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Injury guide

Concussion Settlement Calculator for Car Accidents

Estimate a concussion settlement after a car accident. Learn how symptoms, recovery time and documentation affect the value of a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury claim.

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. You do not have to hit your head to get one. A hard jolt can be enough. Symptoms like headaches, dizziness, trouble concentrating, sensitivity to light and sleep changes can show up hours or days after the crash.

Because concussions rarely show on a CT scan, they are easy for an insurer to downplay. Careful documentation makes the difference.

Estimate your concussion claim

The calculator is preset to moderate. Many concussions resolve in days to weeks, which fits minor. If symptoms lasted months or affected your work, moderate or serious may fit better.

$
The billed amount from your ER, doctor, imaging and therapy bills.
$
Only if a doctor has said you need more treatment.
$
Pay you missed because of the injury, including used sick days.
$
Shown separately. It is usually settled on its own, often sooner.
How serious is the injury?
Each state treats shared fault differently. This can change everything.
%
Use 0 if the other driver was fully to blame. Be honest here; the insurer will be.
$
The per-person limit, if you know it. Insurers rarely pay more than the policy limit, no matter what the claim is worth.

Why concussion claims are hard to value

  • They are often invisible on imaging. Diagnosis relies on symptoms and clinical exams.
  • Symptoms vary a lot. Most people recover within days to a few weeks. Some develop lasting symptoms, sometimes called post-concussion syndrome.
  • The effects are often cognitive. Trouble focusing at work or remembering things is real, but it does not produce big medical bills. That can make the multiplier method undervalue the claim. The per diem method can help show the impact of a long recovery.

Documentation that matters

  • Early medical evaluation, ideally the same day or next day
  • A symptom diary: headaches, dizziness, sleep, concentration, mood
  • Follow up with a specialist, such as a neurologist, if symptoms continue
  • Work records showing reduced hours, accommodations or missed deadlines
  • Statements from family or coworkers about changes they noticed

Warning signs to take seriously

Get emergency care right away for a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, slurred speech, confusion, unusual drowsiness, weakness or a seizure. Your health comes first. The claim can wait.

What can change your number

  • Length of symptoms and whether they are ongoing
  • Specialist diagnosis and testing
  • Impact on your job or schooling
  • Your state's no-fault threshold, if you live in a no-fault state
  • The at-fault driver's policy limits

Frequently asked questions

What is a concussion worth in a car accident settlement?

It depends on how long symptoms lasted and how they affected your life. Short-lived concussions are often valued as minor injuries. Lasting symptoms with specialist care can be worth much more.

Can I get a concussion without hitting my head?

Yes. A sudden jolt that moves the brain inside the skull can cause a concussion.

How long do concussion symptoms last?

Most people recover within days to a few weeks. Some have symptoms for months. See a doctor if symptoms continue or get worse.

Sources

  1. Concussion, MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) medlineplus.gov

Last reviewed: . Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Written and checked by

James

James runs ClaimFairly and writes and checks every calculator and guide on the site. Not a lawyer, just someone who thinks drivers deserve to see the math behind their claim.

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