Jury Awards $400,000 in Underinsured Motorist Benefits Dispute
A woman was sitting at an outdoor restaurant table when a vehicle suddenly accelerated from the parking lot and crashed into the dining area. Her table was crushed, pinning her under the vehicle. She sustained injuries requiring chiropractic and physical therapy, as well as psychological therapy.
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
- $400,000
- County
- Baltimore County, MD
- Resolved
- 2023
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $400,000 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
A 55-year-old plaintiff was dining with her husband outside a restaurant when a vehicle suddenly accelerated from a parking lot into the dining area. The vehicle pinned the plaintiff under a table, causing bruising and soft-tissue injuries that required chiropractic care and physical therapy. She also developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), necessitating therapy. The driver and vehicle owner involved in the incident tendered their $50,000 policy limits before trial.
The plaintiff subsequently sued United Services Automobile Association (USAA), alleging breach of contract for failure to provide underinsured motorist (UIM) benefits. The plaintiff asserted that the at-fault driver was underinsured and that the defendant had failed to honor the policy. At trial, the plaintiff did not seek past medical expenses. After hearing testimony, including from experts in chiropractic care and social work, a jury awarded the plaintiff $400,000 in noneconomic damages.
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 Baltimore County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2023, 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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