Pinellas County Jury Awards $14,000 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was making a right turn on a red light when their vehicle was hit from behind by another vehicle. The driver who was hit was diagnosed with a disc herniation and bulge in their neck, which was related to the collision. The other driver argued that the first driver stopped suddenly and disputed the extent of the injuries.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Cervical Disc Injury Injuries
Cervical disc injuries involve damage to the intervertebral discs in the neck region (C1-C7). These injuries can include herniated discs, bulging discs, and disc degeneration accelerated by trauma.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $14,000
- County
- Pinellas County, FL
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This settlement of $14,000 is below the median of $75,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $20,261 to $300,000, based on 119 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A lawsuit stemmed from a rear-end collision that occurred on July 21, 2008, at the intersection of State Roads 590 and 580 in Pinellas County, Florida. The plaintiff alleged she was attempting a right turn on a red light when her vehicle was impacted from behind after she stopped to check for traffic.
The plaintiff claimed the collision caused a disc herniation and disc bulge in her cervical spine, testifying she had no significant prior neck complaints or treatment. The defendant countered that the plaintiff made a sudden, inexplicable stop, contributing to the collision, and disputed the severity of the injuries, arguing they were, at most, temporary sprains and strains.
A jury found the defendant 90% negligent and the plaintiff 10% comparatively negligent. The jury determined the plaintiff sustained a permanent injury and awarded $14,000 in gross damages, which were reduced based on comparative fault. However, the jury declined to award damages for future medical expenses or future pain and suffering. Post-verdict motions filed by the plaintiff for a new trial or increased damages were denied.
Understanding This Case
- Many cervical disc injuries improve with conservative treatment. However, about 30% of cases may require surgical intervention, with varying degrees of permanent impairment.
- 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 Pinellas 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 differs from typical 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 check 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 Pinellas 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.