Dallas, Texas Jury Awards $30,000 in Head-On Collision
One driver was traveling against the flow of traffic and collided head-on with another vehicle. The occupants of the second vehicle claimed injuries to their back and neck. One occupant settled their claim, while the other proceeded to trial for damages. The trial focused on the extent of the injured person's injuries, including back and knee issues.
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
- Settlement
- Amount
- $30,000
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Head-on
- Case Type
- back, sprain, lumbar
Settlement Context
This settlement of $30,000 is near the median of $15,103 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $6,150 to $50,000, based on 95 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On April 11, 2016, a head-on collision occurred on East Davis Street in Dallas, Texas. The incident involved a vehicle driven by the plaintiff, which was struck by another vehicle traveling against the flow of traffic. The defendant was the driver of the vehicle traveling in the wrong direction. Both the plaintiff driver and a passenger initially claimed injuries and subsequently sued the defendant for negligent operation of a vehicle. The defendant conceded liability for the accident, and the passenger's claim was settled out of court.
The trial focused on the plaintiff driver's claimed damages. The plaintiff reported suffering cervical and lumbar sprains and a medial meniscus tear in the right knee, which required arthroscopic surgery in October 2016. The plaintiff sought approximately $250,000 for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and lost earning capacity, alleging that the injuries limited work as a self-employed construction business owner. The defense argued the neck and back injuries were minor and resolved, and contended that the knee injury was a pre-existing degenerative condition, noting a prior knee injury three months before the accident. The defense also highlighted a lack of testimony explaining a mechanism of injury for the knee during the collision.
Following a one-day trial and one hour of jury deliberation, a jury awarded the plaintiff driver $30,000 in damages. The award included compensation for past medical costs, past physical impairment, past and future lost earnings capability, and past pain and suffering.
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 was resolved through a settlement, avoiding the uncertainty and expense of a trial. Settlements typically resolve faster and provide guaranteed compensation.
- 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 2019, 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 is within expected ranges
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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