On Aug. 26, 2014, plaintiff Mikael Soukhoundian, 21, a dispatcher for a trucking company, was driving on Interstate 5, in Commerce, with his girlfriend, plaintiff Peeyoneh Sinani, 21, a receptionist and clerical worker, as a passenger in the compact car. As they slowed for traffic congestion, their car was rear-ended by a rental van driven by Georgios Nassos. Soukhoundian and Sinani both claimed neck and back . Soukhoundian and Sinani sued Nassos and the person who rented the van, Frank Lepore. Soukhoundian and Sinani alleged that Nassos was negligent in the operation of the rental vehicle and that Lepore was vicariously liable for allowing Nassos to drive the vehicle. Lepore was dismissed from the case during trial. Nassos conceded negligence, and the trial solely addressed causation and damages., Soukhoundian and Sinani did not go to a hospital following the accident, and they each first sought treatment with a chiropractor one week after the crash. Soukhoundian claimed that he had neck pain that radiated into his arms. He also complained of lower back pain. He was diagnosed with a soft tissue sprain/strain of his lumbar spine and an aggravation of degenerative cervical disc protrusions. Soukhoundian received chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, and pain management care through May 2015. During that time, he received three epidural steroid injections to his cervical spine. His medical bills totaled $72,151.69. Soukhoundian claimed that his affected his everyday work and recreation activities. He also claimed that he was limited in how much he could lift. Soukhoundian sought recovery of past medical expenses and damages for his past and future pain and suffering. Sinani complained of headaches and neck pain following the crash. She also complained of lower back pain that radiated into her right leg. She was diagnosed with soft tissue to her neck and an aggravation of degenerative lumbar disc disease at the L4-5 and L5-S1 levels. Sinani received chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, and pain management care through May 2015. During that time, she received three epidural steroid injections to her lumbar spine. Her medical bills totaled $66,801.57. Sinani claimed that her affected her everyday work and recreation activities. She also claimed that she was limited in how much she could lift. Sinani sought recovery of past medical expenses and damages for her past and future pain and suffering. The defense’s accident reconstruction expert opined that the rear-end collision was minor. The defense’s neurosurgery and radiology experts both opined that the plaintiffs’ epidural steroid injections were not medically necessary. They specifically opined that there were no clinical findings on the plaintiffs’ medical exams that would support the need for the injections received.