Duval County Jury Finds Comparative Negligence in Motor Vehicle Crash
One driver was operating a vehicle when it was struck on the side by another vehicle attempting to change lanes. The first vehicle then left the road and hit a light pole. The injured driver alleged the other driver caused the collision and sustained permanent injuries. The other driver's negligence was admitted, but fault was also assigned to the injured driver.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Back Strain / Soft Tissue Injuries
Back strain and soft tissue injuries are among the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. These injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back, often resulting from the sudden impact forces experienced during a collision.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $2,363,340
- County
- Duval County, FL
- Resolved
- 2013
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Multi-vehicle
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This settlement of $2,363,340 is above the median of $20,000 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $7,500 to $75,000, based on 235 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On October 1, 2007, a plaintiff was operating a 2006 Cadillac SRX on State Road 9A in Duval County, FL, when another vehicle, attempting to change lanes, struck her vehicle's left side. The plaintiff's vehicle left the road and collided with a light pole. The plaintiff subsequently filed a complaint on December 28, 2010, alleging the other driver's negligence caused the collision and her permanent injuries. The plaintiff also sought underinsured motorist coverage from her insurer, arguing the at-fault driver was underinsured.
The defendant insurer admitted the other driver's negligence but contended the plaintiff was also negligent, contributing to the accident and her damages. The defendant further disputed the extent of the plaintiff's claimed injuries and damages. Both sides presented expert testimony from fields including accident reconstruction, biomechanics, orthopedics, economics, and vocational rehabilitation.
Following a three-hour deliberation, the jury rendered a verdict. The jury found the plaintiff to be 70% negligent in the incident, which resulted in a 70% reduction of the awarded damages.
Understanding This Case
- The majority of soft tissue injuries resolve within 6-12 weeks with proper treatment. However, approximately 10-20% of cases may develop into chronic conditions requiring ongoing care.
- This case was resolved through a settlement, avoiding the uncertainty and expense of a trial. Settlements typically resolve faster and provide guaranteed compensation.
- This case was resolved in Duval County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2013, this case reflects the legal and economic conditions of that period, including medical costs, insurance practices, and jury award trends at the time.
VerdictlyTM Score
This outcome significantly deviates from similar cases
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
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