# Average Whiplash Injury Settlement After a Car Accident | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Whiplash and Houston Car Accidents 2. Deciding Whether To Settle Your Whiplash Case 3. Determining the Average Settlement For Whiplash 4. How Much Should You Settle Your Houston Whiplash Case For? 5. Contact a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer to Help You With Your Claim ![Average Whiplash Injury Settlement After a Car Accident in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Average-Whiplash-Injury-Settlement-After-a-Car-Accident-in-Houston-300x200.jpg) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies [car accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/) as one of the [leading causes of traumatic brain injuries](https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/data-research/facts-stats/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html) in the [United States](https://www.usa.gov/). Brain injuries can range from mild to severe, leaving you and other victims suffering a wide range of both temporary and potentially permanent symptoms. [Whiplash](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/whiplash-injury/) is one way you can sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a car accident. If you suffer a whiplash injury in a collision caused by someone else’s [negligence](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-is-negligence/), you may be eligible to pursue a personal injury claim. This could result in either a verdict or a settlement directing the at-fault party to pay compensation to you for your [economic](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-are-economic-damages/) and [non-economic](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-are-non-economic-damages-in-texas/) losses. Here is what you need to know about whiplash injuries sustained in Houston car accidents and what you can expect the average settlement to be. ## Whiplash and Houston Car Accidents The term “whiplash” is used to describe the injuries associated with the movement of your head and neck in a car accident. Whether you are struck [head-on](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/head-on-collision/), [from the rear](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/rear-end-collision/), or from the side, your head and neck can be forced to move quickly and abruptly in one direction and the other. This is whiplash, in that your head and neck mimic the motion of a whip being cracked. This movement can cause strains and sprains to your neck muscles. However, more concerningly, the whip-like movement of your head can jostle your brain and cause it to strike the inside of your skull. This can cause trauma to the brain that can lead to symptoms like headaches, memory issues, and physical limitations. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## Deciding Whether To Settle Your Whiplash Case If you file a claim for damages following a car wreck in which you sustain whiplash injuries, you decide whether to accept any settlement agreement that is presented to you. While settlements often do not give you the same amount of compensation you might receive by taking your case to trial, a settlement is often beneficial in that it guarantees you some compensation. In deciding [whether to accept a settlement offer](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/should-i-accept-a-settlement-offer-from-the-insurance-company/), you will want to consider how well it covers your losses. While every settlement is different, the amount of a settlement offer for whiplash injuries should cover the following expenses: ### Medical Care and Related Expenses Your medical costs for a [whiplash-related TBI](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/brain-injury-lawyer/car/) will depend on the severity of the damage to your brain. One recent study found that the [average hospital stay](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2766400#:~:text=The%20average%20inpatient%20stay%20for,1.9%25%20for%20patients%20without%20one.) for someone diagnosed with any type of TBI was approximately six days and cost about $21,000.  The more severe your traumatic [brain injury](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/brain-injury-lawyer/), the longer your hospital stay will be — and, by extension, the greater the cost you will incur. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention further estimated the [average yearly cost of treatment](https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/105004/cdc_105004_DS1.pdf) for TBIs was approximately $14,000.  ### Lost Wages In 2022, the per capita personal income in Texas was [approximately $62,000](https://www.statista.com/statistics/205496/per-capita-personal-income-in-texas/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20the%20per%20capita,resident%20population%20of%20the%20area.). This means that, on average, for every day that the average Texan misses work, they lose $170 in wages.  If your TBI requires six days of hospitalization, you will have lost about $1,000 in wages. But you can incur additional losses if you cannot return to full-time work or perform the sort of work you used to do before your accident. ### Pain and Suffering It is difficult to assign a monetary value to someone’s [pain and suffering](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/how-are-pain-and-suffering-damages-calculated/) because that type of non-economic loss is personal. One person’s experience of the mental and emotional tolls of a whiplash injury will be different from another’s experience. As a general rule, [pain and suffering compensation can be calculated](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/how-are-pain-and-suffering-payments-calculated/) as a multiple of your other losses.  For example, suppose that you incur medical costs of $20,000 and lost wages of $1,000 for a mild whiplash TBI. Pain and suffering damages you would seek through your claim might total $42,000 ($21,000 x 2). Like other types of losses, the more severe your traumatic brain injury and the more permanent your injuries, the greater your pain and suffering. ## Determining the Average Settlement For Whiplash Taken together, the average cost for a mild whiplash TBI could be as low as $21,000 if you suffer no [emotional distress](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/suing-for-emotional-distress-after-an-accident/) – and up to $50,000 to $60,000 when pain and suffering are considered. But this is just one example of a whiplash-related injury case. Generally, the average settlement for whiplash injuries involving minor neck and back injuries related to Houston car accidents ranges from $10,000 to $100,000. For whiplash injuries involving life-changing or [permanent disabilities](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/), those numbers can reach up to $5 million.  This is because severe whiplash injuries can completely incapacitate the victim and require around-the-clock medical care and assistance.  These claims may seek millions of dollars in damages as victims and their families attempt to recover compensation for: - Extensive and frequent hospital stays and procedures - Lifetime therapeutic assistance and services - Lost past and future wages of both victims and caregivers - Necessary assistive devices like wheelchairs, home modifications, and special vehicles - The mental pain and anguish the victim experiences because of their injuries Other forms of compensation in a whiplash lawsuit, such as [punitive damages](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-are-punitive-damages-in-texas/), are often not considered in settlement agreements, as most settlements do not involve an admission of wrongdoing by the at-fault party. A denial of wrongful conduct obviates any need to punish wrong behavior through [punitive damages](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-are-punitive-damages/). [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## How Much Should You Settle Your Houston Whiplash Case For? Knowing the average settlement numbers can help you better understand what is a fair and reasonable amount of compensation for whiplash and related injuries. Settlement offers that are far below these averages should be carefully considered before accepting, as they may leave you without the funds you need to address your bills and financial losses. A qualified Houston personal injury lawyer can help you accurately determine whether a settlement offer presented to you adequately compensates you for your past and future losses. Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Now ## Contact a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer to Help You With Your Claim Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. [Avvo](https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/77098-tx-brian-white-74113.html) / [Justia](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/brian-elliott-white-201630) / [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorney-brian-white-378410166) Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Car Accidents Blog Posts: [![Back Pain After a Car Accident — What’s Causing It?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Back-Pain-After-a-Car-Accident-—-Whats-Causing-It-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/back-pain-after-a-car-accident-whats-causing-it/) [Back Pain After a Car Accident — What’s Causing It?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/back-pain-after-a-car-accident-whats-causing-it/) A car accident can traumatize your body. It may cause pain in your chest from the seat belt or pain in your arms from [![DUI vs. DWI vs. DWAI: What’s the Difference?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DUI-DWI-vs-DWAI-Whats-the-Difference-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/dui-vs-dwi-vs-dwai-whats-the-difference/) [DUI vs. DWI vs. DWAI: What's the Difference?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/dui-vs-dwi-vs-dwai-whats-the-difference/) Texas takes drunk driving very seriously, and drunk driving charges can have some sobering consequences. Many people [![Car Accidents Caused By Brake Checking in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Car-Accidents-Caused-By-Brake-Checking-in-Houston-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/car-accidents-caused-by-brake-checking-in-houston/) [Car Accidents Caused By Brake Checking in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/car-accidents-caused-by-brake-checking-in-houston/) Brake checking while traffic is congested can affect even the best of drivers. Even when there is no traffic, a [![Neurological Issues From a Car Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Neurological-Issues-From-a-Car-Accident-1-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/neurological-issues-from-a-car-accident/) [Neurological Issues From a Car Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/neurological-issues-from-a-car-accident/) Many injuries are immediately apparent after a car accident. Victims are immediately aware of broken bones, burns, --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/average-whiplash-injury-settlement-after-a-car-accident/