Dallas Jury Finds Negligence in Rear-End Collision, Awards $2,312
One driver was stopped at a traffic light when another driver rear-ended her, pushing her into the vehicle in front. The injured driver claimed neck and back injuries and sought damages for medical bills, lost earning capacity, pain, and future medical needs. The defense argued the accident was minor and disputed the severity of the injuries.
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
- $2,312
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $2,312 is below 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
A driver filed a negligence lawsuit in Dallas, Texas, following an August 22, 2013, rear-end collision where her vehicle was struck and pushed into an SUV. The plaintiff alleged the defendant driver negligently failed to keep a proper lookout and control speed, claiming the impact occurred at 35 to 40 mph while she was stopped, possibly due to driver distraction. A negligent entrustment claim was also filed against the vehicle owner, the defendant driver's father.
The plaintiff sought $25,000 for alleged neck and back injuries, medical expenses, and lost earning capacity. The defense admitted the impact but disputed its severity, arguing the defendant driver bumped the plaintiff's vehicle at 2 to 3 mph after briefly looking away and mistaking a light for green. The defense presented evidence, including a lack of airbag deployment or significant vehicle damage, to counter a high-speed collision, and successfully argued there was no basis for negligent entrustment.
A jury found the defendant driver negligent but not the father, awarding the plaintiff $2,312. The verdict suggested the jury found some negligence but did not fully credit the plaintiff's claimed extent of injuries or the severity of the incident as alleged.
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 2017, 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 differs from typical similar cases
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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