car driven by defendant made a left turn in front of oncoming traffic and collided with her vehicle. Plaintiff sustained a shoulder injury. Plaintiff sued defendant and his insurer contending defendant made an illegal turn across the traffic lane, disregarded the traffic signals, and drove in a careless manner. Plaintiff also claimed defendant’s insurer failed to honor provisions of its policy. Plaintiff sought damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity. Defendants denied liability asserting it was all plaintiff’s fault. The jury returned a plaintiff verdict.
Location: Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Levy v. Landry, 491408

Jury Awards Soft-Tissue Injuries – Nothing for Healing Loss

Type of Injury: General Injuries- Neck, back and leg injuries; Other- Hearing loss
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $34,043
Case Summary: Plaintiff was involved in a motor vehicle accident when defendant, operating a car owned by co defendant changed lanes without a warning causing plaintiff’s vehicle to strike the left side of defendant’s vehicle. Plaintiff sustained neck, back and leg injuries and loss of hearing. Plaintiff sued defendant, co defendant and their insurer seeking damages. Defendants denied liability and asserted the accident resulted from plaintiff’s negligence, in failing to “make his vehicle visible in low light conditions”. The jury returned a plaintiff verdict, but did not award any damages on Plaintiff’s claim of hearing loss.
Location: Parish of Lafayette, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Bernard v. Guilbeau, 2003-4413-A

Court Award to Injury Victim After Settlement Fails

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Neck and back strain and anterior subluxation of C4 in relation to C5
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $35,073
Case Summary: Plaintiff stopped for a line of traffic when a vehicle operated by the defendant rear- ended her vehicle. Plaintiff sustained neck and back strain and anterior subluxation of C4 in relation to C5. Plaintiff sued defendant, contending defendant failed to yield and did not apply her brakes in time. Plaintiff sought damages for medical expenses, mental distress and lost wages. Defendant admitted liability but termed the accident as minor and the parties couldn’t agree on a settlement sum. The court assessed damages, awarding $4,742.00 for past medical expenses, $12,331.00 for future medical expenses and $18,000.00 for general damages.
Location: East Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Schilf v. Keller, 512078

Head-On Collision Award for Exacerbation of Pre-Existing Injuries

Type of Injury: General Injuries to back, neck, elbow, ankle and foot.
Type of Accident: Head-On
Award/Settlement Amount: $36,225
Case Summary: Plaintiff was involved in a motor vehicle accident when a car driven by the defendant and owned by the codefendant failed to stop for a red light at an intersection and collided with plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff sustained aggravation to pre-existing back, neck elbow and foot injuries. Plaintiff sued defendant, codefendant and their insurer seeking damages for medical expenses, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life. Defendants denied liability and the alleged insurer denied proving any motorist cover to the plaintiff. The court found in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $25,000 in general damages and $11,225 for medical expenses.
Location: Parish of Iberia, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Gonsulin v. Derouen, 110207

T-Bone Collision Award for Shoulder Injuries

Type of Injury: Shoulder Injury- Left anterior shoulder contusion
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $40,355
Case Summary: Defendant failed to stop for a red light and struck Plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff sustained left anterior shoulder contusion. Plaintiff sued defendant for negligence, contending that defendant drove at an excessive speed and failed to keep her vehicle under control. Plaintiff sought damages for pain and suffering, income loss and vehicle rental expenses. Defendant admitted liability but contended that Plaintiff failed to mitigate her damages. The case was tried on damages only. The bench ruled in favor of Plaintiff, awarding $9,645.61 in medical expenses $3,209.22 for lost wages $25,000.00 for pain and suffering and $2,500.00 for loss of consortium.
Location: Parish of Lafayette, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Quesada v. Martin, 2004-3031

Severe Injury Case Examples

Severe injury cases often involve multiple types of injuries, including brain injuries, multiple fractures, internal injuries, significant neck and back damage, or spinal cord injuries. Severe injury victims are often left with residual impairment, if not total disability, that impacts their ability to return to pre-accident activities and employment.

Trucker Liable for Head-On Crash Injuries

Type of Injury: General injuries to head, neck and back
Type of Accident: Head-On
Award/Settlement Amount: $46,664
Case Summary: Plaintiffs, a driver and his passenger were involved in a motor vehicle accident when a tractor-trailer driven by the defendant attempted to turn left and struck the front of their vehicle. Plaintiffs sustained head, neck, and back injuries. Plaintiff sued defendant, contending negligence in making unsafe turn and travelling in an occupied lane. Defendants denied liability and termed the accident as minor, adding that the plaintiff did not have a driving license. The judge awarded $41,724.00 to plaintiff and $46,633.78 to the passenger.
Location: Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Brumfield v. Smith, 514371

Court Favors Victim With Back and Leg Injuries, Fractured Foot

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Cervical and Lumbar Strain, Disc protrusion, disc bulge; Other; Leg injury-assomoid fracture of right foot
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $50,000
Case Summary: Defendant pulled out of a parking lot in front of Plaintiff, causing Plaintiff to crash into the rear-end of his vehicle. Plaintiff sustained cervical and lumbar sprain, disk protrusion, disk bulge at C-5-6 and C6-7 and facet joint arthropathy at L4-5. Plaintiff sued defendant and his insurer. Plaintiff claimed defendant failed to maintain proper vehicle control and sought damages for medical expenses, lost earnings, property damage and loss of use of her vehicle. Defendants denied liability asserting plaintiff was the sole cause of the accident as they failed to take evasive action to avoid hitting defendant’s vehicle. The court passed judgement in favor of plaintiff after a bench trial.
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: White v. Ables, 97940

Driver In Work Vehicle and Employer Liable for Head-On Crash

Type of Injury: Back Injury-Lumbar strain, Cervical strain, Lower back pain and bruising
Type of Accident: Head-On
Award/Settlement Amount: $50,000
Case Summary: Defendant was parked on the shoulder of a street when he made a sudden left turn, causing a head-on collision with the Plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff sustained neck and back strains, as well as back pain and bruising because of the collision. Plaintiff sued Defendant and his employer, claiming that the defendant failed to maintain control of his vehicle, drove in a careless manner, and failed to keep a safe lookout. Plaintiff imputed defendant’s negligence on his employer as he was driving a work vehicle at the time of the accident. Defendants alleged comparative fault and failure to mitigate damages. Jury returned a Plaintiff verdict.
Location: Parish of Concordia, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Anderson v. Ferriday Farm & Equip. Co., 39329

Side-Impact Collision with Extensive Back and Leg Injuries

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Lumbar spine Injury, Back Sprain; Leg Injury- Injuries to knees, legs and calves
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $50,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving Southbound when the defendant’s vehicle which was Northbound on the same road swerved, struck the guardrail causing a chain reaction collision. Plaintiff sustained injuries to his knees, lumbar spine, legs, calves, and toes. Plaintiff sued defendant and her insurer claiming defendant failed to keep a proper look out, failed to drive at a safe speed and failed to avoid the accident. Defendants denied liability, asserted the plaintiff was negligent and had been involved in a prior accident. The judge ruled in favor of plaintiff.
Location: Parish of St. Tammany, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Reich v. Ramirez, 2006-13590

Rear-End Crash Causes Injuries with Loss of Earning Capacity

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Injury to lower back at L4-5 and numbness in legs
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $50,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was involved in a motor vehicle accident when a car driven by defendant struck her vehicle from behind. Plaintiff sustained lower back injuries at L4-5 and numbness in legs. Plaintiff sued defendant and her insurer contending defendant failed to keep her vehicle under proper control. Plaintiff sought damages for medical expenses, lost wage and loss of earning capacity. Defendant denied liability and claimed plaintiff’s injuries resulted from prior back surgery. The judge ruled in favor of plaintiff.
Location: Parish of Orleans, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: McCarter v. Sanchez, 98-20012

Defendant Argues Victim’s Injuries Pre-Existing for Prior Accident

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Lumbosacral strain; sprain and strain of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine; thoracic outlet syndrome
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $51,500
Case Summary: Plaintiffs, was rear ended by a vehicle operated by the defendant and owned by the co-defendant. Plaintiff sustained lumbar sacral strain, cervical strain, thoracic and lumbar spine strain, and thoracic outlet syndrome. Plaintiff sued defendant and codefendant for negligence. Defendants admitted liability and the case proceeded to trial on damages only. Defendants asserted that plaintiff had been involved in prior accidents and the injuries were pre-existing. The judge found in favor of the plaintiff.
Location: Parish of Natchitoches, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Bernard v. Dove, 72,987-A

Plaintiff’s Vehicle Pinned by Backing Truck, Truck Driver Liable

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Injury: Cervical sprain, lumbar strain, facet joint sprain in lumbar spine, Other- carpal tunnel syndrome
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $60,247
Case Summary: Plaintiff attempted to pass defendant’s truck on the left side when defendant placed the truck in reverse, backed down the service road and pinned Plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff sustained cervical sprain, muscle contraction, headaches, lumbar sprain, carpal tunnel syndrome and ligament strain. Plaintiff sued defendant, asserting that he used the travel lanes improperly. Plaintiff sought damages for injuries suffered. Defendant denied all liability, contending that Plaintiff placed her vehicle in his blind spot. The judge found in favor of plaintiff.
Location: Parish of Rapides, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Adkinson v. Scott, 211930

Crash Victim Suffers Arm Fracture, Tendon Rupture

Type of Injury: Arm Injury- Left elbow fracture, triceps tendon rupture, right thumb contusion, second-degree burns to left forearm
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $65,702
Case Summary: Plaintiff was involved in a motor vehicle accident when a vehicle driven by the defendant made an illegal left turn in front of his vehicle causing collision. Plaintiff sustained left elbow fracture, triceps tendon rupture, thumb contusion and third degree burns to the left arm. Plaintiff sued defendant and his insurer seeking damages for medical expenses, lost earnings and loss of pleasure in life. Defendants stipulated to liability, leaving damages to be allotted by the court. The plaintiff was awarded $55,000 in general damages and $10,702.35 in special damages.
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Munson Jr. v. Sevin Jr., 486953

Passenger Suffers Back and Neuro Injuries from Side-Impact Crash

Type of Injury: Back Injury- disc bulge at L3-4 and disc herniation at L4-5; Other- Headaches, neurological injuries
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $80,000
Case Summary: Defendant was attempting to make a left turn when he struck a vehicle injuring a plaintiff who was a passenger in the subject vehicle. Plaintiff sustained neck and back injuries, internal disk disruption and a disk bulge. Plaintiff sued defendant, his insurer and her own liability carrier. Plaintiff contended defendant drove negligently. All Defendants denied liability. The jury returned a plaintiff verdict, awarding $35,000.00 for pain and suffering $2,000.00 for mental distress and $43,000.00 for past medical expenses.
Location: Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Schmidt v. Harvey, 504022

Bicyclist Hit By Truck, Award Reduced for Pre-Existing Injuries

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Central disc herniations at L4-5 and L5-S1, General Injuries to neck, head and teeth
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $100,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was hit while riding his bicycle by a truck driven by the defendant. Plaintiff sustained central disc herniations at L4-5 and L5-S1, head, neck, and teeth injuries. Plaintiff sued defendant for negligence for failing to keep a proper lookout. Plaintiff sought damages for pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Defendants denied liability, contending that Plaintiff be assigned contributory fault for possession of crack cocaine at the time of the accident. The judge ruled in favor of Plaintiff but reduced plaintiff award from $150,000 to $ 100,000 due to pre- existing injuries.
Location: Parish of Ascension, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Poirrier v. Stevenson, 78942

Injured Plaintiff Shares Fault, Jury Verdict Reduced to Policy Limits

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Herniated disc
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $100,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was involved in a motor vehicle accident when a car driven by defendant ran a red light and struck his vehicle. Plaintiff sustained severe disk herniation. Plaintiff sued defendant for failure to stop for a red light. Plaintiff sought damages for lost wages, pain and suffering and property damage. Defendant denied liability, asserting that Plaintiff drove in a reckless manner. Jury found defendant 60% at fault and plaintiff 40%. The jury returned a plaintiff verdict, awarding $266,037.50, which was reduced to $100,000.00 by court per policy limits.
Location: Parish of Orleans, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Ghosh v. Johnson, 02-13385

Judgment Entered for Victim with Back and Knee Injuries

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Lumbar spine injury; Other- Left knee injury
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $129,422
Case Summary: Defendant failed to yield the right of way and drove into plaintiff’s lane of travel at an intersection, causing a collision. Plaintiff sustained lumbar spine and left knee injury. Plaintiff sued defendant contending that defendant failed to yield and failed to maintain proper control of his vehicle. Plaintiff sought compensation for injuries suffered. Defendants denied liability and asserted 3rd party negligence. The Judge entered judgment in favor of the plaintiff in the amount of $65,000 for general damages, $13,090 for lost wages, $31,332.38 for medical expenses and $20,000 for pain and suffering.
Location: Parish of Orleans, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Alexander v. Zachery, 04-15642

Mother and Children Injured in Head-On Collison

Type of Injury: Arm Injury- Multiple fractures to right forearm; Other- abrasions and burns to abdomen and neck, cut lip
Type of Accident: Head-On
Award/Settlement Amount: $138,548
Case Summary: A vehicle operated by the defendant ran a stop sign and crashed into Plaintiffs’ car. Plaintiffs (a mother and her three children) sustained multiple fractures to right forearm and burns to abdomen and neck. Plaintiff sued defendant for failure to stop for a stop sign. They sought compensation for mental anguish, medical expenses, lost wages and loss of consortium. Parties stipulated to liability and the minor’s claims were settled. The judge awarded the mother $80,000 for pain and suffering $48,547.67 medical expenses and $10,000 for loss of consortium
Location: Parish of Caddo, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Murray v. Zills, 487112-B

Court Award to Plaintiff with Disabling Back Injury

Type of Injury: Back Injury- Injuries to lower back in L5-S1
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $281,922
Case Summary: Plaintiff’s vehicle was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by the defendant. Plaintiff sustained injuries to lower back in L5-S1, requiring disc replacement surgery. Plaintiff sued defendants, contending defendant failed to keep a proper lookout. Plaintiff sought damages for personal injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages. Defendants denied all liability. The judge found in favor of plaintiff, awarding $50,000 for pain and suffering, $147,922.23 for medical expenses, $30,000 for disability, $34,000 for lost wages, and $20,000 for lost enjoyment of life.
Location: Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Arnold v. Hill, 480840

Jury Verdict In Favor of Victim, Defendants Disputed Injuries

Type of Injury: Back & Neck Injuries- Disc herniations at C3-4 and C5-6 levels and at L4-5 and L5-S1
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $649,780
Case Summary: In the course of employment, Defendant lost control of his vehicle on a highway and struck plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff sustained herniated disks in his back and neck. Plaintiff sued defendant, his employer, and their insurance liability carrier. Plaintiff contended defendant was negligent in operating the vehicle. Defendants denied liability and disputed extent of plaintiff’s injuries asserting the injuries were aggravated after plaintiff carried heavy cement while working as a swimming pool contractor. The jury returned plaintiff verdict, awarding $649,779.52 for past and future damages.
Location: Parish of Orleans, Louisiana
Case Name and Docket Number: Collins v. Hebert, 02-1322

Methodology

We gathered a group of actual car accident lawsuits filed in Louisiana courts. Some cases settled before trial, others won a court award from a judge or jury.

To avoid inflating the payout expected by an individual injury victim, in cases with more than one plaintiff the Award/Settlement Amount reflects the highest payout issued to one plaintiff, not the total award issued in the case.

Averages are calculated by adding all the payouts in a group and dividing the total by the number of cases in the group. Final payout numbers are rounded.