Florida Jury Finds No Permanent Injury in Rear-End Collision
Three vehicles were traveling east on Garden Street when the last vehicle struck the middle vehicle, causing it to hit the vehicle in front. A passenger in the middle vehicle sustained injuries. The defendants admitted fault but disputed the severity of the injuries.
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
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $1,191
- County
- Escambia County, FL
- Resolved
- 1997
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $1,191 is below the median of $13,980 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $5,649 to $30,000, based on 1000 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On July 12, 1991, a three-vehicle collision occurred on Garden Street at the intersection of Baylen Street. A truck, owned by a corporate defendant, struck the rear of a Volkswagen. The impact propelled the Volkswagen into the back of an Oldsmobile. The plaintiff, a passenger in the Volkswagen, sustained injuries and subsequently filed a negligence claim against the truck driver and the truck owner, alleging the driver was acting within the scope of employment at the time of the incident.
The defendants admitted negligence for the accident. However, they contested the extent of the plaintiff's injuries, arguing that they did not meet the permanent injury threshold as required by F.S. 627.737. An orthopedic surgery expert from Pensacola provided testimony on behalf of the plaintiff regarding the injuries.
After hearing the arguments, the jury found that the plaintiff did not sustain a permanent injury. A motion for a new trial was pending following the verdict.
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 went to trial and resulted in a jury verdict. Verdicts can yield higher awards but carry the risk of receiving nothing if the jury rules against the plaintiff.
- This case was resolved in Escambia County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 1997, 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.
Want to understand your case value?
Get a free case evaluation to understand what your motor vehicle accident case might be worth based on cases like this in Escambia County.
Similar cases you may find useful
Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.