How Much Can I Get for a Concussion After a Car Accident?

The impact snapped your head forward. Maybe you hit the steering wheel. Maybe the airbag saved your skull but not your brain. Either way, something wasn’t right. The headache came first. Then the dizziness. Then the fog that made it impossible to think straight, remember simple things, or get through a workday without feeling completely drained.

Your doctor called it a concussion. The insurance company is calling it “minor.”

But there’s nothing minor about a brain injury that disrupts your ability to work, think, and live your life. And in Oklahoma, you may be entitled to far more compensation than the insurance adjuster wants you to believe.

What Is a Concussion, and Why Does It Matter for My Claim?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a sudden impact or jolt to the head. In car accidents, concussions happen when the force of a collision causes the brain to strike the inside of the skull. This can occur from a direct blow, like your head hitting the dashboard or window, or from the violent back-and-forth motion of a rear-end impact, even without direct contact.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies concussions as mild TBIs, but that medical label is misleading. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, but car accidents are the second leading cause. And the effects of a so-called “mild” concussion can be anything but mild.

Symptoms can include persistent headaches, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, sensitivity to light and noise, dizziness, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. For some people, these symptoms resolve within weeks. For others, they persist for months or even permanently, a condition known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS).

Insurance companies exploit the word “mild” to minimize your claim. Don’t let them.

How Much Is a Concussion Worth in an Oklahoma Car Accident Case?

There’s no fixed dollar amount for a concussion claim because every case is different. The value of your case depends on specific factors unique to your situation. However, concussion settlements in car accident cases can range from tens of thousands of dollars for straightforward cases to six or even seven figures when symptoms are severe, prolonged, or permanent.

Several key factors drive the value of an Oklahoma concussion claim.

The severity and duration of your symptoms matter enormously. A concussion that resolves in two weeks creates fewer damages than one that lingers for six months or longer. If you develop post-concussion syndrome with ongoing cognitive difficulties, your claim’s value increases significantly.

The strength of your medical documentation is critical. Insurance companies will challenge concussion claims aggressively because the symptoms are often subjective. Strong documentation from emergency room visits, neurological evaluations, CT or MRI scans, and follow-up appointments with specialists creates the medical foundation your case needs.

Your total medical expenses including emergency care, diagnostic imaging, neurology consultations, physical therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and any medications directly affect the economic value of your claim.

Lost wages and lost earning capacity add up fast when a concussion prevents you from working. If you missed weeks or months of work, or if your cognitive abilities have been diminished to the point where you can’t perform your previous job, those losses factor into your compensation.

The impact on your daily life drives your non-economic damages. Pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of activities you used to love, strained relationships caused by mood changes, and the emotional toll of living with a brain injury all contribute to what your claim is worth.

What Types of Compensation Can I Recover?

Oklahoma law allows concussion victims in car accidents to pursue both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages cover the quantifiable financial losses caused by the accident. These include past and future medical bills, lost wages from missed work, reduced earning capacity if your concussion prevents you from returning to your previous job, costs of ongoing treatment such as cognitive therapy and neuropsychological counseling, and expenses for medications and medical equipment.

Non-economic damages address the human cost of your injury. Physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the frustration of living with cognitive limitations that others can’t see are all compensable under Oklahoma law.

In cases where the at-fault driver was especially reckless, such as drunk driving or texting behind the wheel, you may also have grounds for punitive damages. These are designed to punish extreme negligence and deter similar behavior.

How Does Oklahoma’s Comparative Negligence Law Affect My Concussion Claim?

Under Oklahoma Statute §23-13, Oklahoma uses a modified comparative negligence standard. You can recover compensation as long as your percentage of fault doesn’t exceed the other party’s fault.

Insurance companies frequently try to use comparative negligence to reduce concussion claims. They might argue you weren’t wearing a seatbelt, that you were speeding, or that you failed to brake in time. At 222 Injury Lawyers, we know there’s always more to the story than what the insurance company wants to believe. We gather the evidence and build the case that puts responsibility where it belongs.

Why Do Insurance Companies Lowball Concussion Claims?

Because they can get away with it when people don’t have an attorney.

Concussions don’t show up on standard X-rays. Insurance adjusters know this, and they use it to argue that your injury isn’t as serious as you claim. They’ll point to the absence of visible head trauma. They’ll suggest your symptoms are exaggerated or caused by stress rather than the accident. They’ll pressure you to accept a quick, lowball settlement before you’ve even finished treatment.

Under Oklahoma Statute §36-1250.5, insurance companies are prohibited from failing to attempt fair and prompt settlement of claims where liability is reasonably clear. But in practice, they push the boundaries of this law constantly, especially in concussion cases where the injury is harder to see.

The insurance companies know which lawyers will fight back and which ones won’t. At 222 Injury Lawyers, we’ve spent over 30 years holding insurance companies accountable when they refuse to pay fair compensation. Our founder Tye Smith has even forced major carriers to change their claims-handling procedures through aggressive pursuit of bad faith litigation.

What Steps Should I Take to Protect My Concussion Claim?

If you’ve been in a car accident and suspect a concussion, there are critical steps you should take immediately.

Get medical attention right away. Even if you feel okay at the scene, concussion symptoms often appear hours or days after impact. Tell your doctor about the accident and describe every symptom, no matter how small it seems. A documented medical evaluation starting immediately after the crash is the backbone of your claim.

Follow your treatment plan. Insurance companies will use any gap in treatment against you. If your doctor recommends follow-up visits, neurological testing, or physical therapy, keep every appointment. If symptoms persist, ask for a referral to a specialist.

Keep a symptom journal. Write down your headaches, memory problems, mood changes, sleep issues, and anything else that feels different after the accident. This daily record creates compelling evidence of how the concussion is affecting your real life.

Don’t give recorded statements to the insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to minimize your injury or create inconsistencies in your account.

Don’t accept the first offer. The initial settlement offer from an insurance company is almost always far less than what your claim is worth. Once you accept, you can’t go back for more, even if your symptoms get worse.

How Long Do I Have to File a Concussion Claim in Oklahoma?

Under Oklahoma Statute §12-95, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Oklahoma is two years from the date of the accident.

Missing this deadline means losing your right to sue, no matter how strong your case is. And because concussion cases require thorough medical documentation and often expert testimony, it’s important to start building your case well before the deadline approaches.

Why Choose 222 Injury Lawyers for Your Concussion Case?

Concussion cases require attorneys who understand brain injuries, know how to counter insurance company tactics, and aren’t afraid to take a case to trial when the other side refuses to pay what’s fair.

At 222 Injury Lawyers, we’ve recovered over $80 million for injured Oklahomans. We’ve obtained a $750,000 verdict in a minimal property damage case and a $1,000,000 settlement in another. We secured a $6.5 million recovery for a family who lost a loved one to a careless motorist. These results didn’t happen because we accepted the insurance company’s first offer. They happened because we were prepared to fight.

We know how insurance companies think, and we know what it takes to change their minds, including walking into a courtroom when necessary. As real trial attorneys, we provide the kind of representation that insurance companies take seriously.

Suffering from a concussion after a car accident in Oklahoma? Don’t let the insurance company tell you it’s “no big deal.” Call 222 Injury Lawyers at 918-238-7671 for a free consultation. We don’t get paid until you do.