Verdictly
Settlement
Fulton County • 2016

Atlanta Big-Rig Rear-End Collision Settles for $250,000

A man was injured when his car was hit from behind by a freight truck. His vehicle was pushed into the car in front of him. The truck driver was cited for following too closely. The injured man had surgery for a torn rotator cuff. The case was settled before a lawsuit was filed.

Case Information Updated: October 2025

Back to cases
Shoulder Injury
Truck/Commercial
Motor Vehicle Negligence

Case Outcome

Outcome
Settlement
Amount
$250,000
County
Fulton County, GA
Resolved
2016

Injury & Accident Details

Injury Type
Shoulder Injury
Accident Type
Truck/Commercial
Case Type
Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision

Settlement Context

This settlement of $250,000 is above the median of $60,000 for shoulder injury cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $24,061 to $250,000, based on 20 cases in our database.

Case Overview

On July 16, 2015, an individual was involved in an auto-big rig collision on I-285 in Atlanta, Georgia. The plaintiff's vehicle was traveling eastbound when it was rear-ended by a freight truck, operated by an employee of B & B Trucking. The impact propelled the plaintiff's vehicle into the car ahead. The defendant driver received a police citation at the scene for following too closely.

The plaintiff sustained a partial rotator cuff tear in the collision, which required surgical repair. Subsequently, the plaintiff filed a claim against the defendant trucking company's insurer to recover damages for the injuries.

The dispute was resolved through a pre-litigation settlement, with the plaintiff receiving $250,000. The settlement occurred after the claim was filed but before formal litigation began, suggesting the documented injury and the police citation contributed to the resolution.

Understanding This Case

  • 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 Fulton County, Georgia. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
  • Resolved in 2016, 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

70
/100
Reasonably Fair

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.

Curious about 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 Fulton County.

Check Your Case Value

Similar cases you may find useful

Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.

Undisclosed
Verdict-Defense
Shoulder Injury
Other Accident
Motor Vehicle Negligence

A plaintiff alleged bilateral rotator cuff injuries resulted from paramedics' forceful removal of the plaintiff from a motor vehicle accident. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendants, presumably alleging negligence in the plaintiff's care. The court granted the defendants' motion for summary judgment in September 2006, concluding the case in favor of the defense.

Dallas County • 2019
View full case
Undisclosed
Verdict-Defense
Shoulder Injury
Other Accident
Motor Vehicle Negligence

A collision occurred on September 20, 2012, on Kentucky Avenue near Floyd Street in Louisville. The plaintiff, then age 41, was making a right turn when the defendant pulled from a space to the plaintiff's right, resulting in the crash. The plaintiff sustained a rotator cuff injury that required surgical repair. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant negligently pulled from a parking lane into the plaintiff's path. The plaintiff sought $3,917 for past medical expenses, up to $15,000 for future medicals, and $120,000 for pain and suffering. The defendant denied liability, arguing she was in a turn lane, not a parking lane. An independent medical examiner for the defense also linked the plaintiff's shoulder issues to pre-existing degenerative conditions. Following a trial, a jury found in favor of the defendant on the issue of liability. A defense judgment was subsequently entered, and the plaintiff received no damages.

Dallas County • 2015
View full case
$30,000
Settlement
Lumbar Disc Injury
Rear-end
Motor Vehicle Negligence

On May 26, 2004, a plaintiff was a passenger in an automobile that was rear-ended near the intersection of Bedford Avenue and De Kalb Avenue in Brooklyn. The plaintiff's vehicle was preparing to make a U-turn when the collision occurred. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the driver of the striking vehicle was negligent and the vehicle owner was vicariously liable. The defendants conceded liability, and the case proceeded to trial solely on the issue of damages. The plaintiff claimed to have sustained a herniated disc at C5-6, seeking medical treatment 21 days after the incident. Treatment included chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, and hot and cold packs over several months. The plaintiff reported missing two days of work and alleged permanent neck pain, decreased range of motion, and episodes of immobility, asserting an inability to engage in activities such as dancing, playing basketball, or wearing high heels. A family medicine physician testified on the plaintiff's behalf. The defendants argued that any injuries sustained by the plaintiff resolved within 90 days of the accident, with the decreased range of motion improving within three months. A radiologist testified for the defense, stating that the plaintiff's MRIs were normal and indicated no injury. Prior to the verdict, the parties agreed to cap any damages award at $25,000, which represented the policy limits. The plaintiff had also settled a claim with the driver of the vehicle in which she was a passenger for $3,500. Following the trial, a jury awarded the plaintiff $30,000, including $10,000 for past pain and suffering and $20,000 for future pain and suffering. The final recovery was then reduced to the agreed-upon $25,000 cap.

Kings County • 2010
View full case
Undisclosed
Settlement
Other Injury
Other Accident
Motor Vehicle Negligence

A motor vehicle collision occurred in Mesa County, Colorado, involving a vehicle operated by the defendant and another car carrying the plaintiff as a passenger. The plaintiff alleged the incident caused permanent personal injuries, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and resulted in medical expenses and economic losses. The plaintiff filed a vehicular liability action in the Colorado District Court, Twenty-First Judicial District, County of Mesa, claiming the defendant's negligence. Allegations included failing to operate the vehicle prudently, maintain a proper lookout, obey traffic control devices, driving at an excessive speed, and failing to stop at a red light. The plaintiff sought damages for the alleged harm. In response, the defendant denied the allegations of negligence. The defendant also asserted affirmative defenses, including claims of failure to state a claim, culpable conduct, and failure to mitigate damages. The parties subsequently filed a notice with the court indicating that they had reached a settlement in the action.

Mesa County • 2017
View full case
Undisclosed
Settlement
Other Injury
Other Accident
Breach of contract

A plaintiff with a classic automobile insurance policy filed a claim after three vehicles went missing or were stolen from a storage location in Denver, Colorado. The policy required storage in a specific secure building, but the plaintiff had moved the vehicles during renovations. Two vehicles were later recovered severely damaged, while a third remained unlocated. The insurer made a partial payment for one vehicle but denied full coverage, attributing some damage to wear and tear and denying the unrecovered vehicle's claim. The plaintiff sued the insurer in federal court, alleging breach of contract, unreasonable delay and denial of payment under Colorado statutes, and common-law bad faith. The insurer counterclaimed, seeking a declaratory judgment, alleging breach of the policy's misrepresentation and concealment provisions, and requesting recoupment of payments. These counterclaims were permitted to proceed following a magistrate judge's recommendation, which a district judge adopted. The plaintiff later amended the complaint to add the insurance producer as a defendant, alleging negligence if insurer coverage was denied. In July 2023, the plaintiff and the insurer filed a stipulation of dismissal with prejudice for all claims between them, indicating a settlement had been reached. The specific terms of this settlement were not publicly disclosed. Each party agreed to bear its own costs and attorney fees.

Dallas County • 2023
View full case