Explore injury settlements and court awards for rear-end car accidents in California. Find actual case examples similar to yours.

More than a third of the speeding-related fatal and severe injury crashes in California are rear-end collisions.¹

The average settlement for a moderate rear-end collision in California is $44,975. Actual payout amounts ranged from $2,500 for minor soft-tissue injuries to $5,750,000 for severe disabling injuries.

Average Payouts for California Rear-End Collisions

We compiled and analyzed a group of actual lawsuits filed in California courts by people injured in rear-end collisions. There are no wrongful death cases in the group.

Average Payout by Severity of Injury
Minor Injury	$7,036
Moderate Injury	$44,975
Severe Injury	$2,331,290
Payout Range by Type of Injury
Neck and Back Injuries	$2,500 - $5,750,000

Factors Affecting California Rear-End Settlement Amounts

The value of a rear-end injury claim hinges on the severity of the victim’s injuries and how they affect the person’s ability to function in daily life. Most settlements include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Other factors that influence injury payouts in California:

• Impact Severity – Adjusters are suspicious of big injury claims from low-impact rear-end accidents. High-dollar payouts are more common in high-impact or multiple-impact scenarios.
• Shared Fault – California is a pure comparative fault state. You can file a claim against the other driver, even when you are more to blame for causing the accident. Your payout will be reduced according to your percentage of fault.
• Auto Policy Limits – California requires all drivers to carry insurance no less than $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident bodily injury liability, and $5,000 property damage liability. If the at-fault driver only has minimal limits, there might not be enough to cover all your damages.
• Uninsured/Underinsured – California requires insurers to offer uninsured (UMC) and underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage equal to your policy’s liability limits. Policyholders who reject this coverage could end up with little or no compensation if the at-fault driver is underinsured.
• Multiple Claimants – When multiple people are injured in the same crash, the at-fault driver’s per-accident insurance limits may not be enough to pay everyone.
• Punitive Damages: California only allows punitive damage awards when the at-fault party is proven to be guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice.

Minor Injury Case Examples

Minor rear-end accident cases commonly involve soft-tissue injuries like mild sprains or strains. The person may miss a few days of work and should be fully recovered in a few weeks.

Small Award for Low-Impact Rear-End Collision

Type of Injury: Whiplash injury to the neck
Award/Settlement Amount: $2,500
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in an automobile stopped at a traffic light. While stopped, Plaintiff’s vehicle was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by Defendant. Liability was admitted and the case proceeded on issue of damages. Plaintiff alleged that the force of the impact caused her to suffer a severe whiplash injury to the neck, resulting in a 9% permanent partial disability. Defendant contended that this was a minor impact with no more than a scratch to plaintiff’s vehicle and plaintiff’s injuries could not have been caused by this accident. Jury awarded $2,500 to plaintiff.
Location: Los Angeles County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Begando v. Peterson, YC 041 783

Plaintiff Shared Fault for Rear-End Accident

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $2,898
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving northbound. She stopped her vehicle at a red light at an intersection. Defendant, driving his pickup northbound, rear-ended plaintiff’s stopped vehicle. Plaintiff said she slowed, and then stopped, as the light turned from yellow to red. Her counsel introduced a witness, who confirmed plaintiff’s version of the event. Defendant argued that the plaintiff cut in front of him and then abruptly stopped at the red light. Plaintiff claimed soft tissue neck and back injuries for which she was treated by a chiropractor for nine weeks. Defendant’s expert witness testified that plaintiff may have suffered a mild sprain/strain injury, but treatment beyond a few days was unreasonable. Jury returned a verdict for plaintiff $4,831 gross, reduced to $2,898 net based on a finding of 40% comparative negligence.
Location: Contra Costa County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Mangalindan v. Barker, CIV 501 2166

Rear-End Accident Exacerbates Prior Injuries

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries; an exacerbation of preexisting underlying neck and back condition
Award/Settlement Amount: $3,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving her vehicle on a dark, rainy evening. Her vehicle was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by Defendant after plaintiff stopped at a stop sign. Plaintiff claimed soft tissue neck and back injuries and an exacerbation of preexisting underlying neck and back condition associated with prior accidents. Defendant admitted liability for the accident, but contended the minor accident did not cause plaintiff’s injuries. He argued that plaintiff may have suffered an aggravation of her pre existing injuries for a short period of time, but she did not sustain new injuries due to this accident. The jury returned a $3,000 verdict for plaintiff.
Location: Orange County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Pierce v. Lana Thi Gray, 30-2015-00783934

Defendant in Rear-End Case Disputes Plaintiff’s Injuries

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $5,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was operating her vehicle east. At an intersection controlled by a traffic light, Defendant1 made a right turn from a red light in front of plaintiff’s oncoming vehicle. Plaintiff swerved to avoid a collision with Defendant1 and then came to a stop. However, plaintiff was rear-ended by Defendant 2. Plaintiff claimed soft tissue neck and back injuries which resolved. She also claimed medical expenses of $3,830 and approximately $1,500 for four weeks of lost wages. Defendants blamed each other for causing the accident. There was also a dispute regarding the nature and extent of plaintiff’s injuries. Jury returned a verdict plaintiff in the amount of $5,000.
Location: Los Angeles County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Farahmand v. Ward II, BC523509

Two Defendants Liable for Rear-End Collision

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $6,446
Case Summary: Plaintiff was operating a vehicle with her sister as a passenger. Plaintiff activated her left turn signal and came to a stop waiting for traffic to clear so she could execute the turn. Defendant, who was operating a vehicle on the same street and in the same direction as the plaintiffs, failed to stop and rear-ended plaintiffs’ car. Plaintiffs’ vehicle sustained moderate property damage. Defendant was operating a vehicle owned by her father at the time of the collision. Defendants admitted liability. Plaintiffs alleged that they sustained soft tissue neck and back injuries as a result of this accident. Defendants disputed the plaintiffs’ injuries. A jury deliberated for 2.5 hours before returning a $12,892 verdict in favor of plaintiffs against both defendants.
Location: Sacramento County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Toro v. Franco, 34-2010-00069054

Plaintiff Settles Rear-End Parking Spot Case

Type of Injury: Soft tissue injuries-neck and back strain, headaches, and bilateral shoulder pain
Award/Settlement Amount: $6,500
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving a truck while making deliveries for his employer. As Plaintiff was backing into the parking space, Defendant hit the rear of the delivery truck. Plaintiff claimed defendant was talking on a cell phone and failed to watch the traffic. Defendant argued she was in the curb lane intending to make a right turn when she noticed Plaintiff begin to back up. She attempted to alert him with her horn, but there was no response. He backed into her vehicle, which was in a parked position. Plaintiff claimed neck and back strain, headaches, and bilateral shoulder pain. The case settled for $6,500 prior to trial.
Location: San Diego County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Taila v. Rivera, EC 17155

Commercial Truck Driver Liable for Rear-End Accident

Type of Injury: Neck injury-Bulging disc at C5-C6
Award/Settlement Amount: $6,700
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving her car in heavy stop-and-go traffic. When she stopped, her car was rear-ended by a commercial truck driven by Defendant. Defendant admitted he was inattentive and struck the rear of plaintiff’s vehicle. The case proceeded to trial on the issues of proximate cause and damages. Plaintiff was initially diagnosed with a cervical disc bulge at C5-C6, but was diagnosed via MRI with a broad based disc herniation. She claimed she was asymptomatic before the accident, having recovered from a prior auto-related neck injury. Her treating physicians testified to the causal connection between the accident and plaintiff’s injury. Defendant argued that plaintiff’s claim for herniated discs was both degenerative in nature and related to the prior accident rather than this accident. The jury awarded plaintiff $6,700.
Location: San Francisco County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Louie v. Cong Le, CGC-09-488895

Rear-End Crash Blamed on Snowstorm

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $10,840
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving during a snowstorm. He noticed an abandoned vehicle partially in the right lane ahead of him. He attempted to change lanes to avoid the disabled vehicle and was hit from behind by a car driven by Defendant. The impact caused plaintiff’s car to spin out of control and come to rest against a guardrail. Plaintiff claimed to have sustained soft tissue neck and back injuries as a direct result of this accident. Defendant contended plaintiff unexpectedly moved into his lane of travel and created a sudden emergency such that he could not avoid a collision. Defendant testified he was driving 35 mph and was unable to see in front of him because of the snowstorm. A jury awarded plaintiff $10,840.
Location: San Francisco County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Marks v. Cortez, CGC-09-484399

Plaintiff Award for Contested Rear-End Crash

Type of Injury: Soft tissue injury to neck, shoulder and lower back; an aggravation of a previous neck condition
Award/Settlement Amount: $12,143
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his 80 year old mother. Their vehicle was stopped at a stop sign when it was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by Defendant. Defendant admitted liability. Plaintiff alleged that he sustained soft tissue injury to neck, shoulder and lower back as well as an aggravation of a previous neck condition as a direct result of this accident. Defendant claimed that this was a minor accident and plaintiff’s driver was comparatively negligent in stopping abruptly. Defendant also argued that plaintiff’s complaints preexisted this accident and disputed the nature and extent of the alleged injury. Jury awarded $12,143 to plaintiff.
Location: Los Angeles County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Lough v. Weinstein, OOC01655

Rear-End Collision in Heavy Traffic

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries; aggravation of pre-existing cervical and lumbar disc injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $14,335
Case Summary: Plaintiff came to a stop in heavy traffic near police station and his vehicle was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by defendant. The two drivers drove into the parking lot of the police station to exchange information and file a police report. Plaintiff claimed new soft tissue neck and back injuries as a result of the accident. Defendant admitted liability for causing this minor accident, but disputed injury causation and damages. Plaintiff sought orthopedic and chiropractic treatment and underwent a diagnostic MRI. He was diagnosed with aggravation of pre-existing cervical and lumbar disc injuries. Defendant contended that this minor accident could not have caused any serious injuries. Defendant maintained that plaintiff had extensive pre-existing problems from a prior accident. The jury awarded $14,335 to plaintiff.
Location: San Francisco County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Mui v. Chen, CGC-13-534846

Moderate Injury Case Examples

Moderate rear-end crash injuries include more extensive soft-tissue injuries, like whiplash, simple fractures, bulging or herniated discs, and mild to moderate brain concussions. There could be lingering effects and partial permanent disability. Victims with physically demanding jobs may be out of work for months.

Parties Negotiate Rear-End Accident Settlement

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries; shoulder injury- mild supraspinatus tendinosis
Award/Settlement Amount: $15,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff stopped for a red light at an intersection. He was rear-ended by a vehicle operated by defendant. Plaintiff claimed that defendant was driving too fast for the street in question, and failed to slow and stop her vehicle in time to avoid the collision. Defendant admitted liability. Plaintiff went to the hospital the day after the accident, with complaints of pain in his neck, back and right, dominant shoulder. His neck and back injuries were of the soft-tissue variety, and he underwent a shoulder MRI that revealed mild supraspinatus tendinosis. Defendant claimed that plaintiff was involved in a prior motor vehicle accident, and that his orthopedic injuries were pre existing and degenerative in nature. The parties negotiated a settlement for $15,000.
Location: Contra Costa County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Shipp v. Toole, CIVMSC10-00099

Partial Permanent Impairment from Rear-End Collision

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $20,000
Case Summary: The plaintiff came to a stop and was rear-ended by defendant’s vehicle. Plaintiff alleged that she sustained soft tissue neck and back injuries as a result of the collision. Plaintiff’s expert reported that plaintiff sustained a 10% permanent impairment of the lumbar spine. Defendant admitted liability and did not appear for trial. However, his attorney argued that plaintiff was not injured to the extent she claimed and disputed the value of plaintiff’s damages. Jury awarded plaintiff $15,000 for pain and suffering and $5,000 for past medicals.
Location: Orange County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Clement v. Philippsen, 30-2012-00616828-CU-PA-CJC

Rear-End Injury Award Impacted by Crash History

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck injury resulting in headaches
Award/Settlement Amount: $35,133
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a front-seat passenger in a vehicle driven by defendant. Defendant rear-ended another vehicle, causing plaintiff to strike her head on the windshield. Liability was admitted and the case proceeded on the issue of damages only. Plaintiff alleged that she suffered a permanent soft tissue injury of the neck resulting in headaches as a direct result of this accident. Defendant contended that plaintiff was not injured to the extent she claimed, arguing that any permanency was the result of two subsequent motor vehicle accidents in which she was involved. Jury awarded plaintiff $35,133. Per plaintiff’s counsel, evidence that plaintiff had two other lawsuits pending resulting from other motor vehicle accidents may have had an impact on the outcome.
Location: San Diego County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Maggio v. Gregory, 37-2015-00037416-CU-PA-CTL

Alleged Meth User Liable for Rear-End Collision

Type of Injury: Head injury-two-to-three-inch laceration to the back of his head; neck and back pain; and brain damage, resulting in blurred vision, dizziness, difficulty sleeping and headaches
Award/Settlement Amount: $37,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff, 25, who was driving a utility truck, stopped for traffic and was rear-ended by a car driven by defendant. The force of the impact propelled plaintiff’s vehicle forward into the vehicle in front of him. Plaintiff struck his head on the rear window and the edge of a toolbox. He sustained a two-to-three-inch laceration to the back of his head; neck and back pain; and brain damage, resulting in blurred vision, dizziness, difficulty sleeping and headaches. Plaintiff claimed that he could not work after the accident, and that he was terminated as a result. The defendant admitted liability, but argued that methamphetamine use caused most of plaintiff’s problems. The parties settled for $37,000.
Location: San Bernardino County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Bromage v. Schwalm, CIVVS702220

Defendant Denies Liability for Rear-End Crash Injuries

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $37,815
Case Summary: Plaintiff slowed to make a left turn and was rear-ended by defendant. Plaintiff claimed that she sustained soft tissue neck and back injuries as a direct result of this accident. Defendant denied liability for the accident. She asserted that plaintiff failed to use a turn signal and came to a sudden stop. Defendant also disputed the amount of damages claimed by plaintiff. Defendant conceded liability during the trial but continued to dispute the value of the plaintiff’s claim. The jury awarded plaintiff $37,815.
Location: San Francisco County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Escobar v. Lee, CGC-12-524940

Award for Rear-End Crash Victim with Partial Disability

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck injury; Back injury-two herniated discs
Award/Settlement Amount: $38,522
Case Summary: Plaintiff came to a stop and her car was rear-ended by defendant’s vehicle. Plaintiff claimed she sustained a soft tissue neck injury and two herniated discs in her back as a direct result of this accident. She treated with a physical therapist for about one year post-accident and claimed a 10% permanent disability. She claimed $10,705 in past medical bills. Defendant admitted liability, but contended that plaintiff was not injured to the extent she claimed. Jury awarded $38,522 to plaintiff.
Location: San Francisco County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Edwards v. McPeters, CGC-08-476232

Victim of Chain Rear-End Collision Settles Injury Claims

Type of Injury: Back injury-aggravation of pre-existing degenerative disc disease
Award/Settlement Amount: $44,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff stopped his car as a result of traffic. A medium-sized truck owned by Defendant rear-ended a jeep that was behind plaintiff’s vehicle. The force of the impact propelled the jeep forward so that it rear-ended plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff claimed that the accident aggravated his pre-existing degenerative disc disease, which he had sustained as a result of judo and motor vehicle accidents. Prior to the subject accident, he received several nerve blocks and epidural injections. After the subject accident, he underwent an MRI, which showed no significant changes. He continued receiving nerve blocks and epidural injections after the accident. Defendant denied liability and argued that plaintiff’s injuries were pre-existing. The parties settled for $44,000.
Location: Los Angeles County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Seck v. American Moving Parts, SC097053

Driver Admits Fault for Rear-End Crash, Disputes Victim’s Injuries

Type of Injury: Neck and back injuries-unspecified disc protrusions
Award/Settlement Amount: $57,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was stopped at an intersection. Defendant failed to stop behind him, resulting in a rear end collision. Plaintiff claimed he sustained cervical and lumbar disc protrusions as a result of this accident. Defendant conceded liability but claimed that plaintiff’s injuries were not a result of the incident in question but, either degenerative changes and/or caused by a subsequent motor vehicle accident. The jury returned a $57,000 verdict in favor of plaintiff.
Location: Los Angeles County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Villalobos v. Aranda, MC023611

Treatment Delay After Rear-End Fender Bender

Type of Injury: Back injury-Lumbar disc herniation resulting in pain in leg
Award/Settlement Amount: $75,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was stopped at a red light when his vehicle was tapped from behind by another vehicle. Defendant told the investigating officer at the scene that her foot had slipped off the brake after she had come to a stop and that she rolled into plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff did not receive any medical treatment until several months later, when he presented to his physician with complaints of leg pain. He sought additional treatment when the pain was unrelenting and progressed to his lower back. Approximately six months after the accident, plaintiff was diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation. He claimed his leg and back pain were the result of pressure caused by the herniation. Defendant contended that the force of the impact was insufficient to have resulted in the claimed injuries. Jury awarded $75,000 to plaintiff.
Location: Los Angeles County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Fernandez v. Perez, BC596045

Defendant Blames Rear-End Crash on Stopped Traffic

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries.
Award/Settlement Amount: $90,277
Case Summary: While stopped for traffic, Plaintiff was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by Defendant. Defendant admitted he struck plaintiff’s vehicle in the rear. Plaintiff alleged that defendant had sufficient time to stop before striking his vehicle, despite the curving nature of the road. Plaintiff claimed he suffered neck and back soft tissue injuries as a direct result of the accident. He asserted that his cervical injury resolved, but he had extended low back problems. Defendant contended he was faced with a sudden emergency as traffic had stopped around a curved and hilly section of the road and he had no time to stop. Defendant argued that plaintiff presented no traditional objective evidence of injury. Jury awarded plaintiff $90,277, primarily for his medicals.
Location: Riverside County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Grover v. Olivo, RIC1119786

Severe Injury Case Examples

Severe car accident victims often suffer multiple serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, disc herniations, complicated fractures, internal injuries, and spinal cord damage. Victims may require surgery, extended hospitalization, and rehabilitation services.

Defendant Blames Foot Cramp for Rear-End Crash

Type of Injury: Neck injury-herniated cervical discs requiring a three level disc fusion surgery
Award/Settlement Amount: $956,633
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle. Plaintiff’s vehicle came to a stop to make a left turn. At the same time, defendant suffered a cramp in her right foot and removed her shoe. As a result, she was unable to press her brake pedal properly and rear-ended plaintiff’s host vehicle. Plaintiff suffered herniated cervical discs requiring a three level disc fusion surgery. Following surgery, plaintiff had less mobility in her neck. Plaintiff admitted to having a pre existing neck problem, but claimed it was asymptomatic before the collision. Defendant did not admit liability and contested damages. Defendant contended that plaintiff’s pre existing neck condition caused part of her neck pain. Plaintiff was awarded $956,633 by a jury.
Location: Los Angeles County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Moran v. Share, BC566116

Rear-End Collision Victim Sues for Underinsured Coverage

Type of Injury: Neck injury resulting in cervical disc replacement surgery
Award/Settlement Amount: $1,005,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving when she was rear-ended in heavy traffic by an underinsured motorist. The motorist ultimately agreed to tender his policy limits. Plaintiff then sought further recovery via the supplementary-underinsured-motorist provision of her own insurance policy, which was administered by Defendant. Plaintiff claimed she sustained cervical injuries. She initially underwent conservative treatment, which provided minor relief. She was advised she was a candidate for cervical disc replacement surgery, but opted to first undergo an epidural injection. She claimed the epidural injection failed to resolve her neck complaints, and she subsequently decided to proceed with surgery. Defendant disputed the nature and extent of plaintiff’s injuries and treatment. The matter settled for the $1 million underinsured-motorist policy limit, plus $5,000 in medical payment benefits.
Location: Los Angeles County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Betz v. Arch Insurance Company, ARLC-1427A2

Mediation Award to Rear-End Collision Victim

Type of Injury: Back and neck injuries- aggravation of preexisting cervical and lumbar conditions
Award/Settlement Amount: $1,083,902
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in her husband’s vehicle. The vehicle was struck from behind by Defendant’s car while traveling in a stop-and-go traffic. Plaintiff sought immediate medical attention for aggravation of preexisting cervical and lumbar conditions. She ultimately underwent two surgeries for repair of cervical and lumbar vertebrae. Plaintiff maintained that the exacerbation and subsequent surgeries were the result of the rear-impact collision. Defendant admitted liability, but disputed the proximate cause of plaintiff’s personal injuries. Defense experts concluded that plaintiff’s injuries predated the accident and the surgeries were due to degenerative changes, not the motor vehicle collision. The parties settled for $1,083,902 at the conclusion of a one day mediation.
Location: San Bernardino County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Perez v. Ilies, CIVDS1602356

Drunk Driver Caused Multi-Vehicle Rear-End Collision

Type of Injury: Back injury-herniated lumbar disc at the L5-S1 level
Award/Settlement Amount: $2,860,914
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle when it was involved in a multi-vehicle, rear-end collision. The crash occurred when an intoxicated driver, defendant 1, while within the scope of his employment with defendant 2, struck the vehicle in front of him, resulting in the collision of multiple vehicles, including the lead vehicle, which contained plaintiff. Defendant1 admitted liability and admitted that his negligence caused harm to plaintiff. Plaintiff claimed he sustained a herniated lumbar disc at the L5-S1 level. Plaintiff ultimately underwent two surgeries, including a discectomy and a one level fusion two months prior to trial. Defendants’ orthopedic surgery expert saw plaintiff during an independent medical exam and opined that there was no evidence of trauma from the motor vehicle incident with defendant. The jury determined that plaintiff’s damages totaled $2,860,914.
Location: Sacramento County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Record v. Reese, 34-2013-00147667

Award to Rear-End Victim for Severe Impairments, Lost Wages

Type of Injury: Ribs injury-eight fractured ribs; others-two punctured lungs, mild ulnar neuropathy of right arm above the elbow and soft tissue injury to back
Award/Settlement Amount: $5,750,000
Case Summary: Eight fractured ribs, two punctured lungs, mild ulnar neuropathy of right arm above the elbow and soft tissue injury to back. Plaintiff was hospitalized for 6 days with bilateral chest tubes inserted for 2 or 3 days. He continued to have discomfort in his arm when raising it above shoulder level. He was assessed with a 10% impairment of the right arm and a 25% impairment of the back. Plaintiff claimed $20,000 in past medicals and lost wages of $250,000 to $500,000.
Location: Alameda County, California
Case Name and Docket Number: Ringseth v. Lea , RG18895260

Methodology

We collected and analyzed a group of real California injury lawsuits arising from rear-end collisions. Each plaintiff received a payoff from a jury award, arbitration agreement, or out-of-court settlement. This case group does not include wrongful death claims, or cases that were lost at trial.

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

The final Award/Settlement Amount reflects any reductions made for shared fault. In cases with more than one plaintiff, the amount is the highest award made to a single plaintiff.