Whitesburg, Kentucky Jury Awards $80K in Rear-End UIM Claim
A multi-car collision occurred when one vehicle rear-ended another that was stopped in traffic. The impact pushed the stopped vehicle into the one in front of it. One person sustained broken ribs and neck pain, while another reported neck and back pain.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Back Strain / Soft Tissue Injuries
Back strain and soft tissue injuries are among the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. These injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back, often resulting from the sudden impact forces experienced during a collision.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $60,000
- County
- Dallas County, KY
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This settlement of $60,000 is above the median of $20,000 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $6,600 to $53,015, based on 108 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On April 15, 2015, a multi-car rear-end collision occurred on Highway 119 in Whitesburg, Kentucky. A vehicle carrying two plaintiffs was stopped in traffic when it was struck from behind by another driver, then pushed forward into the car ahead. One plaintiff sustained three broken ribs and neck pain, incurring approximately $4,000 in medical bills. The other plaintiff reported neck and back pain, attributing about $6,000 in medical bills to the crash, despite having documented prior similar injuries and ongoing treatment.
The plaintiffs first settled their claims with the at-fault driver. One plaintiff received $25,000, and the other received $5,000. Subsequently, the plaintiffs filed an underinsured motorist (UIM) claim against their insurer, identified at trial as a defendant, seeking $100,000 each for past and future suffering. The defense minimized the claimed injuries, presenting evidence of the second plaintiff's pre-existing conditions and relying on an independent medical examination.
After a single-day trial, a jury deliberated solely on damages. The jury awarded the first plaintiff $60,000 for past suffering and the second plaintiff $20,000 for past suffering. Claims for future suffering were rejected for both. Following a set-off for the initial settlement and personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, the expected final judgment for the first plaintiff was $25,000, and for the second plaintiff, $5,000.
Understanding This Case
- The majority of soft tissue injuries resolve within 6-12 weeks with proper treatment. However, approximately 10-20% of cases may develop into chronic conditions requiring ongoing care.
- This case was resolved through a settlement, avoiding the uncertainty and expense of a trial. Settlements typically resolve faster and provide guaranteed compensation.
- 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 2018, 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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