Denton Jury Finds Shared Negligence in Car Crash, Awards $8,100
One driver was attempting to turn left from a parking lot onto a busy road. The other driver was proceeding straight in the adjacent lane. The two vehicles collided. The injured driver claimed neck, back, and facial injuries, including a disc protrusion. The defense argued that the other driver acted reasonably and questioned the extent and causation of the injuries, noting minimal vehicle damage and a subsequent accident.
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
- Denton County, TX
- Resolved
- 2021
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- back, spasm, lumbar
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $12,500 is below the median of $40,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $100,000, based on 250 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On June 1, 2017, in Denton, Texas, a collision occurred when an SUV, driven by the plaintiff southbound on Preston Road, collided with a compact car attempting a left turn from a parking lot onto northbound Preston. No police were called. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant's negligent operation of his vehicle caused her to suffer neck, back, and facial injuries.
The plaintiff claimed she did not see the defendant's car until immediately before impact, leaving no time to react. She reported injuries including a C5-6 intervertebral disc protrusion, lumbar sprains and strains, and cervical and lumbar muscle spasms, which she said impacted her daily life. The plaintiff sought damages for past medical expenses, physical pain and mental anguish, and physical impairment.
The defendant testified that southbound traffic had stopped and waved him across before the collision. He argued that he acted with ordinary care and that the plaintiff provided conflicting testimony about when she first saw his vehicle. The defense disputed the causation and extent of the plaintiff's injuries, noting a gap between the accident and initial treatment, minimal vehicle damage (repair estimates: $1,400 for plaintiff, $2,900 for defendant), and the unreasonableness of medical charges. Evidence was presented regarding a subsequent accident involving the plaintiff, though she testified her injuries from the first accident had resolved.
A jury found the defendant 67% negligent and the plaintiff 33% comparatively negligent. The jury awarded $12,500 in damages, which was then reduced to $8,100 based on the plaintiff's assigned comparative responsibility.
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 Denton County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2021, 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
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