Tampa Jury Finds Negligence, No Permanent Injury in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped at a traffic light when their vehicle was hit from behind by a truck. The injured person had neck and shoulder strains. The jury found the truck driver caused the injury but that the injury was not permanent.
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
- $18,400
- County
- Hillsborough County, FL
- Resolved
- 1995
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $18,400 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
In October 1993, a vehicle operated by the plaintiff was rear-ended on Dale Mabry Highway near Neptune Avenue in Tampa, Florida. The plaintiff's vehicle was stopped at a traffic light when it was struck by a truck operated by a defendant and owned by the other defendants. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging injuries sustained as a result of the collision.
During the proceedings, the plaintiff presented testimony from a chiropractor and an orthopedic surgeon to support claims of injury. The defendants, in turn, offered testimony from an orthopedic surgeon who conducted an independent medical examination.
A jury found that the negligence of the truck operator was a legal cause of injury to the plaintiff. However, the jury also determined that the plaintiff did not sustain a permanent injury from the incident. The defendants had previously offered a settlement of $2,500.
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 Hillsborough County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 1995, 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 aligns very well with 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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