Louisville Jury Awards $31,111 in Red-Light Injury Crash
A driver ran a red light and struck another vehicle, causing it to hit a light pole. The injured driver was taken to the hospital and treated for a mild brain injury, a bruised knee, and chronic pain. The jury awarded damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Head/Brain Injury Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. Car accidents are a leading cause of TBI, with effects ranging from temporary symptoms to permanent cognitive impairment.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $31,111
- County
- Dallas County, KY
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Head/Brain Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $31,111 is below the median of $671,000 for head/brain injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $90,000 to $6,000,000, based on 61 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A collision occurred near downtown Louisville, Kentucky, on September 11, 2012, when the defendant ran a red light and struck the plaintiff's SUV at the intersection of 12th and Oak Streets. The impact sent the plaintiff's vehicle into a light pole. The defendant admitted fault for the crash. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, seeking damages for injuries including a mild brain injury, a bruised knee, and chronic pain.
The plaintiff sought compensation for $16,511 in medical bills, $90,930 for lost wages, $728,000 for impairment, and $250,000 for pain and suffering. The defense minimized the claimed injuries, presenting an expert who testified that the plaintiff's symptoms were linked to pre-existing degenerative conditions and major depression, rather than the crash itself.
After a two-day trial, the jury awarded the plaintiff $16,511 for medical expenses, $9,600 for lost wages, and $5,000 for pain and suffering, but rejected the claim for permanent impairment. The raw verdict totaled $31,111. A judgment was entered, reduced by $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. The plaintiff's motion for a new trial, arguing the verdict was inadequate, was denied by the court, which stated the jury did not accept the plaintiff's full version of events. The court later granted the defense's motion for costs incurred after a pre-trial offer of judgment, further reducing the judgment by $1,590. A separate bad faith case against the defendant's insurer was also dismissed.
Understanding This Case
- Most mild TBIs resolve within weeks to months. Moderate to severe TBI often results in permanent impairment affecting cognition, behavior, and physical function.
- 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 2016, 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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