El Paso County Jury Awards $273,818.80 in Truck Unsecured Load Accident
One driver's vehicle was struck by an unsecured load that fell from a truck. The injured person sued both drivers, alleging negligence. The jury found one driver not negligent but the other driver partially at fault. The injured person was also found partially at fault.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Back Strain / Soft Tissue Injuries
Back strain and soft tissue injuries are among the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. These injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back, often resulting from the sudden impact forces experienced during a collision.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $273,818
- County
- El Paso County, CO
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Economic Injury, Emotional Or Mental Injury, Physical Injury
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $273,818 is above the median of $13,980 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $5,649 to $30,000, based on 1000 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A motor vehicle accident occurred on August 30, 2014, in Colorado when an allegedly unsecured load from a truck fell onto a highway, involving two other vehicles. The plaintiff, a driver in the incident, subsequently filed a lawsuit in El Paso County District Court against the driver of the truck with the unsecured load and another driver. The plaintiff alleged negligent driving by one defendant and an improperly secured load by the other, seeking damages for bodily injury, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost earnings.
The defendants responded, with one asserting the plaintiff's comparative negligence and the other claiming a failure to mitigate damages. A jury found the first defendant not negligent, but determined the second defendant was 60% at fault and the plaintiff 40% comparatively negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $150,000.
After the verdict, the plaintiff filed a motion to increase damages based on a stipulation. The court granted the motion, entering an adjusted award of $273,818.80, which included interest and accounted for the plaintiff's comparative negligence.
Understanding This Case
- The majority of soft tissue injuries resolve within 6-12 weeks with proper treatment. However, approximately 10-20% of cases may develop into chronic conditions requiring ongoing care.
- This case went to trial and resulted in a jury verdict. Verdicts can yield higher awards but carry the risk of receiving nothing if the jury rules against the plaintiff.
- This case was resolved in El Paso County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2016, this case reflects the legal and economic conditions of that period, including medical costs, insurance practices, and jury award trends at the time.
VerdictlyTM Score
This outcome significantly deviates from similar cases
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
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