Dallas County Jury Finds Negligence in Rear-End Collision, Awards $30,470.72
One driver stopped at a red light when the car behind her rear-ended it, pushing it into her vehicle. The injured driver claimed neck, shoulder, arm, and chest pain. She sought damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The defense argued the injuries were minor and soft-tissue related.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Neck Injury (Whiplash) Injuries
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by rapid back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly occurring in rear-end collisions. Despite being frequently dismissed, whiplash can cause significant pain and disability.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $25,242
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $25,242 is above the median of $9,367 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $3,100 to $25,000, based on 590 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On September 24, 2013, a multi-vehicle rear-end collision occurred in Dallas County. The plaintiff, a salon receptionist, had stopped at a red light when the defendant's vehicle struck another car, which then rear-ended the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging the defendant's negligence, citing failures to maintain a proper lookout, control speed, avoid following too closely, and brake or turn in time to prevent the collision.
The plaintiff claimed multiple injuries, including neck, left shoulder and arm, left elbow (with swelling, edema, and tendon strains), left knee, and left-sided chest pain, leading to an emergency room visit and chiropractic treatment. The plaintiff sought compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and physical pain and impairment. The defense contended that the collision's impact was minor, resulting in minimal vehicle damage and only minor, soft-tissue injuries, arguing that only the initial emergency room visit was medically necessary due to the accident.
The court granted the plaintiff a directed verdict on liability, finding the defendant responsible for the collision. Following this, a jury awarded the plaintiff $25,242.45 in damages. Including prejudgment interest and taxable costs, the final judgment totaled $30,470.72.
Understanding This Case
- Most whiplash injuries improve within 2-3 months. However, about 25% of patients experience chronic symptoms lasting over a year, significantly impacting quality of life.
- 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 2017, 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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