Dallas Jury Finds Negligence in Unsafe Turn, Awards $12,500
One driver was stopped at a red light when the other driver attempted an unsafe left turn from the wrong lane. The vehicles collided. The injured driver claimed neck and back injuries, including bulging discs, and sought damages for medical bills and lost earnings.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Cervical Disc Injury Injuries
Cervical disc injuries involve damage to the intervertebral discs in the neck region (C1-C7). These injuries can include herniated discs, bulging discs, and disc degeneration accelerated by trauma.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $12,500
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- T-bone
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $12,500 is below the median of $42,976 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $139,701, based on 382 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On January 23, 2015, a vehicle collision occurred on a Dallas, Texas parkway. The plaintiff was proceeding straight through an intersection from a lane allowing straight travel or left turns. The defendant, driving in an adjacent lane restricted to straight travel, attempted a left turn. The vehicles collided, resulting in both being totaled, and the plaintiff claiming neck, back, knee, and hand injuries.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant was negligent for failing to maintain a proper lookout and executing an unsafe and illegal turn. The defendant denied negligence, citing confusing lane markings and her unfamiliarity with the area, testifying she was unaware the plaintiff's lane permitted straight-through traffic. The plaintiff sought $18,092 for past medical bills and $20,000 for past lost earnings, claiming reduced income for 20 months due to injuries requiring emergency room care and four months of chiropractic treatment. The defense contended the treatment was excessive and the bills inflated.
Following a two-day trial, the jury found the defendant negligent. The plaintiff was awarded $12,500, specifically for past medical bills. No damages were awarded for lost earnings, pain and suffering, or physical impairment.
Understanding This Case
- Many cervical disc injuries improve with conservative treatment. However, about 30% of cases may require surgical intervention, with varying degrees of permanent impairment.
- 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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