Louisville Jury Awards $11,447 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was rear-ended by another vehicle. The collision caused minor damage. The injured driver sought medical treatment for neck pain, which led to surgery. The case proceeded to trial on damages only after liability was established by default. A jury awarded the injured driver a portion of his medical bills but no compensation for pain and suffering.
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
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $11,447
- County
- Dallas County, KY
- Resolved
- 2022
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $11,447 is below the median of $40,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $100,607, based on 254 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A plaintiff filed a lawsuit in Louisville, Kentucky, seeking damages for injuries sustained in a July 2016 rear-end collision. The then 29-year-old plaintiff was struck by the defendant's vehicle, which resulted in minor vehicle damage. No injuries were reported at the scene.
The day after the collision, the plaintiff sought emergency medical treatment for neck pain. Three months later, a neurosurgeon performed cervical fusion surgery. The plaintiff alleged the collision aggravated pre-existing neck conditions, causing them to become symptomatic and necessitating the surgery. The lawsuit sought $29,341 in medical expenses and an additional $250,000 for pain and suffering.
The defendant did not appear at trial, leading to a default judgment on liability. The case proceeded to trial solely on the issue of damages. A physician specializing in occupational medicine, testifying for the defense, concluded that the collision caused only a temporary strain injury. This expert noted the plaintiff's documented history of neck pain, including prior incidents, and opined that any treatment beyond immediate acute care was unrelated to the crash.
A Louisville jury awarded the plaintiff $11,447 for medical bills but did not award any damages for pain and suffering. The final judgment was entered for $1,147, reflecting the jury's award less personal injury protection benefits.
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 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 2022, 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.
Want to check your case value?
Get a free case evaluation to understand what your motor vehicle accident case might be worth based on cases like this in Dallas County.
Similar cases you may find useful
Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.
One driver was stopped at an intersection preparing to turn left when their vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. The driver claimed neck injuries. The other driver's insurer offered its policy limit. The injured driver sued their own insurer for underinsured motorist benefits, alleging the other driver was negligent. The defense questioned the extent of injuries and suggested they were pre-existing.
One driver was stopped behind another vehicle when her car was hit from behind by a trailing car. The injured driver claimed injuries to her back, head, and neck, including herniated discs and nerve impingement. The defense conceded liability, and the trial focused on damages. The injured driver testified that she still experiences back pain and has difficulty lifting children, impacting her ability to work as a nanny.
One driver was traveling on a tollway when their vehicle ran out of gas and became disabled. The other driver, who was following behind, struck the disabled vehicle. The first driver claimed injuries to their neck and back. The jury found the second driver 80% liable and the first driver 20% liable.
A driver alleged that a tractor-trailer driver was negligent in causing a rear-end collision. The plaintiff suffered neck and spinal injuries requiring surgery. The defendants disputed causation and the extent of the injuries. The plaintiff claimed the truck driver was under the influence of drugs. The jury found in favor of the plaintiff.
One driver stopped in traffic due to construction. The other driver rear-ended the stopped vehicle. The injured driver claimed ankle and back injuries. The defense argued the accident was unavoidable or that the driver acted as an ordinary and prudent driver. The jury found the second driver liable but awarded no damages.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.