Miami-Dade County Jury Awards $8,000 in Rear-End Collision
One driver rear-ended another vehicle while a passenger in a taxi. The passenger claimed injuries from the collision, including a spinal fracture. The defense argued the injuries were not caused by this crash, citing prior and subsequent accidents. The court found the taxi driver liable, and the jury awarded damages for pain, suffering, and medical expenses.
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
- $8,000
- County
- Miami-Dade County, FL
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $8,000 is near 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 November 7, 2009, a taxi cab, operated by a defendant cab company and driven by a defendant driver, rear-ended another vehicle on State Road 948 at the intersection of North West 66 Avenue in Miami-Dade County. The plaintiff, a belted passenger in the taxi, claimed the collision caused a compression fracture at the T-12 level of his spine. The plaintiff's doctor attributed the injury to the collision, and an MRI in February 2010 reportedly confirmed the fracture. The plaintiff underwent 46 physical therapy sessions and incurred $15,036 in past medical expenses.
The defendants disputed that the plaintiff's injuries resulted from the collision, arguing they were not causally related. Evidence presented indicated the plaintiff had been involved in a prior motor vehicle accident in 2008 and a subsequent rear-end collision after May 2013. The court directed a verdict for the plaintiff on liability, establishing the defendants' responsibility for the collision.
Following the directed verdict on liability, a jury awarded the plaintiff $8,000 in total damages. This amount covered past and future pain and suffering and past and future medical expenses. The plaintiff's motion for a new trial or an increase in damages remained pending after 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 Miami-Dade County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2018, 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 is within expected ranges
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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