Dallas Jury Finds Split Liability, Awards $12,200 in Rear-End Collision

On April 14, 2014, a multi-vehicle collision occurred on Scyene Road in Dallas, Texas. A driver, identified as the plaintiff, was traveling west when a work convoy caused vehicles ahead to stop suddenly. The plaintiff braked, stopping short of the vehicle in front, but was then rear-ended by a vehicle operated by the first defendant. Subsequently, a third vehicle, operated by the second defendant, struck the first defendant's vehicle, causing it to impact the plaintiff's vehicle a second time. This chain reaction then pushed the plaintiff's vehicle into the one in front. The plaintiff claimed neck and back injuries, including a disc herniation, and underwent chiropractic care.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against both defendants, alleging negligence in their operation of the vehicles. The first defendant, driver of the second vehicle, countersued the second defendant, arguing that a sudden emergency made her impact unavoidable. The first defendant also served as intervenor and next friend for her three minor children, who were passengers and claimed soft-tissue neck and back injuries, seeking damages for medical expenses and pain. The second defendant argued the first defendant was comparatively negligent for not anticipating the sudden stops due to the convoy and highlighted inconsistencies in her testimony. The second defendant also claimed to have had the least reaction time as the last vehicle in the multi-impact collision.

During the three-day trial, the plaintiff's counsel for the first defendant argued the plaintiff had not sustained a permanent injury. The defense for the second defendant contended that the children's injuries were minor sprains with no permanent residuals.

After two hours of deliberation, the jury found the first defendant 85 percent liable and the second defendant 15 percent liable. The jury awarded the plaintiff $12,200. The first defendant's children received a total of $8,077 in damages. The final judgment specified that the plaintiff was entitled to recover $10,370 from the first defendant and $1,830 from the second defendant.