It is a common myth that a car accident with minimal property damage cannot cause serious harm. This case proves otherwise. Our client was patiently stopped at a red light in her SUV when she was suddenly rear-ended by a truck. While the impact occurred at a low speed and resulted in what appeared to be minor vehicle damage, the collision had a devastating effect on her health.
The force of the impact caused a serious aggravation of a pre-existing herniated disc, a condition that was previously manageable. The new, intense pain and debilitation ultimately required her to undergo extensive spinal surgery. This life-changing injury left her unable to return to her job and facing a future of chronic pain and uncertainty.
The defense attorney and the insurance company fought the claim aggressively. They argued the low-impact nature of the crash could not have caused such a severe injury, attempting to disconnect her need for surgery from the collision itself. Our firm meticulously built a case to prove causation. We worked with medical experts to demonstrate precisely how the mechanics of the crash exacerbated her underlying condition, transforming it into a disabling impairment.
We presented this compelling evidence to a Michigan jury, who rejected the defense’s arguments. The jury understood that the severity of an injury is not always reflected in the size of the dent on a bumper. They awarded our client a $1.6 million verdict to compensate her for her immense pain and suffering and significant excess economic losses. This result underscores our commitment to fighting for clients whose injuries are wrongly dismissed by insurance carriers.