Clearwater Rear-End Collision Settles for Undisclosed Amount
One driver was stopped to make a turn when the vehicle behind them failed to stop and collided with the rear of their car. The injured driver alleged permanent injuries to their neck, back, and shoulder. The other driver argued the collision was low-speed and not the cause of the injuries, pointing to prior medical issues. A jury found the collision caused the injuries and awarded damages.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $700,876
- County
- Pinellas County, FL
- Resolved
- 2022
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Shoulder Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $700,876 is above 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 motor vehicle collision in Clearwater, Florida, resulted in a lawsuit alleging permanent injuries for the plaintiff. The incident occurred on November 8, 2018, when the plaintiff, a 63-year-old driver, stopped her 2018 Hyundai Sonata on Curlew Road near U.S. 19 to make a right turn. The defendant, operating a 2002 Jeep Wrangler, failed to stop and collided with the rear of the plaintiff's vehicle.
The plaintiff alleged the impact caused permanent injuries to her cervical and lumbar spine, right shoulder, right hip, and upper back, along with headaches. Medical testing revealed specific shoulder injuries, including a marrow contusion, various tears (supraspinatus, subscapularis, labral), and a diffuse capsular tear. The plaintiff underwent right shoulder surgery in December 2020 and received years of spinal injections and other treatments. An expert accident reconstructionist testified that even a low-speed impact could cause such injuries, and the plaintiff's treating physician opined a 5% whole body impairment.
The defendant disputed causation and the extent of the damages. Arguments included that the low-speed nature of the collision, evidenced by no airbag deployment and no immediate hospital transport, indicated insufficient force to cause the alleged injuries. The defendant also highlighted the plaintiff's extensive pre-existing medical history, which included chronic headaches, migraines, and left hip and shoulder pain. Expert medical testimony for the defense suggested the plaintiff's tests showed only advanced degenerative changes, not acute injuries from the accident.
After deliberation, the jury found the collision caused the plaintiff's injuries and awarded total damages of $700,876. This included $170,876 for past medical expenses, $125,000 for future medical expenses, $150,000 for past non-economic damages, and $255,000 for future non-economic damages. Following the verdict, the parties reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount.
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 Pinellas County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2022, 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 significantly deviates from similar cases
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