Jeffersonville Jury Awards $400,000 in Red-Light Collision
One driver was traveling west on 8th Street and proceeded into an intersection on a green light. The other driver, traveling north on Nachand Lane, was distracted and ran a red light, entering the intersection directly in the path of the first driver. The two vehicles collided. The first driver suffered a neck injury and underwent multiple surgeries.
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
- $400,000
- County
- Dallas County, KY
- Resolved
- 2020
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $400,000 is above the median of $10,000 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $3,605 to $26,800, based on 613 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On March 21, 2014, a vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of 8th Street and Nachand Lane in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The plaintiff was driving west on 8th Street and proceeded into the intersection on a green light. The defendant, driving north on Nachand Lane, became distracted and failed to stop at a red light, entering the intersection directly into the plaintiff's path. The plaintiff's vehicle struck the passenger side of the defendant's car.
The plaintiff sustained a cervical neck injury, undergoing three surgeries and incurring medical expenses approaching $67,000. The plaintiff filed suit against the defendant, alleging negligence for running the red light and causing the crash. The plaintiff presented expert testimony regarding future medical treatment costs, estimated at $350,000, and future wage loss, estimated at $215,818. The defendant admitted fault for the collision but disputed the nature, extent, and causation of the plaintiff's claimed injuries, presenting defense medical experts.
The case proceeded to a three-day trial in Jeffersonville. Due to the pandemic, specific precautions were implemented, including jury selection at the Clark County 4-H Community Center, social distancing, mask mandates, and jurors sitting in the audience rather than the jury box. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $400,000 in damages. A judgment for this amount was entered and subsequently satisfied. A post-trial motion for costs filed by the plaintiff, opposed by the defendant, was awaiting a ruling at the time the record was reviewed.
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 Dallas County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2020, 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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