Mississippi Jury Awards $3,336,000 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was traveling east on Interstate 10 when her vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. The injured driver claimed injuries to her back and neck. The other driver claimed the injured driver was speeding and her taillights were not working. The injured driver was diagnosed with herniated discs and underwent surgery and received a spinal cord stimulator. She claimed ongoing pain and limitations.
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
- $4,170,173
- County
- Dallas County, MS
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $4,170,173 is above the median of $40,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $100,000, based on 250 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On November 5, 2015, a vehicle traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 near Gautier was struck from the rear by a trailing vehicle. The driver of the struck vehicle, a 38-year-old plaintiff, claimed injuries to her back and neck. She subsequently filed a lawsuit against the driver of the trailing vehicle and its owner, alleging negligence in the operation of the vehicle and vicarious liability.
The plaintiff asserted that the defendant driver failed to exercise due caution, causing the collision. She claimed she was driving at a safe speed within the posted limit and that her vehicle was functioning correctly. The plaintiff sustained herniations of her C4-5 and C5-6 intervertebral discs, leading to nerve impingement and radiculopathy. She underwent cervical arthroplasty surgery and had a spinal cord stimulator implanted. Expert testimony indicated a need for lifetime replacement of the stimulator and a permanent physical impairment restricting her work activities. The plaintiff sought damages for past and future pain, medical expenses, and lost earning capacity.
The defendants disputed the plaintiff's account, contending that the plaintiff was driving below the 70 mph speed limit and that her taillights were non-operational. Accident-reconstruction experts for the defense opined that the damage to the plaintiff's vehicle and the defendant driver's use of cruise control suggested the plaintiff's vehicle was traveling between 40 mph and 70 mph, likely toward the lower end of that range. Defense experts also claimed that an examination of the plaintiff's taillights indicated they were not operational. The defense further argued that the plaintiff's injuries were pre-existing due to her physically demanding work as a shipyard painter.
After a four-day trial and 10 hours of deliberation, the jury found the defendant driver 80 percent liable and the plaintiff 20 percent liable. The jury determined the plaintiff's total damages were $4,170,172.74. Due to the finding of comparative negligence, the final award was reduced to $3,336,000.
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 2019, 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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