Concussion Settlement Calculator for Car Accidents

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. You do not have to hit your head to get one. A hard jolt that moves the brain inside the skull can be enough, which is why concussions are common even in crashes where the airbag did its job. 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 or MRI, they are easy for an insurer to downplay. The injury is real, but proving it depends on careful documentation. This page explains how concussion claims are valued, what makes them hard, and how to build a record that reflects what you actually went through.

Estimate your concussion claim

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

Medical bills so far

$

The billed amount from your ER, doctor, imaging and therapy bills.

Future medical costs optional

$

Only if a doctor has said you need more treatment.

Lost wages optional

$

Pay you missed because of the injury, including used sick days.

Car repair or property damage optional

$

Shown separately. It is usually settled on its own, often sooner.

How serious is the injury?

MinorSoft tissue, sprains, a few weeks of treatment. Multiplier 1.5 to 2. ModerateMonths of treatment, physical therapy, some missed work. Multiplier 2 to 3. SeriousFractures, injections or surgery, long recovery. Multiplier 3 to 4. SeverePermanent injury, major surgery, lasting limits on daily life. Multiplier 4 to 5.

State where the accident happened Choose your stateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming Each state treats shared fault differently. This can change everything.

Your share of the fault

%

Use 0 if the other driver was fully to blame. Be honest here; the insurer will be.

The other driver's bodily injury limit optional

$

The per-person limit, if you know it. Insurers rarely pay more than the policy limit, no matter what the claim is worth.

Estimate my claim

Common concussion symptoms

• Headache or pressure in the head
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Trouble concentrating or remembering
• Feeling foggy or slowed down
• Sleep changes, sleeping more or less than usual
• Irritability, anxiety or mood changes

Warning signs to take seriously

Get emergency care right away for a headache that gets worse, repeated vomiting, slurred speech, confusion, unusual drowsiness, one pupil larger than the other, weakness or numbness, or a seizure. Your health comes first. The claim can wait.

Why concussion claims are hard to value

• They are often invisible on imaging. Diagnosis relies on symptoms, history 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, forgetting things or struggling with screens is real, but it does not produce big medical bills. That can make the multiplier method undervalue the claim. The per diem method in the pain and suffering calculator can help show the impact of a long recovery.
• Symptoms overlap with other conditions, like stress or poor sleep, which insurers may point to.

Example concussion claims

Claim	Medical bills	Lost wages	Severity	Estimated range
Mild concussion, symptoms gone in two weeks	$2,500	$500	Minor	$6,750 to $8,000
Symptoms for three months, neurologist visits	$6,000	$3,500	Moderate	$21,500 to $27,500
Post-concussion symptoms over a year, therapy	$18,000	$12,000	Serious	$84,000 to $102,000

These assume no shared fault and enough insurance to pay. For long recoveries, compare these multiplier based numbers with the per diem method.

Documentation that matters

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

What can change your number

• Length of symptoms and whether they are ongoing
• Specialist diagnosis and testing
• Impact on your job, schooling or ability to drive
• Your state's no-fault threshold, if you live in a no-fault state
• The at-fault driver's policy limits
• Any share of fault the insurer assigns to you, under your state's negligence rule

Concussions and other injuries

Concussions often happen alongside neck injuries, because the same forces cause both. If you also have neck pain, see our whiplash page. Adding all injuries to one estimate gives a more realistic picture of your claim.

Returning to work, school and driving

Many concussion recovery plans involve a gradual return to normal activity. Your doctor may suggest shorter work days, fewer screens, breaks in a quiet room or time off from driving. Ask for any restrictions in writing and share them with your employer or school. Reduced hours, missed classes and accommodations are part of the impact of the injury, and they belong in your claim.

Talking to an adjuster about a concussion

Adjusters sometimes treat concussions as minor because the medical bills are small. A few tips:

• Describe symptoms specifically: "I get a headache after 20 minutes on a screen," not just "I have headaches."
• Share your symptom diary and specialist notes, not just the ER record.
• Explain how the symptoms affected work, school, driving and family life.
• Avoid downplaying symptoms out of habit. "I'm fine" on a phone call can end up in the claim notes.

Questions to ask your doctor

• What is my diagnosis, and how long do you expect symptoms to last?
• What activities should I limit, and when can I drive again?
• Should I see a specialist or a concussion clinic?
• What symptoms mean I should come back right away?
• Can you document my restrictions for my employer or school?

Next steps

Follow the after-a-crash checklist, keep your symptom diary going, and wait until your doctor can describe your recovery before settling. Then send a written demand with the demand letter generator. Concussions with lasting symptoms are often worth a free consultation with a local attorney.

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.

Will a concussion show up on a CT scan?

Usually not. CT scans look for bleeding or fractures. Concussions are diagnosed mainly from symptoms and exams.

What is post-concussion syndrome?

A term for concussion symptoms that last longer than expected, sometimes for months. It should be diagnosed and managed by a doctor.

Should I keep a symptom diary after a concussion?

Yes. Short daily notes about headaches, sleep, focus and mood are strong evidence and help your doctor too.