See average payouts for Mississippi vehicle accidents, from minor to severe. Find real car accident cases similar to yours.

On average, each year nearly 1,500 people are seriously injured and 686 people are killed in Mississippi vehicle accidents.¹

Mississippi has the highest per-capita car accident death rate in the United States with more than 25 fatalities for every 100,000 state residents.²

The average car accident settlement for a moderate injury claim in Mississippi is $39,164. Average payouts range from $7,428 for minor injuries to $1,517,388 for severe injuries.

Average Mississippi Car Accident Settlement Amounts

We reviewed a collection of actual car accident injury cases filed in Mississippi courts. Victims’ injuries ranged in severity from minor soft tissue injuries to permanent brain damage.

Average Payout by Severity of Injury
Minor Injury	$7,428
Moderate Injury	$39,164
Severe Injury	$1,517,388
Payout Range by Type of Accident
Rear-End Collisions	$2,000 - $300,000
Side-Impact Collisions	$4,000 - $2,900,000*
Head-On Collisions	$6,937 - $3,136,422**

The majority of cases in our analysis group involved neck and back injuries, although many victims suffered a combination of injuries. Settlements and court awards are to compensate for all the victim’s injuries, not just the most obvious or serious injury.

Our group of Mississippi car accident cases includes examples of million-dollar payouts. Most car accident victims can expect to settle their injury claim in the moderate range.

How Accident Settlements Are Calculated

You can estimate the settlement value of a minor to moderate injury claim by adding up all the economic damages, also called “special” damages, like lost wages and medical bills, then adding one to three times that amount to cover non-economic damages, also called “general” damages, like pain and suffering.

Complicated or severe injury cases should be handled by an experienced personal injury attorney for the best outcome. An attorney will gather expert opinions to support a high-dollar compensation demand that includes current and projected medical costs, loss of future income, and a higher amount to compensate for the emotional distress that comes with disabling injuries.

Factors Affecting Payout Amounts

Other factors that influence injury payouts in Mississippi include:

• Injury Severity – Serious and permanent injuries resulting in disability, amputations, or disfigurement settle for much higher amounts than relatively minor soft-tissue injuries with full recovery.
• Shared Fault – Mississippi is a pure comparative negligence state. You can file an injury claim against the other party even if you share some responsibility for your injuries. Your final payout will be reduced according to your percentage of fault.
• Auto Policy Limits – Mississippi mandates all drivers carry insurance no less than $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident bodily injury liability, and $25,000 property damage liability. The minimum liability limit may not be enough to cover severe injury claims.
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage – Mississippi requires insurance carriers to offer uninsured motorist coverage (UM) equal to the policy’s liability limits. The policyholder has the right to reject UM coverage by signing a waiver form. Drivers with uninsured motorist coverage have recourse for serious injuries caused by a hit-and-run, or someone with no insurance or not enough insurance.
• Multiple Claimants – The per-accident liability coverage carried by the at-fault driver may not be enough to go around when multiple victims are seriously injured.
• Venue and Jurisdiction – Some district courts have a history of large awards issued to car accident victims. The at-fault driver’s insurance company may be willing to offer a better settlement to keep your case from going to trial.
• Punitive Damages: Punitive damages can only be awarded by a judge or jury in a court trial when the accident is the result of actual malice, gross negligence, or reckless indifference to the rights of others. Mississippi’s punitive damage law requires consideration of the at-fault party’s financial condition and limits the amount of punitive damages based on the defendant’s net worth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Minor Injury Case Examples

Minor injuries from a car accident will include some scrapes, minor cuts, bumps and bruises. There may be muscle sprains or strains with a few days of stiffness. Most minor injury victims are back to normal within a month, and only miss a week or less of work.

Sideswipe Collision Aggravated Pre-Existing Back Injury

Type of Injury: Aggravated Back Injury
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $1,500
Case Summary: A vehicle driven by defendant crossed the center line and struck the right side of the plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff suffered exacerbation of pre-existing medical conditions including lumbar strain, burning pain in her left lower back region, muscle spasms and mental anguish as a result of the motor vehicle accident. Defendant admitted liability but claimed plaintiff had a pre-existing condition regarding her lower posterior back region due to a previous rollover accident which was not related to the current accident; that plaintiff suffered only a minor lumbar strain that healed with no permanent or partial impairment; and that plaintiff’s history of obesity contributed to her lower back pain. The jury found for plaintiff and awarded her $1,500 in damages.
Location: Jackson County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Allen v. Gentry, 1:11-cv-00313-LG-RHW

Rear-End Crash with Questionable Back Injuries

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and lower back injuries-bulging disc at L4-L5; degenerative disc disease; contusions and bruises
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $3,571
Case Summary: Plaintiff was stopped in a line of traffic when defendant rear-ended his vehicle, pushing it into a third vehicle which was also stopped. Plaintiff claimed he suffered soft tissue neck and lower back injuries, degenerative disc disease, bulging disc at L4-L5, contusions and bruises as a direct result of the accident. Defendant contended that he rear-ended a third party’s vehicle, pushing it into plaintiff’s vehicle, and that third party’s vehicle incurred the brunt of the impact. Jury returned a plaintiff verdict for $3,571. Per counsel, the following impacted the outcome: (1) plaintiff’s credibility; (2) defendant’s medical testimony that plaintiff’s degenerative condition was not proximately related to the accident; and (3) plaintiff’s bulging discs were not impinging on the nerve roots to justify plaintiff’s claim of chronic pain.
Location: Madison County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Winstead v. Keppler, 3:11-cv-00475-DPJ-FKB

Rear-End Settlement for Soft-Tissue Injuries

Type of Injury: Neck and back injuries-cervical and lumbar strain with headaches
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $5,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff’s vehicle was struck from behind by the defendant’s vehicle. Plaintiff claimed he suffered headaches and cervical and lumbar strain. The defendant admitted liability but maintained that the plaintiff’s injuries were related to a motor vehicle accident following the subject accident. Defendant however agreed to settle the claim for $5,000. Plaintiff accepted the offer.
Location: Leflore County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Grussaute v. Feigley, 5:14-cv-00100-KS-MTP

Rear-End Crash with Passenger Neck and Back Sprains

Type of Injury: Neck and lower back injury-Muscle and ligament strains of cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spine with muscle spasms
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $6,376
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a non-party vehicle, which was traveling northbound and had slowed for traffic on the highway, when his host vehicle was struck from behind by a northbound vehicle driven by defendant. Plaintiff said he suffered musculoligamentous strains of his cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spine with muscle spasms. The defendant denied liability, and contended the plaintiff failed to take reasonable action to promote his own recovery and failed to follow the advice of his medical providers with respect to treatment that would have lessened his discomfort. Jury found for plaintiff in the amount of $6,376.
Location: Pearl River County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Amacker v. Dedeaux, 15-380

Shared Blame Collision with Neck, Back, and Foot Injuries

Type of Injury: Neck and back sprain; left foot injury
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $6,937
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving west. Defendant, who had also been headed in a westerly direction, unexpectedly strayed off the highway, and then veered in front of plaintiff’s car, causing a collision. Plaintiff claimed injuries to her left foot, sprains of her neck and back, as well as medical bills and diminished earning capacity. Defendants denied the allegations. They contended that the fault lay with plaintiff, for driving too fast in a vehicle with defective brakes, and failing to maintain a proper lookout. The facts were presented to a Jury, which deemed defendant negligent and 95 percent responsible for the accident. Plaintiff was assigned 5 percent of responsibility. Plaintiff’s award was reduced to $6,937, per fault apportionment.
Location: Madison County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: McLaughlin v. Drew Freight, Inc, 2011-0250

Jury Reduces Side-Impact Collision Award

Type of Injury: Neck injury-cervical strain; right knee strain; right ankle strain; right wrist strain; contusion of the right third finger
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $8,929
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving southbound when a westbound vehicle operated by defendant failed to stop for a stop sign and collided with plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff claimed he suffered a cervical strain, a right knee strain, a right ankle strain, a right wrist strain and a contusion of the right third finger as a result of the accident. The defendant denied liability and claimed that plaintiff’s alleged injuries and damages were caused by an earlier motor vehicle accident. The jury allocated 95% of the responsibility for the incident to the defendant, and 5% to the plaintiff. The plaintiff’s damages were set at $8,929.08 based on fault apportionment.
Location: Lincoln County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Clark v. McCorkle, 2014-0032CV-2L

At-Fault Driver Forced to Pay More After Jury Trial

Type of Injury: Neck injury-cervical sprain; head injury
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $9,131
Case Summary: Plaintiff drove northbound. The roads were icy, so plaintiff slowed down due to the road conditions. After she braked, defendant rear-ended her vehicle with his pick-up truck. Plaintiff received a diagnosis of cervical sprain and head injury after the accident and later complained of lingering headaches and pain in her head, lower back, leg and foot. Defendant generally denied the allegations in his answer. The case went to arbitration. The arbitrator found in favor of the plaintiff and recommended an award of $4,248.64 in damages. Believing he would fare better in front of a jury, defendant requested a new trial. The jury found against defendant and returned a verdict for plaintiff, awarding her $9,131 in damages.
Location: Jackson County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Thompson v. Nguyen, 2009-CT-01147-SCT; 2009-CA-01147-COA

Chain Collision with Headaches, Neck and Back Strain

Type of Injury: Injury to left shoulder; post-traumatic headaches and dizziness; cervical, dorsal and lumbosacral strains
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $10,321
Case Summary: Plaintiff was involved in a chain reaction collision in which her southbound vehicle was struck from behind by a vehicle operated by defendant, which subsequently pushed his vehicle into the vehicle in front of her. Plaintiff claimed she suffered injury to her left shoulder, post-traumatic headaches with dizziness and memory deficits, cervical, dorsal and lumbosacral strains and mental anguish as a result of the accident. The defendant generally denied liability. Jurors returned a verdict for the plaintiff, awarding her $10,321 in damages.
Location: Jackson County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Hubbard v. Delta Sanitation, LLC, A2401-08-140

Victim Shared Fault for Rear-End Collision

Type of Injury: Injuries to chest and ribs
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $10,472
Case Summary: Plaintiff drove his vehicle east. The right lane of the highway was closed due to road construction. When the right lane reopened, Plaintiff said he drove into the right lane of traffic after checking his rear-view mirror and was subsequently rear-ended by a vehicle driven by defendant. Plaintiff sustained injuries to his chest and ribs due to the accident. In his answer, defendant generally denied the plaintiff’s allegations and specifically denied he struck plaintiff’s vehicle. Defendant claimed the plaintiff’s negligence had proximately caused his injuries and damages. The case proceeded to trial. Jury found plaintiff 25 percent negligent and defendant 75 percent negligent for the collision. Jury awarded plaintiff $2,333.20 for economic damages, $2,139 for property damages and $6,000 for noneconomic damages.
Location: Jackson County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Anderson v. Salaam, 2014-047L

Parking Lot Accident with Neck and Back Injuries

Type of Injury: Injuries to neck and back
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $12,045
Case Summary: Plaintiff said she drove her vehicle through a parking lot as defendant backed her own vehicle out of a parking space and into the plaintiff’s vehicle, striking it on the front passenger’s side door. Plaintiff claimed injuries to her neck and back. Plaintiff claimed defendant was inattentive and drove too fast for the circumstances. In addition, the plaintiff argued the defendant had defective brakes, failed to apply her brakes in a timely manner and failed to sound her horn. Defendant denied all allegations and the case proceeded to an arbitrator. The arbitrator found defendant liable for the accident, with no contributory negligence on the plaintiff’s part, awarding plaintiff $12,045 in damages.
Location: DeSoto County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Tedford v. Cothran, 3:08-cv-00026-WAP-SAA

Moderate Injury Case Examples

Moderate car accident injuries may include simple fractures, bulging or herniated discs, brain concussions, and extensive soft-tissue injuries that can take weeks or months to heal. Some moderate injuries may have lingering effects. Victims may be out of work for a few months, depending on the physical requirements of their employment.

Rear-End Accident with Disputed Shoulder injury and Back Strains

Type of Injury: Left shoulder injury-rotator cuff sprain and bursitis; others-cervical and lumbar strains
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $15,873
Case Summary: Plaintiff’s westbound vehicle, stopped at a red light, was rear-ended by a vehicle operated by defendant and owned by co-defendant. Plaintiff claimed he suffered permanent left shoulder injury, including rotator cuff sprain and bursitis, cervical and lumbar strains with permanent injury to the lumbar spine and severe emotional distress as a direct result of the accident. Defendant admitted liability but disputed damages, noting that the plaintiff suffered low back injuries in a prior motor vehicle accident. Jury returned $15,873 verdict for plaintiff.
Location: Jackson County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Clancy v. Greyhound Bus Lines, Inc, 1:11cv336; 1:11-CV-00336

Tractor-Trailer Crash with Neck, Back, and Shoulder Injuries

Type of Injury: Stiffness and pain in neck, back and shoulder
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $16,145
Case Summary: Defendant was operating a tractor-trailer owned by co-defendant. Defendant was attempting to merge onto a roadway from an entrance ramp when plaintiff rear-ended the tractor. Plaintiff claimed she suffered stiffness and pain in her neck, back and shoulder as a result of the accident. Plaintiff contended that defendant failed to yield the right-of-way and cut in front of her vehicle. Defendants claimed plaintiff was negligent in failing to pay full attention to traffic, in failing to maintain proper control of her vehicle and in following too closely and that plaintiff’s negligence was the sole proximate cause of the accident. Defendants further argued that plaintiff’s injuries were pre-existing and had resolved. Jury returned a plaintiff verdict.
Location: Madison County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Rice v Cresco Capital, Inc., 3:16-cv-00588-DPJ-FKB

Neck and Back Strains and Sprains after Two Accidents

Type of Injury: Strain and sprain of neck and back.
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $16,500
Case Summary: Plaintiff and the defendant were driving their respective autos in a residential area on the way to work on a clear dry morning. The plaintiff was traveling down a hill and had the right-of-way when the defendant vehicle, coming from a side street, struck the plaintiff broadside. Plaintiff suffered strain and sprain of neck and back without any permanency. Defendant contended he stopped and looked for oncoming traffic at the stop sign but did not see any as he entered the intersection. He further argues that plaintiff was speeding through the intersection. Jury found in favor of Plaintiff, awarding him $16,500 in damages. Per Plaintiff’s Counsel, two months after this accident the plaintiff had a second accident and the overlapping injuries were confusing to the jury, impacting the outcome.
Location: Jackson County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Hurst v. DeJong, 3:11cv60

Jury Not Swayed by Excuses for Rear-End Collision

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and low back injuries
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $17,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was stopped in a line of traffic at a red light when defendant rear-ended his vehicle. Plaintiff suffered soft tissue neck and low back injuries. Defendant contended that the accident occurred at a point where the roadway had two lanes of travel in his direction of travel and that he was attempting to pass plaintiff and other vehicles stopped at the traffic light on their right at the time of the accident. Further, an unidentified motorist pulled out from a driveway to his right, creating a sudden emergency, and that he lost control of his truck on the wet road surface and collided with plaintiff’s vehicle. Jury found in favor of plaintiff, awarding him $17,000 in damages.
Location: Jackson County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Adams v. Hilton, 3:11-cv-00618-DPJ-FKB

Rear-End Collision with Back Sprains and Lumber Disc Bulge

Type of Injury: “Back injury-disc bulges at L1-L5; Others-cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral strains; cervical and lumbosacral radiculopathy
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $24,395
Case Summary: As plaintiff drove northbound, stopped at a red light, a northbound vehicle operated by defendant struck plaintiff’s vehicle in the rear. Plaintiff said he suffered aggravation of previously asymptomatic disc bulges at levels L1 through L5; cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral strains; cervical and lumbosacral radiculopathy; and 5% permanent partial disability of her cervical and lumbar spine. The defendant denied liability and claimed the plaintiff’s two previous motor vehicle accidents caused her alleged injuries. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff and awarded her $20,443.85 for past medical expenses and $3,952 for past lost earnings.
Location: Hinds County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Jackson v. Construction Group, LLC., 2:19-cv-00130-KS-MTP

Award for Herniated Discs, Nerve Involvement Despite Challenge

Type of Injury: Spinal nerve with disc injury-herniated disc at L5-S1 and lower lumbar strain; right thigh pain with numbness
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $31,180
Case Summary: Plaintiff’s vehicle was struck by a motor vehicle driven by defendant at a controlled intersection. Plaintiff suffered a herniated disc at L5-S1, lower lumbar strain, and right thigh pain with numbness, which required him to undergo surgery for an L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc compression. Defendant denied liability. An expert witness for the defendant maintained plaintiff had a lower lumbar strain but also had a diagnosis of degenerative disc disease prior to the motor vehicle accident, and that the plaintiff’s surgery was attributable to his preexisting spinal degenerative disc disease and not caused by or necessary due to the motor vehicle accident. Plaintiff received compensatory pain and suffering award of $31,180 in a jury verdict.
Location: Harrison County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Wetzel v. Sears, A2402-14-183; 2015-00903

Head-On Crash with Underage Passenger Disc Herniations

Type of Injury: Neck and back injuries-lumbar and cervical disc herniations
Type of Accident: Head-On
Award/Settlement Amount: $35,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff, a male minor, was a back-seat passenger in a vehicle operated by a non-party motorist. Defendant motorist, driving south, crossed over the center median and struck plaintiff’s host vehicle head-on. Plaintiff suffered lumbar and cervical disc herniations. Plaintiff’s parents made a claim against defendants for the minor’s injuries and damages. Defendants, without admitting liability, offered to compromise the claim and settle the matter for $35,000. The plaintiffs accepted the offer. The court approved the settlement agreement, disbursed the proceeds and dismissed the matter with prejudice.
Location: Madison County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Clark v. Lard Oil Company, Inc, 2:18-cv-00109-KS-MTP

Improper Left-Turn Causes Ruptured Disc and Ankle Fracture

Type of Injury: Back injury-herniated disc at L4-L5; nondisplaced linear fracture of left ankle.
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $75,000
Case Summary: Defendant’s vehicle was stopped waiting to make a left turn. Plaintiff was driving his vehicle in the opposite direction. Plaintiff’s vehicle struck the front driver’s side of defendant’s vehicle. Defendant was ticketed at the scene of the accident for making an improper left turn. Plaintiff said he suffered herniated disc at L4-L5 in back and a nondisplaced linear fracture of left ankle. Defendant admitted liability but contended plaintiff’s back problem was not proximately related to the accident. Jury awarded plaintiff $75,000. Per counsel, plaintiff’s treating physician, was of the opinion that the trauma of the accident resulted in a tear in the annulus of the subsequently herniated disc and that the disc fully ruptured seven months thereafter due to a running incident.
Location: Harrison County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Taylor v. Stubblefield, 14-455

T-Bone Crash with Disputed Neck and Shoulder Injuries

Type of Injury: Neck and shoulder injuries-cervical and shoulder strains
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $77,870
Case Summary: Plaintiff and defendant were operating their respective vehicles on intersecting Streets. Defendant failed to obey a stop sign and ‘T-boned’ plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff suffered cervical and shoulder strains. At the time of the accident, defendant was operating a vehicle owned by Co-defendant. The defendants admitted liability but disputed the plaintiff’s injuries and contended that they were unrelated to the accident. Defendants further contended that plaintiff had a preexisting condition of lupus and was already receiving chiropractic treatment prior to the motor vehicle accident. Jury awarded plaintiff $77,870 in damages.
Location: Madison County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Herrington v. Royal Freight, LP, 3:10-cv-00661-CWR-LRA

Rear-End Crash Settlement for Extensive Soft-tissue Injuries

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries-cervical and lumbar strains, multiple contusions and abrasions
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $82,672
Case Summary: Plaintiff’s vehicle was rear-ended by defendant’s vehicle. Plaintiff contended that she suffered cervical and lumbar strains and multiple contusions and abrasions and that defendant was the sole proximate cause of the accident and her injuries. The defendant denied liability, disputed the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries, and contended that plaintiff stopped her vehicle abruptly and caused this accident. The claimed settled for $82,672 before trial.
Location: Hinds County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: McAllister v. Stafford, 3:14cv538; 3:14-cv-00538

Severe Injury Case Examples

Severe car accidents can result in multiple injuries to a victim, often with residual impairment, permanent scarring, or disfigurement. Some severe injury victims are totally and permanently disabled. These injury victims may be out of work for months, and some are never able to return to regular employment.

Passenger of At-Fault Drunk Driver Suffers Disfiguring Injuries

Type of Injury: Nose injury-fractured nasal septum
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $115,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a van operated by Defendant. Defendant struck the left front panel of a truck trailer owned by co-defendant. Defendant was arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Plaintiff said she suffered a fractured nasal septum requiring three surgeries and resulting in disfigurement, minor scarring and permanent functional disability of the nose. She claimed Defendant was reckless in operating his motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in violation of the law. Defendant admitted liability but disputed plaintiff’s injuries. Co-defendant blamed defendant for traveling through a red traffic control signal. Further, Defendant’s negligent was the sole proximate cause of the accident. Jury found both defendant at fault for the accident and awarded plaintiff $107,500 against defendant and $7,500 against co-defendant.
Location: Smith County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Norwood v. Thompson Transport, Inc., 3:11-cv-00777-HTW-LRA

Rear-End Jury Award for Injuries Ending Victim’s Athletic Activities

Type of Injury: General neck and back injuries
Type of Accident: Rear-End
Award/Settlement Amount: $150,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff and defendant were operating their respective automobiles when defendant rear-ended the plaintiff. Plaintiff was very active in karate at the time of the accident. He claimed the impact resulted in a neck and back injury to the extent that he will never be able to resume his karate activities. Plaintiff further contended that he will require future chiropractic treatment for an indefinite period of time. Defendant contended plaintiff’s injuries were exaggerated and the chiropractic treatments were not medically necessary. Defendant also argued that Plaintiff’s earning capacity as a computer technician was not impaired and plaintiff did not lose income from his inability to pursue karate. Jury awarded plaintiff $150,000 in damages plus interest.
Location: Madison County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Alan v. Joseph, 5:97CV34BRS

Severe Motorcyclist Injury Award Reduced by Half for Shared Fault

Type of Injury: Multiple leg fractures and a knee injury on left leg
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $171,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was operating his motorcycle on a rural highway. Plaintiff approached an intersection with a secondary road and attempted to turn left. Plaintiff’s motorcycle collided with defendant’s automobile which was on the secondary road and attempting to turn right. The defendant was controlled by a stop sign. Plaintiff claimed that defendant ran the stop sign and that the point of collision was beyond the stop sign. Plaintiff said he suffered multiple leg fractures and a knee injury resulting in a 60% disability to the left leg. Defendant contended that plaintiff turned too sharply and that the collision occurred in defendant’s lane of travel. Jury found both plaintiff and defendant equally at fault for the collision. Jury awarded plaintiff $342,000 less 50% comparative fault for a net verdict of $171,000.
Location: Harrison County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Fields-Dedeaux v. Masters Trucking, LLC, 1:13-cv-00210-HSO-RHW; 1:13cv210

Disputed Fault for Head-On Collision Settles Out-of-Court

Type of Injury: Leg injury-Fractured heel; nose and sternum fractures; facial lacerations
Type of Accident: Head-On
Award/Settlement Amount: $400,000
Case Summary: Defendant was driving a laundry truck at dusk on a rainy day, on a two-way road separated by a double yellow line. Traffic in front of defendant came to a sudden stop and defendant braked. Defendant’s truck skidded across the center line and struck plaintiff’s vehicle head-on. Defendant was driving slower than the posted speed limit at the time of the accident. Plaintiff suffered fractured heel, nose and sternum and facial lacerations resulting in permanent disability to right lower extremity and limbs. Defendant denied all allegations and contended that: (1) he responded to a sudden emergency in his lane of traffic; (2) road conditions caused him to lose control of his vehicle; and (3) the accident was unavoidable. Parties subsequently agreed to a $400,000 settlement.
Location: Lauderdale County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Guy v. Fornea 5, LLC, 2:15-cv-00146-KS-MTP

Shared Fault Award Reduction for Left-Turn Crash Injuries

Type of Injury: Fractured femur in leg; floating kneecap; broken teeth
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $686,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was operating a motorcycle at night on a heavily traveled and well lit roadway. Defendant was driving in the opposite direction. Defendant made a left turn in front of plaintiff’s motorcycle, resulting in a collision. Plaintiff suffered fractured femur in leg, floating kneecap requiring several surgeries, and broken teeth. Plaintiff alleged that defendant driver was negligent in failing to yield the right-of-way and that defendant was acting within the scope of his employment at the time of the accident. Defendants contended that plaintiff was comparatively negligent in traveling at an excessive rate of speed on a motorcycle without lights and in operating his vehicle under the influence of alcohol and narcotics. Plaintiff’s award of $980,000 less 30% comparative negligence yielded a net verdict of $686,000.
Location: Jackson County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Bridges v. Enterprise Transportation, 3:05-cv-00786

Dump Truck and Motorcycle Crash Shared Fault Settlement

Type of Injury: Crushed left heel and fractured tibia, fibula and femur of the left leg
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $1,150,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was riding a borrowed motorcycle. He negotiated a curve and confronted a dump-truck operated by Defendant and owned by co-defendant in his lane of travel. Plaintiff braked, skidded and collided with the rear-tire of the tri-axle dump-truck. Plaintiff’s left heel was crushed. He also suffered fractured tibia, fibula and femur of the left leg. Defendants contended that the accident was caused by plaintiff losing control of his motorcycle due to excessive speed on a curve. Jury found both plaintiff and defendant negligent. Plaintiff’s award of $1,100,000 less 7.5% contributory negligence resulted in net verdict of $1,017,500. Case settled subsequent to verdict for $1,150,000 with $600,000 paid up front and the remaining $550,000 being structured.
Location: Jackson County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Calhoun v. Group Contractors, 2:12-CV-00070

Head-On Crash with Knee, Head Injuries Aggravation of Prior Condition

Type of Injury: Right knee injury; head injury aggravating pre-existing migraine headaches
Type of Accident: Head-On
Award/Settlement Amount: $2,000,000
Case Summary: Defendant, a 17-year old male, was driving on a narrow two-lane road a vehicle owned by his father, co-defendant. Plaintiff was driving her vehicle in the opposite direction. She saw defendant driving erratically and stopped. Defendant lost control of his vehicle, crossed the centerline, struck a stone wall, and then struck plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff claimed she suffered injury to right knee requiring arthroscopic surgery and head injury which exacerbated pre-existing migraine headaches. Plaintiff claimed that Defendant was negligent in driving his vehicle in a reckless manner and that co-defendant was negligent in entrusting his automobile to his son. Defendant contended his vehicle skidded on ice. Defendants’ Insurer agreed to settle the claim for $2,000,000.
Location: Hinds County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Kirkland v. Barnett, 17-474

Speeding Driver Causes Severe Leg Fracture to Pedestrian

Type of Injury: Fractured right leg
Severity Rating: Severe
Award/Settlement Amount: $2,759,094
Case Summary: Defendant driver was traveling south. Plaintiff pedestrian, who was standing on the side of the roadway, motioned to defendant to slow her vehicle due to ice on the road. When defendant encountered the icy area, she lost control of her vehicle and struck plaintiff, fracturing her right leg. Plaintiff contended that defendant was negligent in traveling too fast for conditions and in failing to keep her vehicle under reasonable and proper control. Defendant contended that she did nothing wrong and that ice on the roadway was the sole proximate cause of the accident. Jury found defendant driver’s negligence was a proximate cause of the accident and awarded plaintiff $2,759,094 in damages.
Location: Jackson County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Newton v. IB Logistics, 17-609

Multiple-Vehicle Crash Injures Passenger

Type of Injury: Hand injury-Multiple fractures of left wrist
Type of Accident: Head-On
Award/Settlement Amount: $3,136,442
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle operated by a third party. Defendant, who was operating a tractor-trailer owned by Co-defendant made an improper left turn and struck the third party’s vehicle head-on. The third party’s vehicle was subsequently rear-ended by another automobile. The bumper of the tractor-trailer broke through the windshield of the third party’s vehicle and plaintiff struck his left wrist on the bumper, fracturing it. Defendants contended that negligence of the third party and motorist who rear-ended the third party’s vehicle caused the accident. Jury found defendant 65% negligent, operator of plaintiff’s vehicle 30% negligent and operator of the vehicle that rear-ended plaintiff’s vehicle 5% negligent. Jury awarded plaintiff $3,136,442. Per plaintiff’s counsel, testimony of plaintiff’s plastic surgeon regarding the keloid scar significantly impacted the outcome.
Location: Jackson County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Henderson v. Jay Bearden Construction, 12-267

Side-Impact Collision with Permanent Brian Injury, Hearing Loss

Type of Injury: Head injury-brain injury, numbness of face and tongue, limitation of opening and closing mouth, inability to chew and hearing loss
Type of Accident: Side-Impact
Award/Settlement Amount: $4,606,347
Case Summary: Plaintiff’s vehicle stopped at an intersection waiting to turn left. Defendant ran a stop sign and broadsided plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff’s head struck the window on the driver’s side door as a result of the impact. Plaintiff suffered a permanent brain injury, numbness of face and tongue, limitation of opening and closing mouth, inability to chew and some hearing loss. Defendant admitted liability but contended that plaintiff has a pre-existing TMJ condition and that plaintiff’s injuries were pre-existing and not causally related to the accident. Jury returned a plaintiff verdict and awarded him $4,606,347 in damages.
Location: Lafayette County, Mississippi
Case Name and Docket Number: Osby v. L&T Construction, 18-345

Methodology

We analyzed a group of actual car accident injury lawsuits filed in Mississippi courts. Every case in our group resulted in either an insurance settlement or a court award. This group does not include wrongful death claims or cases that didn’t result in a payout for the plaintiff.

Averages are calculated by adding all the payouts in a group and dividing the total by the number of cases in the group. Unusually high awards can skew the average higher.