Indianapolis Jury Awards $2,054 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was traveling north on a street when they stopped at an intersection. The driver behind them then rear-ended their vehicle. The injured driver claimed pain in their neck, shoulders, and upper limbs, along with headaches and tingling. The other driver argued the injured driver stopped abruptly. A jury found the second driver 100% at fault.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Neck Injury (Whiplash) Injuries
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by rapid back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly occurring in rear-end collisions. Despite being frequently dismissed, whiplash can cause significant pain and disability.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $2,054
- County
- Marion County, IN
- Resolved
- 2023
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $2,054 is below the median of $9,367 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $3,100 to $25,000, based on 590 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On May 9, 2015, a rear-end collision occurred on Keystone Avenue in Indianapolis. The plaintiff, driving northbound, stopped to make a right turn onto 96th Street when the defendant, operating a vehicle directly behind, struck the plaintiff's car. The plaintiff reported immediate neck pain, which later progressed to include ongoing pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper limbs, as well as headaches, tingling, and numbness. The plaintiff's medical expenses totaled $44,502, with providers accepting $24,899 as payment in full.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendant, alleging negligence for causing the crash and subsequent injuries. A physical medicine expert opined that the plaintiff sustained a whiplash injury from the incident. The defendant contended that the plaintiff was at fault for stopping abruptly. A defense expert performed a records review, but did not physically examine the plaintiff.
The case proceeded to a two-day trial in Indianapolis. The jury assigned 100% fault to the defendant and awarded the plaintiff $2,054 in damages. This amount represented less than 10% of the plaintiff's paid medical expenses. The court entered a judgment reflecting the verdict, which the defendant subsequently satisfied.
Understanding This Case
- Most whiplash injuries improve within 2-3 months. However, about 25% of patients experience chronic symptoms lasting over a year, significantly impacting quality of life.
- 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 Marion County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2023, 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
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