Court Awards $100,000 Default Judgment in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped at an intersection when their vehicle was hit from behind by a taxicab. The impact pushed the plaintiff's car into a tree. The driver sustained a shoulder injury and underwent physical therapy. Surgery was considered too risky due to other medical conditions. The driver now has permanent limitation of movement in their shoulder.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $100,000
- County
- Suffolk County, NY
- Resolved
- 2009
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Shoulder Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Vehicle negligence, Medical negligence, Business negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $100,000 is near the median of $66,000 for shoulder injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $25,000 to $166,763, based on 64 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A vehicle driven by the plaintiff was rear-ended by a taxicab at an intersection, causing the plaintiff's car to be propelled into nearby woods where it struck a tree. The plaintiff sustained a rotator cuff injury to the shoulder. While surgery was suggested, it was deemed too risky due to other medical conditions. The plaintiff underwent over 18 months of physical therapy and orthopedic care, ultimately experiencing permanent limitation of movement in the affected shoulder.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the taxicab driver and the taxicab leasing company, seeking damages for the injuries sustained. Neither defendant appeared for the trial. As a result, the court entered a default judgment in favor of the plaintiff. The judgment awarded $50,000 for past pain and suffering and $50,000 for future pain and suffering, totaling $100,000. The outcome was a result of the defendants' failure to appear in court.
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 Suffolk County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2009, 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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