Lexington Jury Awards $61,842 in UIM Claim, Defense Judgment
A collision occurred at an intersection in Lexington when one driver made a turn and was struck by another vehicle. The injured driver claimed a cervical surgery and future medical care were needed due to the crash. The case involved a dispute over underinsured motorist coverage. The jury awarded damages for medical bills and pain and suffering, but the total amount was below the threshold for the underinsured motorist coverage, resulting in a defense judgment.
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
- Verdict-Defense
- Amount
- $61,842
- County
- Dallas County, KY
- Resolved
- 2022
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This verdict-defense of $61,842 is above the median of Undisclosed for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-defense. The typical range is Undisclosed to Undisclosed, based on 36 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A right-of-way collision occurred in Lexington on September 1, 2016, at the intersection of Twain Ridge Road and Desdemona Drive. The plaintiff, driving through the intersection, had their trailer struck by another vehicle. The at-fault driver's insurer subsequently accepted fault and paid its $50,000 policy limits to the plaintiff for injuries sustained.
The plaintiff then pursued an underinsured motorist (UIM) claim against their own insurer, the defendant, seeking additional compensation. The plaintiff alleged a cervical disc injury requiring surgery and potential future fusion, with claimed damages for medical expenses, impairment, and pain and suffering totaling over $480,000. The defendant insurer denied the claimed disc injury was related to the trauma, presenting testimony from medical experts to dispute causation. The plaintiff's UIM coverage, which had a $100,000 limit, would only activate if a jury verdict surpassed a $66,676 threshold, which included the initial payment from the at-fault driver's insurer and additional benefits.
A two-day trial in Lexington focused solely on damages. After an initial deliberation process where an unsigned verdict was submitted, the jury was sent to deliberate again and returned a 9-3 verdict. The jury awarded the plaintiff $17,842 for past medical bills, $24,000 for future medical bills, and $20,000 for pain and suffering, totaling $61,842. Claims for impairment were rejected.
Despite the monetary award, the verdict fell below the $66,676 threshold required to trigger the UIM policy. As a result, the court entered a defense judgment for the insurer. The plaintiff later withdrew a motion to contact jurors, and the parties subsequently dismissed the case, agreeing not to appeal or seek costs.
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 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, Kentucky. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2022, 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
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