Denver Jury Awards $3,025,000 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was rear-ended by a rental company employee while slowing down in traffic. The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles. The injured driver experienced chronic pain and incurred substantial medical bills and lost income. The case was resolved with a jury award.
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
- Settlement
- Amount
- $3,025,000
- County
- Dallas County, CO
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This settlement of $3,025,000 is above the median of $20,000 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $6,600 to $53,015, based on 108 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A plaintiff filed a lawsuit after she was rear-ended by a vehicle rental company employee on Interstate 25 near Monument, Colorado. The incident occurred as the plaintiff slowed her vehicle due to traffic, at which point an employee of The Hertz Corporation struck her vehicle at approximately 60 mph. The defendant's employee was transporting vehicles for the company, and the collision destroyed the Hertz car while causing over $20,000 in damages to the plaintiff's vehicle.
The plaintiff asserted the crash caused debilitating chronic pain, over $390,000 in medical bills, and significant loss of income. She subsequently filed suit in Denver District Court against The Hertz Corporation, alleging negligence on the part of its driver. The plaintiff sought compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and non-economic damages.
The defendant offered a pre-trial settlement of $6,000. After a five-day trial, a Denver jury awarded the plaintiff $3,025,000 in damages. This total included $750,000 for non-economic damages and $2,500,000 for economic losses.
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 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 Dallas County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2016, 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
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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