See settlements and court awards for Oklahoma side-impact crashes. Look for injuries similar to yours.

Throughout the United States, 23 percent of car accident fatalities occur in side-impact collisions.¹

The average settlement for a moderate side-impact collision in Oklahoma is $42,941. The payouts in our sample range from $481 for minor soft tissue injuries to $3,500,000 for severe head injuries.

Average Payouts for Oklahoma Side-Impact Collisions

These averages are drawn from actual car accident cases filed in Oklahoma courts. Unusually high payouts in a group will skew the average higher for that group.

Average Payout by Severity of Injury
Minor Injury	$5,658
Moderate Injury	$42,941
Severe Injury	$1,144,000
Payout Range by Type of Injury
Neck and Back Injuries	$7,258 - $1,975,000
Head Injuries	$481 - $3,500,000

Factors Affecting Oklahoma Accident Payouts

Oklahoma is a traditional fault state. That means car accident victims have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault driver by filing a claim with the driver’s insurance company, or filing a lawsuit against the negligent driver. By comparison, in no-fault states, injured car accident victims must first rely on their own insurance, no matter who caused the crash.

Other factors that influence injury payouts in Oklahoma:

• Pre-existing Conditions – Insurance companies and defense lawyers will fight claims for injuries that may have been caused by other car accidents or prior medical issues.
• Shared Fault – Oklahoma is a modified comparative negligence state. You can seek compensation even if you share some of the fault for your injuries, so long as you are not more to blame than the other party. Your payout will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
• Auto Policy Limits – Oklahoma requires all drivers to carry insurance at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident bodily injury liability, and $25,000 property damage liability. Your compensation may be limited to the at-fault driver’s coverage.
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage – Oklahoma requires auto policies to include uninsured motorist coverage equal to your liability limits to protect you if the at-fault driver has no insurance, or not enough insurance to cover your injuries.
• Multiple Claimants – When multiple people are injured in the same collision, there may not be enough insurance coverage to go around.
• Non-Economic Damages Cap – Oklahoma limits non-economic damages in personal injury cases to $350,000, except in special circumstances.
• Punitive Damages: Punitive damages are only awarded by a jury when the at-fault party showed a wanton disregard for others. Punitive, or “exemplary” damages are limited to $100,000 or equal to the amount of actual damages awarded. Punitive damage awards for intentional harm are limited to $500,000.

Minor Injury Case Examples

Minor injuries from a side-impact collision include soft-tissue bumps and bruises, sprains, strains and small lacerations. The person might miss a few days of work, and will be fully recovered in a matter of weeks.

Small Award for Side-Impact Parking Garage Accident

Type of Injury: Head injury-Subdural hematoma; swelling in legs.
Severity Rating: Minor
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $481
Case Summary: Plaintiff drove his vehicle into a parking garage. As he was proceeding through the garage, defendant backed out of a parking space into plaintiff’s vehicle, striking it on the passenger side between the front and rear doors. Plaintiff was involved in a single vehicle accident one month earlier and a third accident three weeks later. Hospital records from the prior accident reflected head trauma, headaches and a slight concussion. Plaintiff however maintained that he suffered subdural hematoma requiring surgery, resulting in swollen legs from this accident. Defendant denied liability. He argued that plaintiff’s injuries were proximately related to prior accident. Jury returned a plaintiff verdict of $481, the amount of the emergency room charges plaintiff incurred the day following this accident.
Location: Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Pinon v. Burnett, CJ-2011-00092

Side-Impact Crash Aggravates Pre-Existing Knee Injury

Type of Injury: Aggravation of preexisting left knee injury.
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $4,200
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle. Defendant attempted to make a left turn and collided with plaintiff’s host vehicle. Plaintiff claimed his host driver was proceeding through an intersection with a green light and defendant failed to yield the right-of-way. He acknowledged a prior knee injury, but argued this accident aggravated his condition. He claimed ongoing pain and suffering. Defendant denied liability for the accident and contended that she had a green turn arrow at the intersection. Defendant also claimed plaintiff did not suffer any additional injury as a result of the accident. The parties agreed to a $4,200 pre-trial settlement.
Location: Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Johnson v. Schafer, CJ-2012-2634

Motorcyclist Injured in Side-Impact Collision

Type of Injury: Head injury-Traumatic brain injury (memory loss), fractured ribs, and pneumonia
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $4,509
Case Summary: Defendant turned left out of a parking lot into the path of plaintiff, who was riding a motorcycle. Plaintiff struck the side of defendant’s vehicle. Plaintiff claimed he suffered from memory loss, fractured ribs, and pneumonia as a result of the accident. Defendant admitted she was negligent for failing to see plaintiff, but disputed causation and damages. Before the accident, plaintiff was diagnosed with optic neuritis, which is a warning sign for multiple sclerosis. Defendant contended the memory loss was not caused by the accident, primarily because the first report of memory loss in the medical records was over one year after the accident and the MRIs did not substantiate a condition which would cause memory loss. Jury returned a plaintiff verdict for $4,509.
Location: Cleveland County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Danette v. Antonio, CJ-2011-5015

Mother and Children Injured in Side-Impact Collision

Type of Injury: Back and neck injuries-Soft tissue cervical, thoracic and lumbar
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $7,258
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving with two of her minor daughters as passengers. Defendant attempted to make a left turn in front of plaintiffs’ oncoming vehicle and their vehicles collided. The intersection where this accident occurred was controlled by a traffic light. Plaintiffs had the green light. All plaintiffs claimed soft tissue neck and back injuries as a result of this collision. Defendant admitted fault, but contested plaintiff’s damages. Defendant however offered to settle the matter by paying $21,744, which plaintiff driver accepted on her own behalf and on behalf of her daughters. The Court approved the settlement.
Location: Canadian County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Galvan v. Gray, CJ-2015-00522

Plaintiff Settles Disputed Side-Impact Crash Injury Claim

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries.
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $7,500
Case Summary: Plaintiff was traveling on a two lane road when defendant made a left turn in the path of plaintiff’s oncoming vehicle. Plaintiff claimed soft tissue neck and back injuries. She received one month of physical therapy and pain medication. She claimed approximately $3,000 in medical expenses. Defendant admitted failing to yield the right-of-way and causing the accident but disputed the duration and extent of plaintiff’s medical treatment, as well as the duration of her ongoing pain complaints. Defendant also argued that plaintiff’s physical therapy was excessive. However, defendant’s liability carrier agreed to a $7,500 settlement prior to trial.
Location: Tulsa County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Scott v. Ohio Casualty Insurance, CJ-2011-1380

Plaintiff Suffers Crushed Chin from Side-Impact Collision

Type of Injury: Chin injury-bruising
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $10,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff claimed that defendant, who was exiting a private driveway failed to see plaintiff’s car from the opposite side of the street and drove into the back of the driver’s side of plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff asserted that the impact from the wreck caused a crush-like injury to her chin, as well as bruising. Defendant argued that he had the right-of-way and plaintiff failed to yield to his vehicle. There was no real dispute over plaintiff’s injury. This case was subsequently resolved for $10,000 pursuant to a high/low agreement prior to the jury verdict.
Location: Payne County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Lena v. Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., CJ-2010-7981

Moderate Injury Case Examples

Recovery from moderate injuries could take several weeks or months. Moderate car accident injuries include extensive soft tissue injuries; muscle, tendon, or ligament strains; herniated or bulging discs; bone fractures; and concussions. Victims may be left with residual effects and could be out of work for months.

Driver and Employer Liable for Child’s Side-Impact Crash Injuries

Type of Injury: Back injuries
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $11,693
Case Summary: Plaintiff said his minor son was involved in a motor vehicle accident that was caused by defendant driver. Defendant who was operating a vehicle in the course of his employment with co-defendant. The minor claimed back injuries. Defendants disputed liability for the accident and the plaintiff’s claimed injuries and damages. The plaintiff requested court approval of a $11,693 settlement reached with defendants for plaintiff’s claims of pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, incidental expenses. Judge entered an order approving the settlement.
Location: Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Barton v. Elliott Truck Line, Inc., CJ-2004-785

Driver Runs Red Light, Causes Side-Impact Collision

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $16,000
Case Summary: At an intersection controlled by a traffic light, plaintiff entered the intersection on a green arrow. He was struck by defendant’s vehicle when defendant ran a red light. Plaintiff claimed soft tissue neck and back injuries which required one month of medical treatment and nine days of physical therapy. Plaintiff alleged defendant was negligent in failing to obey a traffic signal and was driving under the influence of alcohol. Defendant admitted he ran the red light and caused the accident. However, he denied that his blood alcohol content was more than .14. Plaintiff agreed to accept a $16,000 settlement.
Location: Tulsa County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Ludtke v. Dobson, CJ-2021-00352

Father and Children Settle Side-Impact Injury Claims

Type of Injury: Closed head injury; trauma with soft tissue back injury.
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $25,833
Case Summary: Plaintiff was operating his vehicle with two of his minor children riding as passengers. Defendant, who was operating her own vehicle in an adjacent lane, changed lanes and hit plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff claimed he suffered a closed head injury with no cognitive deficits while both minors suffered trauma with soft tissue back injuries. Plaintiff alleged that defendant was negligent in the operation of her vehicle. Defendant disputed plaintiff’s damages claim. The parties resolved the claims through a settlement agreement wherein defendant’s liability carrier would pay the plaintiffs $77,500.
Location: Cleveland County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Brannen v. Escobar, CJ-2014-01007

Defendant Disputes Plaintiff’s Side-Impact Crash Injuries

Type of Injury: Hip, back and neck injuries
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $30,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff sued defendant, claiming that defendant’s negligence was the cause of a motor vehicle accident. Plaintiff alleged she sustained hip, back and neck injuries. During the jury trial, defendant admitted negligence so that the only issue for the jury was the amount of damages. Defendant asserted that plaintiff was not injured in the accident and that she had a pre-existing condition very similar in nature to the injuries she claimed in conjunction to the accident. Jury awarded plaintiff $30,000. Plaintiff filed a motion for additur or in the alternative for a new trial. The court denied the motion.
Location: Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: McCauley v. Baxter, CJ-2011-6037

Side-Impact Case Settlement Includes Underinsured Coverage

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $50,000
Case Summary: Defendant was operating his vehicle in rush hour traffic. He was attempting to cross a street to access a service road which ran parallel to the road he was traveling on. There was a car in the right eastbound through lane blocking defendant’s view of oncoming traffic in the far lane. He inched into the far lane and was struck by plaintiff motorist. Plaintiff claimed soft tissue neck and back injuries. Plaintiff argued that defendant failed to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. Plaintiff’s injuries were not disputed. Parties subsequently entered into a settlement agreement whereby defendant’s insurer agreed to pay $25,000 for liability coverage and plaintiff’s insurer $25,000 for underinsured motorist coverage, in exchange for the release and discharge from all further liability related to the accident.
Location: Cleveland County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Kelm v. Willitzer, CJ-2011-780

T-Bone Collision Case Settled Before Trial

Type of Injury: Connective tissue shoulder injury and a thoracic annular tear at T7
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $60,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff and defendant were operating their respective vehicles on intersecting streets. Defendant entered an intersection from a stop sign in front of plaintiff’s oncoming vehicle, resulting in a ”T-bone” collision. This was a mild to moderate impact. Plaintiff claimed connective tissue shoulder injury and a thoracic annular tear at T7 as a direct result of this accident. Defendant disputed injury causation. She asserted that plaintiff had a preexisting back injury when he was struck by a golf club in the thoracic spine, resulting in similar complaints. Defendant also argued that plaintiff was involved in a prior motor vehicle accident with shoulder injuries. According to plaintiff, any preexisting injuries had resolved, and this impact caused new, acute symptoms. The parties settled the case shortly before trial for $60,000.
Location: Rogers County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Wheatcraft v. Dill, CJ-2015-00439

Teen Passenger Injured in Side-Impact Crash Settles Case

Type of Injury: Neck and back injuries-cervical strain/sprain
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $65,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff, age 17, was a passenger in a vehicle operated by his mother when they were involved in a collision with a vehicle operated by defendant. Both vehicles were travelling through an intersection. Plaintiff claimed neck and back injuries. Plaintiff sought emergency treatment immediately following the accident and was diagnosed with a cervical strain/sprain. He presented a second time to the emergency room, followed by chiropractic care and physical therapy. Plaintiffs claimed that defendant failed to stop for a stop sign and failed to yield the right-of-way. Defendant acknowledged that the plaintiff was entitled to reimbursement of his initial emergency room visit, but argued that any subsequent treatment was excessive and unrelated to this accident. The parties subsequently settled the claim for $65,000.
Location: Tulsa County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Bolanos v. Galloway, CJ-2015-02788

Jury Verdict for Victim Scarred in Side-Impact Collision

Type of Injury: Head injury-lacerations to his forehead and eye
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $85,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a non-party vehicle. Defendant, who was operating his own vehicle, collided with plaintiff’s vehicle in an intersection. Defendant told the investigating police officer that his view of traffic was obscured by a vehicle parked to the left of a stop sign at the intersection. Plaintiff was transported via ambulance to a local emergency room for injuries that included lacerations to his forehead and eye. He underwent immediate surgery to close the wounds and another surgery several months later to revise the scars. Defendant disputed only the value of plaintiff’s injury. Defendant contended that plaintiff made a good recovery with only minor, residual scarring. jury returned an $85,000 verdict for the plaintiff.
Location: Tulsa County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Wilbert v. Ritter, CJ-1998-217

Severe Injury Case Examples

Severe injuries from a side-impact collision can be life-threatening. Victims often sustain more than one type of injury, including brain trauma, internal injuries, complex fractures, back and neck injuries, disc damage, and significant scarring. Victims may be left with permanent disabilities that impair their activities of daily living, including employment.

Side-Impact Crash Victim Settles Multiple-Injury Case

Type of Injury: Closed head injury; Cervical discs herniation at C5-6; lower leg extremity injury
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $108,000
Case Summary: Defendant turned left into plaintiff’s lane of travel. He struck plaintiff’s car on the driver’s side. Plaintiff went to an emergency room immediately after the impact. He suffered a closed head injury, lower leg extremity injury, and cervical discs herniation at C5-C6. The cervical injury required surgical fusion. Plaintiff alleged defendant was negligent in failing to maintain proper control of his vehicle and failing to keep a proper lookout. Defendant denied both liability and damages. Parties reached settlement for $108,000 before trial.
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Janke v. Jackson, Jr., CJ-2004-680

Defendant Admits Liability for Broadside Collision

Type of Injury: Head laceration; Back injury-cervical strain
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $275,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was broadsided by Defendant at an intersection. Plaintiff claimed head laceration and back strain because of the wreck. Liability was uncontested and the case proceeded on the issues of causation and damages. Defendant did not deny that plaintiff’s head laceration may have been caused by the accident. However, defendant vigorously disputed that the cervical injury was related in any way to the collision. Defendant argued that plaintiff’s cervical injury and $90,000 in medical expenses were related to the preexisting low back condition but ultimately agreed to a $275,000 settlement.
Location: Tulsa County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Lemons v. Rutledge, CJ-2010-7762

Motorcyclist Suffers Multiple Fractures in Side-Impact Crash

Type of Injury: Dislocated left shoulder; fracture of right distal radius at wrist; fractured pelvis
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $500,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was riding his motorcycle through an intersection. Defendant made a left turn in front of plaintiff’s oncoming motorcycle, resulting in a collision. Plaintiff claimed that he dislocated his left shoulder and fractured his right wrist. He also claimed to have suffered a fractured pelvis, which led to the development of intestinal infections and the need for a colostomy. He was undergoing rehabilitation for the arm injury and was expected to make a full recovery. Plaintiff claimed $248,720 in medical expenses and approximately $25,000 in lost wages. Defendant agreed to settle this case for the policy limits of $500,000.
Location: Edmond, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Wren v. Kinzer, 606578

Passenger Suffers Brain Injuries from Side-Impact Collision

Type of Injury: traumatic brain injury, other injuries.
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $750,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a private vehicle parked in a parking lot. Defendant was operating a motor vehicle owned by his employer, co-defendant, with its express permission and consent. Plaintiff claimed that the vehicle defendant driver was operating violently collided with the vehicle she was in, throwing her around inside the vehicle and injuring her. Plaintiff’s injuries included traumatic brain injury among other injuries. Defendants disputed liability as well as the nature and extent of plaintiff’s injuries but ultimately agreed to $750,000 settlement before trial.
Location: Tulsa County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Kemp v. Stemco Industries, Inc., CJ-2011-00051

Severely Injured T-Bone Victim Settles Case on Day of Trial

Type of Injury: Head injury-traumatic brain injury; Multiple fractures to arm and leg
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $900,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff asserted that he had the right-of-way when he was broadsided by defendant’s vehicle in an intersection. Plaintiff suffered a traumatic brain injury as well as significant orthopedic fractures to his left arm and left leg. Plaintiff underwent multiple surgeries to repair the arm and leg injuries including placement of hardware. There was no dispute that defendant caused the accident. Defendant disputed only the extent and value of the damages. Plaintiff settled with defendant’s carrier for $900,000 on the day of trial.
Location: Tulsa County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Moore v. Warren Transport, Inc., CJ-2015-3489

Drunk Driver Liable for Paralyzing Side-Impact Crash Injuries

Type of Injury: Back injury-Cervical spine injury; spinal instability-quadriplegia
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $1,975,000
Case Summary: Defendant was operating a car owned by co-defendant. Defendant was intoxicated when he negligently caused the vehicle he was operating to cross the median and struck plaintiff’s vehicle on the driver’s side. Plaintiff claimed she sustained cervical spine injury resulting in quadriplegia (paralysis) as a direct result of the accident. Defendants admitted liability on the first day of trial after having initially denied all claims. Plaintiff agreed to a $1,975,000 settlement.
Location: Tulsa County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Terrance v. Algan, CJ-2011-777

Multi-Million Settlement for Side-Impact Crash Injuries

Type of Injury: Head injury- Brain damage/subdural hematoma; Hip injury-Fractured femur
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $3,500,000
Case Summary: Defendant, who was driving a pickup truck loaded with propane tanks, ran a red light, and crashed into the vehicle plaintiff was driving. Plaintiff claimed her femur was fractured because of the accident. She also suffered a subdural hematoma in her left frontal lobe that required an emergency craniotomy. Plaintiff claimed she had to have the left quadrant of her skull removed due to brain swelling. She also had to wear a helmet for two months until she could have cranioplasty. Defendant admitted liability for the accident. However, he contended that plaintiff’s problems were a result of pre-existing intra-cranial hypotension, alcohol and tobacco use, high blood pressure, obesity and coronary artery disease. However, parties agreed to a $3,500,000 settlement prior to trial.
Location: Garfield County, Oklahoma
Case Name and Docket Number: Salters v. Dennett, CJ-2018-00266

Methodology

Our averages and ranges are drawn from real Oklahoma lawsuits filed by plaintiffs who were injured in a side-impact collision. No wrongful death cases are included in the group. Each plaintiff received a court award or settled their case out-of-court.

In cases with more than one injured plaintiff, the Award/Settlement Amount reflects the highest amount issued to a single injured plaintiff.

Average payouts are calculated by adding the total payouts in a group, then dividing by the number of cases in the group.