Louisville Jury Awards $620,879 in SUV Pedestrian Accident
An 87-year-old woman was shopping for a car when a salesperson let a vehicle roll forward and strike her. She fell and fractured her pelvis. The woman was hospitalized and underwent rehabilitation. Her injuries affected her independence. The case was tried on damages only.
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
- $620,879
- County
- Dallas County, KY
- Resolved
- 2022
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Pedestrian
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $620,879 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
In December 2018, an 87-year-old plaintiff was struck by an SUV at a car dealership in Louisville, Kentucky, during a test drive. A salesman, preparing the vehicle for a test drive, stopped the SUV and pressed the "park" button. However, the vehicle did not fully engage park. When the salesman exited the vehicle and removed his foot from the brake, the SUV lurched forward, striking the plaintiff as she walked in front of it. The plaintiff sustained a non-displaced pelvic fracture, requiring a week of hospitalization and two weeks of rehabilitation.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging negligence by the salesman and the dealership regarding the conduct of the test drive. She sought $120,879 for medical expenses and an additional $1,000,000 for pain and suffering. A plaintiff's medical expert testified about her injuries and medical course, noting the primary long-term effect was a significant impact on her independence.
The defendant dealership admitted fault, leading to a trial focused solely on damages. The jury considered the plaintiff's medical bills and the impact of her injuries on her daily life.
In 2022, a jury awarded the plaintiff $120,879 for medical bills and $500,000 for pain and suffering, resulting in a total verdict of $620,879.
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 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
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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