Paducah Jury Finds Comparative Fault in Bicycle Crash, Awards $4,250
A cyclist was riding her bicycle at 22 mph when a driver ran a stop sign and collided with her. The cyclist was treated for soft-tissue injuries and completed a triathlon nine days later. She continued to experience back pain and sued the driver for medical expenses and pain and suffering. The jury found fault with both parties, assigning 85% to the driver and 15% to the cyclist. The cyclist was awarded damages after accounting for comparative fault.
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
- Mixed
- Amount
- $4,250
- County
- Dallas County, KY
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Bicycle
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This mixed of $4,250 is below the median of $15,537 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by mixed. The typical range is $12,378 to $30,000, based on 12 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In August 2008, a cyclist sustained soft-tissue injuries in Paducah, Kentucky, when a vehicle operated by the defendant reportedly ran a stop sign and entered her path. The plaintiff, training for an athletic competition, subsequently filed a negligence lawsuit, alleging cervical strain and ongoing low back pain, and seeking medical and pain and suffering damages.
The defendant disputed liability, asserting the plaintiff was distracted by her bicycle's speedometer and partially at fault. The defense also argued the injuries were not severe, citing the plaintiff's completion of a rigorous triathlon nine days post-crash and continued athletic pursuits. The plaintiff countered that she was attentive, the collision unavoidable, and her speed was recorded by a GPS system.
A Paducah jury found both parties at fault, assigning 85% to the defendant and 15% to the plaintiff. The jury awarded the plaintiff medical expenses and a limited sum for pain and suffering, totaling a raw verdict of $12,208. After adjustments for comparative fault and personal injury protection, a final judgment of $4,250 was entered. The plaintiff's post-trial challenges to the verdict were denied, and the judgment was satisfied.
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 was resolved in Dallas County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2015, 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 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.
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