Broward County Jury Awards $10,096,567 in Rear-End Collision
A woman was injured when her vehicle was involved in a multi-vehicle collision on a Florida highway. The collision occurred when one driver rear-ended another vehicle, leading to a chain reaction involving six vehicles. The injured driver sustained a spinal cord injury resulting in partial paralysis. The case went to trial, and the jury found in favor of the plaintiff.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Spinal Cord Injury Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are among the most catastrophic outcomes of car accidents, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries require extensive medical care and significantly impact quality of life.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $10,000,000
- County
- Broward County, FL
- Resolved
- 2014
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Accident Type
- Multi-vehicle
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Multiple Vehicle Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $10,000,000 is near the median of $18,745,001 for spinal cord injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $4,500,000 to $42,900,000, based on 37 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A multi-vehicle collision occurred on W. Broward Boulevard near NW 69th and NW 70th Avenue in Broward County, Florida, on July 9, 2012. The defendant, who was speeding westbound, rear-ended a vehicle, triggering a chain reaction involving six vehicles, including a pickup truck driven by the plaintiff, a 68-year-old. Immediately after an initial impact, the plaintiff experienced a 'pins and needles' sensation in the arms and legs, reportedly losing control of the vehicle, which resulted in a subsequent collision. The plaintiff was transported to a hospital where a spinal cord injury, leading to partial paralysis in all four extremities, was diagnosed.
The plaintiff filed a motor vehicle negligence lawsuit in the 17th Judicial Court of Broward County, Florida, seeking compensatory and non-compensatory damages for medical expenses and lost wages. The defendant argued that the plaintiff's injury did not result from the initial impact. Instead, the defense asserted that the plaintiff's injury occurred after the plaintiff voluntarily left the scene of the initial low-impact collision and negligently drove into a stopped van a half-mile down the road.
After a two-week trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The jury awarded the plaintiff $10,096,567 in damages.
Understanding This Case
- Spinal cord injuries are typically permanent, though some incomplete injuries may see partial recovery. Life expectancy may be reduced, and quality of life is significantly impacted.
- 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 Broward County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2014, 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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