Queens County Jury Awards $50,000 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped at a red light when another vehicle rear-ended the car behind her, pushing it into her car. She sued for injuries to her neck and knee. The jury found in her favor.
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
- $50,000
- County
- Queens County, NY
- Resolved
- 2010
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Vehicle negligence, Multi-vehicle collision, Rights
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $50,000 is above the median of $11,079 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $4,175 to $31,428, based on 656 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On November 1, 2007, a multi-vehicle rear-end collision occurred near the intersection of Northern Boulevard and Merrivale Road in Nassau County, New York. The plaintiff's vehicle was stopped at a traffic light when it was struck by a car that had itself been struck from behind by another vehicle. The plaintiff sustained injuries to the cervical spine and right knee.
The plaintiff and her husband filed a motor vehicle negligence lawsuit in the Supreme Court of New York, Queens County, against the driver of the rearmost vehicle. The plaintiffs sought recovery for medical expenses and non-economic damages. During depositions, the defendant's passenger, who was also the defendant's spouse, testified that the defendant struck the car directly in front of them but did not know if that car then made contact with another vehicle. The plaintiff stated that she heard a loud impact behind her before her vehicle was struck, but did not observe the collisions in her rear-view mirror. This lack of a third-party witness to confirm both impacts created a triable issue of fact regarding the sequence and causation of the collisions.
A jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $50,000.
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 Queens County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2010, 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 Queens County.
Similar cases you may find useful
Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.
One driver alleged another driver was negligent in striking their vehicle. A second driver then struck the first driver's vehicle, causing it to hit the plaintiff's vehicle a second time. The plaintiff suffered injuries to their neck, back, and shoulder. The parties resolved the claim for $60,750.
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.
One driver was stopped on a road when their car was struck from behind by another car. This initial impact propelled the stopped car into a third vehicle. The driver of the first car claimed injuries to their back and neck, seeking damages for medical expenses and pain.
One driver was traveling south when their vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. The occupants of the first vehicle claimed injuries to their back and neck. The driver of the first vehicle alleged the other driver was speeding and inattentive, while the second driver claimed the first vehicle stopped suddenly. The first driver sought damages for medical costs, pain, and suffering.
One driver was stopped to make a left turn when their pickup truck was hit from behind by another vehicle. The driver of the pickup truck claimed injuries to their back and neck. The lawsuit alleged the other driver was negligent. The trial focused on 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.