Dallas Jury Awards $6,350 in Rear-End Collision

In June 2014, a sedan driven by one plaintiff, carrying her daughter as a passenger, was rear-ended by another sedan on Hampton Road in Dallas, Texas. The collision occurred when the plaintiffs' vehicle was stopped at a light at Fort Worth Avenue. The plaintiffs subsequently claimed multiple injuries, including neck and back sprains and strains, headaches, concussion, nausea, and insomnia for both individuals, along with a shoulder sprain for the daughter and a disc protrusion for the mother.

The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the defendant, alleging negligence for failing to maintain a proper lookout, control speed, avoid following too closely, and brake or turn in time to prevent the collision. The defendant did not attend the trial, and the defense stipulated to liability for the incident itself. The plaintiffs sought damages totaling over $32,000 for past medical bills, as well as compensation for past and future physical pain, mental anguish, and physical impairment.

During the trial, the plaintiffs described treating at an emergency room, followed by chiropractic care and physical therapy at an injury clinic, where the mother also received pain medication and an MRI showing the disc protrusion. They claimed ongoing pain at the time of trial. The defense, however, introduced expert testimony challenging the extent of the plaintiffs' injuries. A biomechanical expert testified that the accident was too minor to cause injury, comparing the vehicle's acceleration rate to that of a human cough. A chiropractic expert for the defense opined that while the mother's emergency room visit was reasonable, her subsequent treatments were medically unnecessary. The defense also questioned the daughter's emergency room visit, noting her lack of pain complaints until arriving at the hospital. The defendant stated she had stopped behind the plaintiffs before accidentally rolling forward and lightly bumping their vehicle.

After deliberations, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding a total of $6,350. The award included $4,850 for the mother's past medical costs and $1,000 for her past physical pain and mental anguish, along with $500 for the daughter's past physical pain and mental anguish. The jury's award was considerably less than the damages sought by the plaintiffs, suggesting the jury largely accepted the defense's arguments regarding the limited extent and causation of the claimed injuries, despite the defendant admitting fault for the collision.