Dallas County Motor Vehicle Crash Settles for $25,000
One driver was stopped or braking when the other driver changed lanes and struck the rear of the first vehicle. The injured driver claimed neck, shoulder, arm, and hand injuries. The second driver admitted to being distracted by a phone map at the time of the collision. The case involved disputes over the extent of injuries and the value of the damaged vehicle.
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
- Settlement
- Amount
- $25,000
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This settlement of $25,000 is near the median of $15,103 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $6,150 to $50,000, based on 95 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On December 27, 2012, a collision occurred on North Central Expressway in Dallas, Texas, when the plaintiff's 1996 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am convertible was struck from behind by a 2005 Nissan Altima. The defendant driver, then a minor, was traveling 65-70 mph and attempted a lane change while reportedly distracted by a phone map. The plaintiff claimed neck, shoulder, arm, and hand injuries and was diagnosed with a cervical strain. Emergency responders extricated the plaintiff from his totaled vehicle.
The plaintiff sued the defendant driver for negligence, alleging failure to maintain a proper lookout, control speed, and safely change lanes. He also asserted a claim for gross negligence, citing the defendant's distraction by a mobile phone. The defendant driver stipulated to negligence but disputed gross negligence, arguing that her conduct did not meet the higher standard. The defense also challenged the extent of the plaintiff's claimed bodily injuries due to a lack of follow-up treatment after an emergency room visit. Additionally, the defense contested the plaintiff's claim for lost wages, noting tax returns showed increased income post-accident and a lack of medical documentation. Regarding the totaled vehicle, the plaintiff sought $20,000, arguing it held a high value, while the defense presented an expert who opined its market value was $9,449.
A Dallas County jury awarded the plaintiff $20,000 in actual damages. The jury also found by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant driver was grossly negligent. Instead of proceeding to a punitive damages phase, the parties settled the case for a total of $25,000.
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 was resolved through a settlement, avoiding the uncertainty and expense of a trial. Settlements typically resolve faster and provide guaranteed compensation.
- 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 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 is within expected ranges
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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