Dallas Jury Awards $4,895 in Texas Rear-End Collision
One driver was traveling westbound when another driver, who was unlicensed, struck their vehicle from behind. The collision caused injuries to the occupants of the first vehicle, including neck, back, head, and chest injuries. The defense argued that some treatments were not necessary and that existing conditions were aggravated. The jury awarded damages for past medical expenses.
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
- $4,895
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $4,895 is near 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 March 8, 2015, a motor vehicle collision occurred in Dallas, Texas, when a vehicle operated by an unlicensed defendant struck the rear of a car carrying a plaintiff driver and two plaintiff passengers. The plaintiffs filed suit, alleging the defendant's negligence for failing to control her speed and negligence per se due to her unlicensed status. They sought damages for various bodily injuries, property damage, and loss of earning capacity, claiming the driver sustained a mild traumatic brain injury and disc displacement, while passengers suffered conditions including herniated discs, shoulder tearing, and post-traumatic headaches.
The defendant disputed the extent and causation of the plaintiffs' alleged injuries, arguing that not all treatments were necessary or reasonable, and that some alleged injuries were pre-existing or merely soft tissue strains. For instance, the defense contended that one passenger's shoulder and back issues predated the accident.
A jury subsequently awarded the plaintiffs a total of $4,895. This amount covered past medical expenses: $800 for the plaintiff driver, $1,000 for the back-seat passenger, and $3,095 for the front-seat passenger. The verdict, which focused solely on a portion of past medical expenses, suggested the jury largely accepted the defense's arguments regarding the limited scope and causation of the plaintiffs' injuries.
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 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 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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