Woman left in pain settles suit against driver who rear-ended her

Summary:

• Plaintiff awarded $155,000 settlement after rear-end collision
• Crash caused head, brain, neck, and spine injuries
• Victim continues to suffer headaches and reduced productivity

A woman’s life was altered forever when a driver rear-ended her vehicle, sandwiching her between the defendant driver and the car in front of her. Her attorney achieved a $155,000 settlement on her behalf.

Laurie Del Percio of the Horn Law Firm in Independence represented plaintiff Victoria Starnes in her suit against Kent Winship.

The crash occurred in 2025 when Starnes, who Del Percio referred to as a “restrained driver,” was travelling on Highway 291. At the same time, Winship was driving behind Starnes when suddenly and without warning, he struck the rear of her vehicle.

“The force of impact was so severe that Ms. Starnes’ vehicle was propelled into the vehicle in front of her,” Del Percio said. “Immediately following the collision, an ambulance arrived on the scene. Ms. Starnes was confused, lethargic and unable to report to the paramedics what had happened. She was transported to the emergency department.”

At the hospital, Starnes complained of pain to her head, chest, abdomen and pelvis, Del Percio said. She reported that she had been confused since the collision. Precautionary CT scans were taken of her head, cervical spine, chest and abdomen/pelvis.

She was discharged with a prescription and told to follow up with her doctor, which she did. She sought chiropractic care before she was “released as having reached maximum medical improvement with a guarded prognosis and instructed to continue the home exercises,” Del Percio said.

Starnes’ injuries and the pain they caused made it difficult to perform her work, household and family responsibilities, Del Percio said.

“She was a very compliant patient. She attended all of her chiropractic treatment as directed and she found the chiropractic treatment was helpful,” Del Percio said. “So, she has generally made a good recovery.”

She still suffers from headaches and has to frequently rest after the injuries to her head, Del Percio said. Starnes’ productivity has also gone down as she has to complete activities around the house in small bursts.

Del Percio obtained a $155,000 settlement for her client with $102,536.91 past medical billed and $53,452.12 past medical written off.

No attorney was listed for the defendant.

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Amount of verdict, judgment or settlement: $155,000

Type of action: Motor vehicle collision

Venue: Jackson County Circuit Court at Independence

Case Number/Date: Not filed/03/03/2026

Injuries: Head, brain, neck, back, spine

Special Damages: $102,536.91 past medical (billed)
$53,452.12 past medical (written off)

Caption: N/A

Plaintiffs’ Attorneys: Laurie Del Percio of the Horn Law Firm in Independence

Defendants’ Attorneys: None