Verdictly
Verdict-Defense
Jefferson County • 2022

Louisville Jury Awards $3,725 for Medical Care in Rear-End Crash

One driver was stopped in traffic when the other driver rear-ended their vehicle. The driver who was hit did not report injuries at the scene. Several days later, they began experiencing neck and back pain, and later reported knee pain. An MRI revealed a meniscal tear, and surgery was performed. The injured driver sought damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, arguing the knee injury was caused by the crash. The other driver argued the knee injury was unrelated to the collision.

Case Information Updated: October 2025

Back to cases
Knee Injury
Rear-end
Motor Vehicle Negligence

Case Outcome

Outcome
Verdict-Defense
Amount
$3,725
County
Jefferson County, KY
Resolved
2022

Injury & Accident Details

Injury Type
Knee Injury
Accident Type
Rear-end
Case Type
Motor Vehicle Negligence

Settlement Context

This verdict-defense of $3,725 is above the median of Undisclosed for knee injury cases resolved by verdict-defense. The typical range is Undisclosed to $3,725, based on 6 cases in our database.

Case Overview

A motor vehicle accident occurred on February 25, 2017, on Interstate 264 near Shelbyville Road, when the plaintiff's vehicle was rear-ended by the defendant's vehicle in stop-and-go traffic. The defendant admitted fault for the moderate impact, which resulted in a dented bumper, but no injuries were reported at the scene. Six days later, the plaintiff began treatment for soft-tissue neck and back pain. Approximately one month after the collision, the plaintiff reported knee pain, which an MRI later revealed as a meniscal tear. An orthopedic specialist in Louisville performed surgery for the tear.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit seeking damages, alleging that both the soft-tissue symptoms and the meniscal tear were a direct result of the rear-end collision. The plaintiff sought medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, supported by testimony from a biomechanical engineer expert who connected the crash to the injuries.

The defendant argued that the knee injury was unrelated to the accident, citing the absence of injury reports at the scene and the 30-day delay in reporting knee pain. The defense presented testimony from a physiatrist who concluded that the crash forces and the plaintiff's position were insufficient to cause the meniscal tear, also noting the plaintiff's history of mild knee arthritis.

A jury awarded the plaintiff $3,725 for medical expenses, specifically covering only the first two weeks of chiropractic care. The jury rejected the plaintiff's claims for lost wages and pain and suffering. A defense judgment was subsequently entered, reflecting a reduction for Personal Injury Protection (PIP). The outcome indicated the jury likely found only the initial soft-tissue claims credible, disassociating the later-reported knee injury from the accident based on the defense's arguments.

Understanding This Case

  • 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 Jefferson 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

61
/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 Jefferson 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
Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Rear-end

A lawsuit stemmed from a rear-end vehicle collision in Lexington, Kentucky, alleging negligent operation of a vehicle. Few additional details regarding the incident or the specific allegations made by the plaintiff were available from the record. The defendant in the case retained an orthopedic surgery expert. The resolution of the litigation was not specified.

Jefferson County • 2021
View full case
Undisclosed
Verdict-Defense
Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Rear-end

A plaintiff filed a personal injury lawsuit after a rear-end collision. The plaintiff sought damages, making a demand of $40,305. The defendant challenged the plaintiff's claims, presenting expert testimony from a neurological surgeon. Further details regarding the case's resolution were not available.

Jefferson County • 2019
View full case
Undisclosed
Settlement
Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Rear-end

A plaintiff alleged she was injured when her vehicle was rear-ended in traffic, subsequently pushing it into a third car. After settling with the at-fault driver for $25,000, which represented the policy limit, she sought underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage from her insurer, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, claiming her damages exceeded that amount. State Farm denied the UIM benefits. The plaintiff, joined by her husband for a loss of consortium claim, filed suit in the Colorado First Judicial District for the County of Jefferson. The complaint alleged breach of contract, bad faith breach of insurance contract, and violations of Colorado statutes. State Farm asserted affirmative defenses, including failure to mitigate damages. Following a jury trial, the jury rendered a verdict for State Farm. It found the plaintiff failed to cooperate with State Farm's investigation, that these actions were material, substantial, and disadvantaged the insurer, and that she intentionally misrepresented material facts. The court entered judgment for State Farm. The parties later stipulated to dismiss the case with prejudice, with State Farm waiving costs in exchange for the plaintiff's waiver of appellate rights. The court granted the dismissal.

Jefferson County • 2015
View full case
Undisclosed
Verdict-Defense
Other Injury
Rear-end

A civil lawsuit stemmed from a rear-end collision in Denver, Colorado. The defendant presented expert testimony from an individual specializing in orthopedic surgery. Specific details regarding the incident, the plaintiff's claims, or the ultimate resolution of the case were not available in the record.

Denver County • 2022
View full case
Undisclosed
Verdict-Defense
Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Rear-end
Motor Vehicle Negligence

On July 7, 2020, a vehicle driven by the plaintiff was rear-ended by the defendant's vehicle on Cane Run Road. The minor collision resulted in no immediate injuries, but the plaintiff later sought chiropractic treatment for claimed soft-tissue symptoms, incurring over $10,000 in medical bills and seeking pain and suffering. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendant for damages. The defendant disputed negligence, asserting the plaintiff stopped suddenly and that claimed injuries were not compensable due to the minor impact. The defense also presented testimony that the plaintiff, post-collision, asked them to falsely identify the driver and later suggested they visit the plaintiff's chiropractor to "make some money," a proposition they claimed to have explored but rejected. The plaintiff denied these allegations, and the court limited cross-examination of the defendant's passenger on his criminal history. After a three-day trial, the jury was instructed to first determine if the plaintiff met specific injury and medical expense thresholds, and then to consider liability. The jury first found (10-2) the plaintiff had not sustained a permanent injury or incurred $1,000 of necessary medical expenses. They then unanimously concluded the defendant was not negligent, halting deliberations before assessing damages. The court entered judgment for the defendant. The plaintiff subsequently filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, arguing for a directed verdict on liability and medical bills, and citing improper tainting of proof and an error in seating a juror excused for cause. The defendant countered the juror objection was flawed and that the verdict aligned with evidence. The motion remained pending.

Dallas County • 2024
View full case