Chicago Jury Awards $3,933 in Rear-End Collision Injuries
One driver was stopped at a stop sign when the other driver's vehicle tapped the rear of his vehicle. The injured driver claimed injuries to his neck, lower back, and arm. The defense argued the impact was minor and the injuries were not causally related to the accident.
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
- $6,555
- County
- Cook County, IL
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $6,555 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
On August 28, 2011, a seminary student was driving on Blackstone Avenue in Hyde Park, Chicago, when a sport utility vehicle rear-ended the plaintiff's vehicle at the intersection with 55th Street. The plaintiff, who had stopped at a stop sign, subsequently filed a negligence lawsuit against the other driver, alleging injuries to the neck, lower back, and arm.
The plaintiff claimed the accident caused soft tissue sprain/strain in the neck, aggravation of pre-existing lower back spondylosis, and severe ulnar nerve neuropathy in the dominant left arm. While the neck injury resolved, the plaintiff reported persistent lower back pain and left arm issues, undergoing various treatments including physical therapy, epidural injections, and ulnar nerve transposition surgery. The plaintiff's medical experts testified that the ulnar nerve condition worsened due to a lesion and that the lower back spondylosis, though pre-existing, became symptomatic after the accident. The defendant argued the plaintiff stopped suddenly and that the vehicle tap was minor. Defense medical experts testified that the lower back sprain/strain had resolved, and the ulnar nerve injury was unrelated to the accident, citing a delay in arm pain complaints.
After an eight-day trial, the jury deliberated for three hours. The jury found the defendant 60 percent negligent and the plaintiff 40 percent negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $6,555 in compensatory damages, which was reduced to $3,933 due to the comparative negligence finding.
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 Cook 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 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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