Texas Jury Awards $25,000 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped in traffic when another driver rear-ended a car behind them, causing a chain reaction. A passenger in the first car hit their head and sustained neck and back injuries. The injured person received medical treatment, including pain medication, a cervical collar, and chiropractic care. They were out of work for four months and now work in a lighter capacity.
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
- $25,000
- County
- Suffolk County, NY
- Resolved
- 2003
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- MOTOR VEHICLE NEGLIGENCE, Multi-Vehicle Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $25,000 is near 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 negligence lawsuit was filed following a chain-reaction rear-end collision. The plaintiff, a rear-seat passenger in a coworker's stopped vehicle, claimed the defendant negligently struck a car four vehicles behind them, initiating the series of impacts. The plaintiff contended he hit his head on the front seat, sustaining neck and back injuries.
Following the incident, the plaintiff reported pain in his head, neck, back, and right shoulder. X-rays were negative, but he received pain medication, wore a cervical collar for two months, and a right arm sling for one month. He also underwent chiropractic treatment three times per week for three months, neurological treatment once a week for three months, and visited an orthopedist once. A cervical MRI later showed narrowing of the C3-4 neural foramina and hypertrophic changes, though a back MRI and an EEG were negative. The plaintiff was out of work for four months and later returned as a "light" factory worker. The defendant conceded liability for the collision.
A jury subsequently awarded the plaintiff $25,000 for past pain and suffering. Post-trial motions filed by both parties were denied.
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 Suffolk County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2003, 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 aligns very well with 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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