Bexar County Jury Awards $10,000 in Rear-End Collision

In December 2015, a vehicle carrying two adult passengers and driven by a minor suddenly stopped on Interstate 10 in Bexar County. A trailing cattle-hauling truck struck the vehicle, propelling it into a preceding car. The two adult passengers, a production technician and a real estate agent, later claimed back and neck injuries, including herniated discs.

The injured passengers, along with the minor driver, sued the truck driver and the truck's owner, alleging negligent operation, negligent entrustment, and negligent hiring or training. Claims of gross negligence and negligence per se were dismissed, and the minor driver was later dropped from the case. The truck driver testified that traffic came to an abrupt stop, causing him to strike the plaintiffs' vehicle while accelerating.

The plaintiffs underwent extensive treatment, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, and epidural steroid injections. Orthopedists recommended spinal surgeries for both plaintiffs. The production technician claimed herniations at C3-4 and L5-S1, with an estimated surgery cost of $49,000, while the real estate agent claimed herniations at C3-4 and L4-5, with an estimated surgery cost of $23,500. They sought compensation for past and future medical care, pain, and impairment.

After a two-day trial and 35 hours of deliberation, the jury found the defendants liable for the collision. However, the jury awarded a total of $10,000 in damages, with each plaintiff receiving $2,500 for past pain and suffering and $2,500 for future pain and suffering. The award was significantly less than the plaintiffs' claimed medical costs and pain and suffering, suggesting the jury may have disputed the full extent or causation of the alleged injuries.