Dallas Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $14,022 in Intersection Collision

On May 9, 2016, a 39-year-old construction worker driving a pickup truck northbound on Marsh Lane in Dallas collided with a compact car. The compact car's driver, traveling westbound on Park Lane, had a stop sign at the intersection while the pickup truck did not. The collision impacted the compact car's front left and the pickup truck's right side. The construction worker sustained neck and back injuries, undergoing physical therapy, X-rays, and MRIs, with one MRI showing a 2-millimeter disc protrusion. His pain resolved after treatment.

The injured construction worker, as the plaintiff, subsequently sued the compact car driver, as the defendant. The plaintiff alleged the defendant was negligent by failing to maintain a proper lookout, failing to yield the right of way, and disregarding a stop sign. The plaintiff sought $13,022 for past medical expenses and $1,000 for past physical pain and suffering.

During trial, the defendant admitted responsibility for the collision but testified that she stopped and checked for traffic before proceeding, stating she did not see the plaintiff's vehicle. Defense counsel argued that the defendant's actions did not necessarily constitute negligence. The defense also challenged the reasonableness of the plaintiff's medical treatment, specifically questioning the early referral for X-rays and MRIs and certain charges, noting a shared ownership between the chiropractic clinic and the imaging facilities. A representative for the plaintiff's chiropractic clinic testified that the treatment and bills were reasonable and necessary.

A Dallas, Texas, jury found the defendant negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $14,022, covering the claimed past medical costs and past physical pain and suffering. The jury deliberated for 37 minutes.