San Antonio Jury Awards $255,500 in UIM Car Crash Claim
One driver entered another driver's lane, causing a collision between their vehicles. The injured driver claimed back and neck injuries. After settling with the at-fault driver's insurance, the injured driver pursued a claim against her own insurance for underinsured motorist benefits. The case proceeded to trial on the issue of damages.
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
- $255,500
- County
- Bexar County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Sideswipe
- Case Type
- Headaches, Hypolordosis, Sprain
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $255,500 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 June 1, 2015, a plaintiff was driving a sedan in San Antonio when another vehicle entered her lane and struck her car. The plaintiff claimed she sustained injuries to her back and neck. She settled her claim against the at-fault driver for the $30,000 policy limit before filing suit. Subsequently, the plaintiff sued her own insurance carrier, Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co., seeking underinsured motorist (UIM) benefits. Additional extra-contractual claims against the insurer and its adjusters were severed and abated prior to trial.
The defendant stipulated to the negligence of the at-fault driver, and the case proceeded to trial solely on the issue of damages. The plaintiff underwent initial emergency care for neck and back pain, later receiving diagnoses including a mild concussion and cervical, thoracic, and lumbar sprains and strains. Subsequent medical imaging revealed herniations in her lumbar and cervical spine. She received physical therapy and epidural steroid injections, and orthopedic surgeons eventually recommended a two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, as well as a lumbar discectomy and laminectomy. The plaintiff also pursued various alternative therapies. A chiropractor assigned impairment ratings for her neck, back, and whole body, and a second orthopedic surgeon concurred with the surgical recommendations. The plaintiff sought damages for past and future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, pain, mental anguish, and physical impairment, arguing for a total of $1.3 million.
The defense highlighted discrepancies between the plaintiff's testimony and medical records, and argued that only the initial chiropractic treatment and other care before July 1, 2015, was reasonable, necessary, and related to the accident. The defense suggested an award of $15,000 for past medical bills only. After a two-day trial and 2.25 hours of deliberation, a San Antonio jury awarded the plaintiff $255,500. However, her recovery was limited to the $50,000 underinsured motorist policy limit, plus taxable costs.
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 Bexar 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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