$66,600 Motor Vehicle Accident Case
One driver was rear-ended by another vehicle. The driver who was rear-ended claimed whiplash and vehicle damage. The case went to trial after settlement offers were rejected. The jury awarded damages for medical expenses and pain and suffering.
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
- Settlement
- Amount
- $66,600
- County
- Travis County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This settlement of $66,600 is above the median of $13,969 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $2,500 to $66,600, based on 38 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A vehicle occupied by the plaintiffs was rear-ended by a vehicle operated by the defendant. One plaintiff asserted whiplash injuries and vehicle damage as a result of the accident. The plaintiffs filed a complaint on June 17, 2016, in the Texas 419th District Court for Travis County, alleging vehicular liability. They sought $30,000 in damages, representing the defendant's policy limits.
Before trial, the plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment regarding the defendant's liability was denied. The defendant offered a settlement of $7,300, which the plaintiffs rejected. During the subsequent trial, the plaintiffs presented a pain management expert. The defendant presented a pain specialist, who opined that one plaintiff sustained only a minimal injury, along with a medical billing expert. One of the plaintiffs did not testify at trial.
The court entered judgment in favor of the plaintiffs on December 13, 2017. One plaintiff was awarded $45,000 for past medical expenses, $10,000 for future medical expenses, and $4,500 for past pain and suffering. The other plaintiff received $7,100 for past medical expenses. The total award amounted to $66,600.
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 was resolved through a settlement, avoiding the uncertainty and expense of a trial. Settlements typically resolve faster and provide guaranteed compensation.
- This case was resolved in Travis County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2017, 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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