The science of headaches from motor vehicle accident cases is evolving. So are the settlement compensation payouts in car accident cases where headaches are a primary injury.
We are learning more about what we do not know about head and neck injuries and how they impact the brain. These NFL players’ lawsuits and head injuries of veterans in Iraq and Afghanistan underscore how nascent the science of these injuries still is.
The conventional wisdom had always been that you can get a concussion or a head or neck injury in a motor vehicle accident, and usually the problem would resolve itself with a little rest. People now realize that headaches from auto accidents can be debilitating and can last the rest of your life.
Settlement and Verdict Statistics in Headache Cases
One study found that the average verdict for headaches is just over $30,000. The median, arguably a more telling number, is $11,000. But, again, you cannot get bogged down in these numbers. Every case is different, and there are headache cases worth millions of dollars.
Statistical data on the value of any personal injury claim is bound to be slightly misleading. This problem is compounded by headache cases for several reasons. Rarely, is a headache the only injury in the crash. So many of these cases where there are headaches are categorized.
There are also way too many minor headache cases that are brought that completely distort the data. There is a big difference between “I had a headache for weeks after the accident” and “I have had massive migraine headaches ever since the crash, and my neurologist thinks it will be this way the rest of my life.” But these two polar extremes are thrown together in the settlement and verdict studies.
How Much Compensation Will I Get for Headaches in a Car Accident Case?
Our lawyers estimate that the average settlement value of a head or neck injury resulting in headaches is between $15,000 and $35,000 based on the severity of the headaches and the credibility of the victim. The average jury verdict in these cases is $30,000. Some headache cases can have a much higher value depending on the specific circumstances.
What Impacts Settlement Compensation of Headache Cases?
The settlement compensation of a personal injury case involving headaches is primarily based on the extent and severity of the head injury and the nature of the resulting headaches.
If the headaches are the result of a significant head injury like a severe concussion, they will have a higher potential settlement value. Prolonged or chronic migraines after a car accident will also have a higher value.
Headaches are subjective injuries, so another factor that impacts value in these cases is the plaintiff’s credibility. If a jury likes and respects the victim, that has an outsized impact on the compensation awarded.
Can You Bring a Car Accident Case Based on Headaches?
You can bring a car accident lawsuit based on headaches. Still, you probably won’t have much success getting significant compensation unless the headaches are the result of some demonstrable physical injury to your head. It is rare to see a car accident case where a headache is the only injury.
Sample Verdicts and Settlement
Below are sample verdicts and settlements in headaches caused by motor vehicle accident cases (and one malpractice case for treating headaches).
These cases illustrate how juries (trial) and insurance companies (settlement) valued these particular cases. But these cases do not and cannot predict the outcome of future cases. So many more variables go into these claims that are only partially described, such as quality of counsel, venue, and applicable law.
- 2024, Baltimore City, Maryland: $9,281 Verdict. A Baltimore City Police cruiser made a negligent left turn in the plaintiff’s path causing a collision. The plaintiff allegedly suffered a chest wall contusion; rib pain; right lateral abdominal pain; sprain/strain of the cervicothoracic and thoracolumbar spine with bilateral facet joint injury; bilateral shoulder sprains; left hip sprain; right elbow, forearm, hand, and wrist sprains; and headaches.
- 2024, Baltimore County, Maryland: $5,000 Verdict. The plaintiff was driving on the highway in stop and go traffic and the defendant rear-ended her when she slowed for traffic ahead. The plaintiff allegedly suffered sprains/strains to her lumbar spine, thoracic spine, and trapezius; a chest wall contusion; and post-traumatic headaches. The small size of the verdict is a clear indication that the jury did not believe that her alleged injuries were actually related to the accident.
- 2023, Baltimore County, Maryland: $101,000 Verdict. The plaintiff was a pedestrian walking westbound and attempted to cross a road when she was struck by an eastbound underinsured vehicle. The plaintiff allegedly suffered a cervical strain, post-traumatic headaches, dizziness, a scalp laceration, multiple abrasions, and a thoracic strain. She said the injury to her cervical spine was permanent. The plaintiff brought claim against State Farm for UIM benefits.
- 2023, Anne Arundel County, Maryland $330,200 Verdict. The plaintiff was stopped in the road for traffic when he was rear-ended by the defendant. The plaintiff reportedly suffered injuries to his neck, back, right arm, and right wrist and suffered frequent headaches following the accident. Liability was admitted and the case went to trial on damages only.
- 2022, Baltimore City, Maryland $20,000 Verdict. The plaintiff was stopped at a red traffic light and an underinsured driver made a left turn and struck his vehicle on the driver’s side. The plaintiff allegedly suffered a traumatic brain injury, characterized by post-traumatic loss of consciousness, post-traumatic amnesia, right-sided headaches, and dizziness with ataxia.
- 2021, Baltimore City, Maryland: $49,257 Verdict. The plaintiff was driving an MTA bus when he was rear-ended by the defendant. The plaintiff reported injuries including post traumatic headaches and musculo-ligamentous sprain of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar levels of his spine. The plaintiff was assessed with a 15 percent permanent partial impairment of the head, 20 percent permanent partial impairment of the neck and 20 percent permanent partial impairment of the back.
- 2020, Prince George’s County, Maryland: $562,797 Verdict. A man was sideswiped. He sustained a traumatic brain injury, facial abrasions, a head laceration, left eye irritation, left foot paresthesia, a C3-4 herniation, an L5-S1 bulge, lumbar radiculopathy, a torn rotator cuff, and bicipital tendinitis. The man developed post-traumatic headaches, post-concussion syndrome, cognitive issues, and post-traumatic stress disorder. He alleged negligence against the at-fault driver. The man claimed he failed to yield the right-of-way, negligently changed lanes, and failed to maintain an appropriate lookout. The defense denied liability. A Prince George’s County jury ruled in the man’s favor. They awarded him $562,797.
- 2020, Baltimore City, Maryland: $24,674 Verdict. A woman was rear-ended. She suffered a concussion, a trigeminal nerve disturbance, and C4-7 spondylosis. The woman developed recurring headaches, reduced left cheek sensation, and light sensitivity. She alleged negligence against the at-fault driver. The woman claimed she failed to operate her vehicle safely and excessively sped. A Baltimore City jury awarded her a payout of $24,674.
- 2020, Baltimore City, Maryland: $19,341 Verdict. A woman was rear-ended by an unknown driver that left the scene. She suffered cervical and thoracic strains and sprains, cervicalgia, and C5-6 degeneration. The woman developed post-traumatic headaches. She made a UIM claim with Allstate. The woman alleged that the unknown driver’s negligence caused her injuries. She also alleged that Allstate breached its contract with her. The Baltimore City jury awarded the woman $19,341.
- 2020, Baltimore City, Maryland: $8,885 Verdict. A woman was T-boned. She suffered spinal strains. The woman also suffered chest, left knee, and left thigh contusions. She developed post-traumatic headaches. The woman’s minor passenger suffered personal injuries. She alleged that the at-fault driver’s negligence caused their injuries. The woman claimed she ran a red light. They also made a UIM claim against Geico. A Baltimore City jury awarded $8,885.
- 2019, Baltimore City, Maryland: $15,000 Settlement. A man was rear-ended on I-895. He suffered brain, neck, and back injuries. The man also developed headaches. He alleged negligence against the at-fault driver. The man claimed he excessively sped and failed to maintain an appropriate lookout. The defense admitted liability but contested the damages. This case settled for $15,000.
- 2019, Prince George’s County, Maryland: $71,435 Verdict. A woman was rear-ended. She suffered headaches. The woman also strained her neck, back, right hamstring, and shoulder. Her male passenger suffered spinal sprains and strains. The two alleged negligence against the at-fault driver. They claimed he failed to brake in a timely manner and recklessly operated his vehicle. The two also made a UIM claim against Nationwide. A Prince George’s County jury awarded $71,435.
- 2019, Montgomery County, Maryland: $271,000 Verdict. A man was rear-ended. He suffered a concussion and unspecified spinal injuries. The man developed post-traumatic headaches. He alleged negligence against the at-fault driver. The man claimed he ignored the road and properly control his vehicle. A Montgomery County jury awarded $271,000.
- 2018, Prince George’s County, Maryland: $78,316 Verdict. A man was T-boned. He suffered a left rotator tear, while his female passenger suffered headaches. They both developed post-traumatic stress disorder. The two alleged negligence against the at-fault driver. They claimed he failed to yield the right-of-way and made a negligent left turn. The defense contested the damages. A Prince George’s County jury awarded $78,316.
- 2017, Baltimore City, Maryland: $70,000 Verdict. A woman was T-boned. She suffered spinal strains, left leg abrasions, and unspecified right shoulder, arm, and knee injuries. The woman developed post-traumatic headaches. Her female passenger suffered a fractured left wrist, a left rotator cuff tear, head lacerations and bruises, eye irritation, and right thigh and knee injuries. She also developed post-traumatic stress headaches. The two alleged that the at-fault driver’s negligence caused their injuries. They claimed he ran a red light and failed to yield the right-of-way. The Baltimore City jury awarded the two a $70,000 verdict.
- 2016, Anne Arundel County, Maryland: $81,034 Verdict. A woman was rear-ended. She suffered unspecified head, neck, shoulder, arm, and finger injuries. The woman also developed left arm numbness, headaches, dizziness, vertigo, and mental anguish. She alleged negligence against the at-fault driver. The woman claimed he recklessly operated his vehicle and failed to yield the right-of-way. She also made a UIM claim against State Farm. The Anne Arundel County jury awarded the woman $81,034.
- 2015, Anne Arundel County, Maryland: $300,633.73 Verdict. An adult female is in a rear-end collision with the defendant at a stop sign. Due to the accident, she suffers a hairline fracture of her skull, headaches, emotional distress, and injuries to her back and neck. The defendant attempts to argue contributory negligence on the plaintiff’s part and to dispute the reasonableness of the medical services provided, but a jury agrees with the plaintiff and awards her $300,633.73.
- 2015, Montgomery County, Maryland: $32,284 Verdict. A 26-year-old female is rear-ended while stopped at a traffic signal. She suffers from radiating neck pain, numbness, and tingling in her fingers, temporary loss of hearing, headaches, and emotional distress as a result. Her fibromyalgia also flares up after being asymptomatic for four years prior. The defendant attempted to argue the extent and causation of the plaintiff’s injuries, but a jury awarded her $32,284.
- 2015, Prince George’s County, Maryland: $16,066 Verdict. An adult male is involved in a collision with the defendant driver, who has lost control of his vehicle. The plaintiff suffers a concussion with loss of consciousness, post-traumatic headaches, memory problems, cervical strains, and emotional distress as a result. The defendant admits he was negligent and liable but disputes the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries. The jury agreed with the plaintiff and awarded him $16,066.
- 2014, Baltimore City, Maryland: $262,000 Verdict. A 38-year old taxi driver is proceeding through an intersection when the defendant’s vehicle runs a red light and strikes his vehicle. Due to the collision, the plaintiff suffers a brain injury that leads to headaches, poor balance, dizziness, poor concentration, depression, disc herniations and bulges in his back, chest wall contusions, and back sprains. The defendant admits he is liable but disputes the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries. A jury agrees with the plaintiff and awards him $12,000 in medical expenses and $250,000 in non-economic damages.
- 2014, Prince George’s County, Maryland: $53,319 Verdict. An adult female is driving her vehicle when she is struck from the rear by the defendant’s vehicle. As a result, she experiences cervical facet syndrome, which leads to cervicogenic headaches, along with injuries to her back, left shoulder, and hips. They awarded her $53,319. (2014 WL 4749486)
- May 2014, Florida: $794,572 Verdict: A 37-year-old youth counselor was involved in a collision in Milton. She was rushed by ambulance to a local emergency room with concerns of neck and back discomfort and headaches. X-rays were conducted, and she was discharged. A few weeks later, she visited her primary care doctor with complaints of neck and back pain. She was referred to a chiropractor who diagnosed her with posterior soft-tissue injuries in her lower back. She also sought treatment with a neurologist for constant headaches. The at-fault driver’s insurance company agreed to settle for the policy’s $25,000 limit. She then brought an underinsured motorist claim against her own insurance, State Farm. Naturally, State Farm argued the woman had no apparent signs of head or brain issues and contended she had a history of treatment for migraine headaches. A Pensacola court disagreed and awarded nearly $800,000.
- March 2014, Maryland: $61,628 Verdict: A 78-year-old retiree was involved in a collision at Migrator and Newburgh Road intersection in Catonsville. Following the collision, he sought treatment from his primary care doctor with complaints of headaches and lower back pain. He was diagnosed with post-concussive syndrome and required physical therapy for aggravation of a prior lumbar fusion. Throughout the year, he found he was unable to work as he experienced debilitating headaches and light sensitivity. He sued the driver, claiming the Defendant failed to stop for a stop sign and failed to yield the right of way. The plaintiff’s primary care physician testified that the Plaintiff did not have headaches before the accident. This is usually key in all tort cases. But it is particularly on in headache cases because so many people have them without getting in an accident. Defendant argued that Plaintiff had pre-existing lower back problems that were unrelated to the crash and that there was no objective proof of headaches. A Baltimore County jury rendered a $61,628 verdict for the Plaintiff.
- June 2013, Maryland: $620,000 Verdict: After she had developed a severe headache, a 41-year-old woman visited the emergency room at University of Maryland Medical Center. There she was given a spinal tap, administered painkillers and released. Less than 24 hours later she developed severe neck pain and returned to the emergency room. Additional testing revealed a cervical disk herniation that required three-level fusion surgery. She sued the hospital for medical malpractice, claiming the staff applied excessive pressure to her neck while preparing her for the spinal tap. A Baltimore City jury found the Defendant negligent and awarded the woman $620,000.
- April 2013, Maryland: $2,301,250 Verdict: A 48-year-old occupational therapist was driving down Oakridge Drive in Hagerstown when rear-ended by a Zurich insured truck. She was transported to a local emergency room for treatment for a concussion and whiplash. She sued the driver for motor vehicle negligence and his employer for vicarious liability. Plaintiff claimed after the accident she experienced ongoing headaches, dizziness, vertigo, and difficulty finding her way to clients’ homes. Defendants argued the Plaintiff’s headaches and dizziness were caused by pre-existing migraine headaches unrelated to the accident; Plaintiff denied any pre-existing migraine headaches. A Washington County jury heard both arguments before rendering a $2,301,250 verdict for the Plaintiff.
- July 2012, California: $26,381 Verdict: A 14-year-old high school student was riding her skateboard on the crosswalk at the intersection of Mission and Bosworth in San Francisco (a big SF intersection) when she was struck by a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle did not call 911 but instead dropped her and two friends off at the hospital. There, she was treated for a right wrist sprain and discharged. Shortly after the accident, she began to experience frequent headaches and neck pain. Filing on her behalf, her father sued the driver for motor vehicle negligence. Plaintiff claimed she had the “walk” symbol when Defendant failed to yield the right of way. Plaintiff contended Defendant, as the only adult at the scene, was responsible for notifying the police and neglected to provide his contact information. Defendant claimed Plaintiff was comparatively at fault because as she was riding a skateboard without a helmet. Defendant also contended the extent of Plaintiff’s injuries, claiming the complaints of head and neck pain were not until 2 to 3 months after the accident. This is the usual defense argument. It worked a little bit here. A San Francisco jury awarded Plaintiff $26,380.80. However, they found Plaintiff was 20% liable, which reduced the award to $21,104.64.
- April 2012, Virginia: $150,000 Settlement: A woman was involved in a sideswipe collision with a Progressive-insured driver in Loudon County. She received treatment for headaches and nausea along with treatment for a cervical strain. She sued the driver that struck her for motor vehicle negligence. While the defendant did not dispute liability, he did contend that the plaintiff’s headaches were not permanent. Both parties agreed to settle prior for $150,000.
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