Dallas Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $130,141 in Red-Light Crash

On February 27, 2014, a driver and a passenger, both college students, were in a vehicle in north Dallas when a defendant driver ran a stoplight and broadsided their passenger side. The plaintiffs claimed multiple soft-tissue injuries to their neck and back, with the driver also claiming headaches. They were transported to an emergency room, where CT scans were negative, and they were released the same day. Later, both plaintiffs underwent chiropractic treatment and received referrals to a neurologist, which included MRIs that were unremarkable.

The plaintiffs sued the defendant driver for negligence, alleging he ran a red light, failed to yield, and failed to keep a proper lookout. They also initially sued the defendant vehicle owner for negligent entrustment but nonsuited that claim before trial. The defendant driver admitted fault, and liability was not a central dispute at trial. The plaintiffs sought damages for past medical expenses, including significant hospital charges and a $20,000 trauma activation fee for each, along with past pain and suffering and physical impairment.

The defense argued the plaintiffs were not significantly injured and that their medical bills were excessive, especially for soft-tissue injuries. Defense counsel questioned the necessity of the trauma activation fee and noted the referral chain from an attorney to the chiropractor and then to a neurologist. The defense also highlighted the chiropractor's letter of protection and the similar treatment received by both plaintiffs, further questioning the necessity and cost of MRIs.

Following a two-day trial and 2.5 hours of jury deliberation, the jury found the defendant driver negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiffs a total of $130,141.03. The passenger plaintiff received $56,549, which included $45,049 for past medical costs, $1,500 for past physical impairment, and $10,000 for past pain and suffering. The driver plaintiff received $73,592, comprising $57,592 for past medical costs, $2,000 for past physical impairment, and $14,000 for past pain and suffering. The final judgment, including prejudgment interest and taxable costs, totaled $148,093.98. The jury's verdict was 11-1, with the dissenting juror reportedly favoring a higher award.