Bryan/College Station Jury Awards $2,350 in Rear-End Collision

On August 24, 2014, a rear-end collision occurred on Texas Avenue in Bryan/College Station, Texas. The plaintiffs, a married couple, were in their vehicle stopped in a line of traffic when it was struck from behind by a pickup truck driven by the defendant. The impact propelled the plaintiffs' vehicle into the car ahead of them. The plaintiffs subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant was negligent by failing to maintain a proper lookout, control speed, follow at a safe distance, and brake or turn to avoid the collision. They also claimed gross negligence, asserting the defendant was using a cell phone at the time of the incident.

The plaintiffs claimed they were stopped at a traffic light that had just turned green when the accident occurred. They reported sustaining neck and back sprains and strains and sought damages for past medical bills, lost earnings, and physical pain, mental anguish, and impairment. The defendant contended that traffic had begun moving at 10 to 15 mph after the light changed when a driver ahead suddenly braked, causing others to brake. The defendant stated he misjudged the distance to the plaintiffs' vehicle and denied gross negligence, arguing his cell phone use was not a distracting factor. The defense also questioned the consistency of one plaintiff's testimony regarding the accident sequence and challenged the causation and severity of the claimed injuries, citing treatment gaps.

The case proceeded to trial, where the jury deliberated for two hours. The jury determined the defendant was negligent but did not find evidence of gross negligence. The court awarded the plaintiffs a total of $2,350. The outcome suggested the jury concluded the defendant acted negligently in causing the collision but rejected the more severe claim of gross negligence. The awarded amount indicated the jury likely assessed the plaintiffs' injury claims to be less extensive than asserted, potentially influenced by the defense's arguments regarding the extent and duration of their injuries.