Texas Jury Awards $100,000 After Rear-End Collision
A driver stopped in traffic when a pickup truck rear-ended the car behind her, pushing it into her vehicle. She suffered neck and shoulder injuries causing chronic pain. Her medical expenses were $32,000. She sued her uninsured motorist carrier for policy benefits and breach of contract. The jury awarded $200,000.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Neck Injury (Whiplash) Injuries
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by rapid back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly occurring in rear-end collisions. Despite being frequently dismissed, whiplash can cause significant pain and disability.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $200,000
- County
- Prince George's County, MD
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $200,000 is above the median of $11,079 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $4,175 to $31,428, based on 656 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A plaintiff stopped in traffic on an interstate highway when a pickup truck rear-ended the vehicle behind her, causing that car to collide with the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff sustained neck and shoulder injuries, which she reported resulted in chronic pain and necessitated epidural pain injections. Her medical expenses related to these injuries totaled $32,000.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against her uninsured motorist carrier, seeking $100,000 in benefits under her policy and alleging breach of contract. The defense did not dispute that the pickup truck driver caused the collision. However, the insurer contested the plaintiff's damages, arguing that her injuries were preexisting and had since resolved. Both a plaintiff's expert and a defense expert, both orthopedic surgeons, provided testimony during the trial.
A jury subsequently awarded $200,000 to the plaintiff. The final judgment was then reduced to $100,000, reflecting the maximum coverage available under the plaintiff's uninsured motorist policy.
Understanding This Case
- Most whiplash injuries improve within 2-3 months. However, about 25% of patients experience chronic symptoms lasting over a year, significantly impacting quality of life.
- 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 Prince George's County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2018, 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 differs from typical similar cases
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