Benton Jury Awards $1,005,920 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped at a red light when another driver rear-ended them. The crash caused minor damage to the first vehicle. The injured driver sought damages for pain and suffering, medical bills, and future care, linking their condition to the collision. The defense questioned the connection between the crash and the claimed injuries. The case proceeded to trial on the issue of damages.
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
- $1,005,920
- County
- Dallas County, KY
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $1,005,920 is above 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 January 19, 2011, an HVAC contractor was rear-ended while stopped at a red light in Calvert City, Kentucky. The collision caused minor vehicle damage, but the plaintiff subsequently developed debilitating fibromyalgia and aggravated degenerative conditions. A medical expert linked these conditions to the crash, and the plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the at-fault driver and his underinsured motorist (UIM) carrier, Acuity Insurance, seeking damages.
The at-fault driver settled for her $100,000 policy limits, leading the case to trial in Benton against Acuity Insurance, focusing solely on damages. Acuity contested the link between the minor collision and the plaintiff's fibromyalgia, presenting an independent medical examination expert who suggested other life stressors were more likely causes. Plaintiff's counsel challenged the expert's credibility by highlighting past legal issues and significant income from professional witness work.
The jury ultimately awarded the plaintiff $1,005,920. The awarded damages included medical expenses, impairment, past suffering, and substantial future suffering. The final judgment entered for the plaintiff was $895,920, which reflected credits from the $100,000 underlying insurance settlement and $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) benefits.
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 Dallas County, Texas. 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
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.
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