Dallas County Jury Awards $204,235 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped at a red light when another driver rear-ended them. The passenger in the stopped vehicle claimed neck and back injuries. The court granted a directed verdict for the passenger on liability. The passenger sought damages for past and future medical expenses, pain, and impairment. The jury awarded the passenger $204,235.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Lumbar Disc Injury Injuries
Lumbar disc injuries affect the lower back (L1-L5 and S1), which bears significant body weight and is particularly vulnerable to trauma. These injuries can cause debilitating pain and functional limitations.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $204,235
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $204,235 is near the median of $58,750 for lumbar disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $20,000 to $220,000, based on 405 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In May 2016, a plaintiff passenger sustained neck and back injuries when the vehicle in which she was riding was rear-ended while stopped at a red light in Dallas County. The plaintiff sued the defendant driver, alleging negligent operation. Before trial, the defendant settled with the driver of the plaintiff's vehicle for an undisclosed sum. The court granted the plaintiff's motion for a directed verdict on liability, establishing the defendant's responsibility for the collision.
The plaintiff claimed herniated discs at multiple spinal levels, undergoing chiropractic care and physical therapy. A life care planning expert estimated future medical care for the plaintiff between $88,000 and $141,000. The defendant disputed injury causation and extent, noting minimal vehicle damage and a 3.5-year gap in treatment. The defense also presented a treating chiropractor's lower initial projection for future care.
Following a two-day trial, a Dallas County jury deliberated for 3.5 hours and returned a 5-1 verdict, awarding the plaintiff $204,235. The award included $16,235 for past medical expenses, $88,000 for future medical expenses, $6,000 for past physical impairment, $44,000 for future physical impairment, $6,000 for past physical pain, and $44,000 for future physical pain.
Understanding This Case
- About 90% of lumbar disc herniations improve with conservative treatment. However, those requiring surgery may face permanent work restrictions and ongoing pain management needs.
- 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 Dallas County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2019, 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 differs from typical similar cases
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