Dallas Jury Awards $6,313 After Negligence in Rear-End Crash
One driver stopped in traffic and was rear-ended by the other driver. The driver who was rear-ended claimed neck and back injuries. The driver who caused the accident denied any impact and claimed the other driver's vehicle was stopped with doors open. The jury found the defendant negligent.
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
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $6,313
- 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 verdict-plaintiff of $6,313 is near the median of $13,021 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $5,408 to $31,445, based on 800 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On November 9, 2012, a sedan driven by the plaintiff, an unemployed truck driver, stopped in traffic on Highway 75 near Lovers Lane in Dallas. A vehicle operated by the defendant stopped behind the plaintiff's car. The plaintiff alleged the defendant then rear-ended his vehicle before exiting his own car, speaking to the plaintiff, and leaving the scene. The plaintiff later claimed neck and back injuries.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, followed too closely, failed to control speed, and failed to brake or turn to avoid an accident. The defendant denied any contact between the vehicles, asserting that the plaintiff's car was stopped with both doors open, and he had only approached to check on the plaintiff before leaving. The defense also argued that any damage to the defendant's car was pre-existing. The plaintiff's counsel countered that the defendant's account was not credible, especially given the defendant's profession as a nurse and the alleged unresponsiveness of the plaintiff.
The plaintiff sought $3,133 for past medical bills, $1,500 for past physical pain, and $1,500 for past physical impairment, claiming the incident caused him to decline a new truck-driving job and experience sleep disturbances. After a three-day trial, the jury found the defendant negligent and awarded the plaintiff $6,313. Jurors deliberated for nearly two hours on the negligence issue, concluding that if the plaintiff had been unresponsive, as the defendant claimed, a nurse would have called for emergency assistance. The final judgment, including prejudgment interest and taxable costs, totaled $7,257.32.
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 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 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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