Gulfport, Mississippi Jury Awards $1,222,314 in Rear-End Collision
A driver was rear-ended on a county road by another driver who was distracted by their cellphone. The injured driver, who was in a government vehicle, treated for a disc injury and a mild head injury. They were later involved in a second crash, which complicated the case. A doctor linked the ongoing symptoms to the first crash and recommended surgery. The case proceeded against two insurance companies.
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, MS
- 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 $75,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $20,261 to $300,000, based on 119 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On September 13, 2012, a rear-end collision occurred on Ceasar Road in Pearl River County, Mississippi. A county employee, driving a government vehicle, was struck by a distracted driver. The plaintiff sustained a multi-level disc injury and a mild closed head injury. Fault for the crash was not disputed.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit in Pearl River County against the at-fault driver and two underinsured motorist (UIM) carriers—one covering the government vehicle and the other the plaintiff's personal policy. While treating for injuries from the first wreck, the plaintiff was involved in a second crash in July 2014, complicating proof of causation. The at-fault driver later settled, concluding her involvement in the case.
One of the UIM carriers removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi in Gulfport. At trial, the UIM insurers disputed the extent of damages, emphasizing the plaintiff's pre-existing cervical disc issues and the subsequent collision. They highlighted a treating doctor's initial uncertainty about the causal link between the first wreck and the plaintiff's symptoms. However, another neurosurgeon testified that the ongoing symptoms and need for surgery were linked to the initial September 2012 collision.
After a three-day trial, the jury found in favor of the plaintiff. The jury awarded $572,314 in economic damages and $650,000 in non-economic damages, totaling $1,222,314. A judgment was entered against both UIM insurers for the entire sum.
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
This outcome significantly deviates from similar cases
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