Gulfport Jury Awards $1,222,314 in Rear-End Collision
A driver was rear-ended by another vehicle while stopped on a road. The injured driver treated for a disc injury and a head injury. The case involved complex causation proof due to a prior injury and a subsequent crash. The jury awarded economic and non-economic damages.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Cervical Disc Injury Injuries
Cervical disc injuries involve damage to the intervertebral discs in the neck region (C1-C7). These injuries can include herniated discs, bulging discs, and disc degeneration accelerated by trauma.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $1,222,314
- County
- Pearl River County, LA
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This settlement of $1,222,314 is above the median of $133,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $32,080 to $729,994, based on 45 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A rear-end collision occurred on September 13, 2012, in Pearl River County, Mississippi, when a distracted driver struck a government vehicle. The plaintiff, a county employee, sustained a multi-level disc injury and a mild closed head injury in the incident. Fault for the crash was not disputed by the parties.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the driver and two underinsured motorist carriers: Lamorak Insurance, which covered the county vehicle, and GEICO, the plaintiff's personal insurer. While still treating for injuries from the initial crash, the plaintiff was involved in a second collision in July 2014. The driver involved in the first collision later settled, and the case proceeded against the UIM insurers.
The insurers' defense focused on the complex causation argument, highlighting the plaintiff's pre-existing cervical disc problems and the subsequent collision. Medical testimony presented conflicting views on whether the plaintiff's ongoing symptoms were directly linked to the first accident, with one treating doctor asserting a causal link and another expressing uncertainty.
The case was tried for three days in Gulfport, with damages being the sole issue. A jury found in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $572,314 in economic damages and an additional $650,000 in non-economic damages, for a total verdict of $1,222,314. A judgment was subsequently entered against both underinsured motorist carriers for the full amount.
Understanding This Case
- Many cervical disc injuries improve with conservative treatment. However, about 30% of cases may require surgical intervention, with varying degrees of permanent impairment.
- 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 Pearl River 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
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