Edinburg Jury Awards $80,000 in Negligent Left Turn Collision

On May 21, 2015, in Edinburg, Texas, a vehicle collision occurred on Farm to Market Road 493. The plaintiff, a 42-year-old carpenter, was traveling north when the defendant, who was traveling south, attempted a left turn across traffic into a parking lot. The defendant's vehicle stopped mid-turn, and the plaintiff's vehicle struck its right rear, propelling the defendant's vehicle into a third vehicle. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant's negligent operation of a vehicle and failure to yield the right of way.

The plaintiff claimed injuries to the back, neck, and a shoulder, including cervical and thoracic spine sprains, a T12-L1 disc protrusion, an L4-5 disc herniation with an annular tear, and a right shoulder contusion. Medical treatment included chiropractic care, epidural steroid injections, and pain management. A treating orthopedist testified that the accident either caused or exacerbated the plaintiff's lumbar disc herniation and recommended a future lumbar discectomy. The plaintiff sought damages for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.

The defense conceded liability for the accident, and the trial proceeded solely on the issue of damages. A defense expert orthopedist opined that the plaintiff had made a good recovery and would not require future surgeries. After a three-day trial and two hours of deliberation, a jury awarded the plaintiff $80,000 in damages. The award included $24,000 for past medical costs, $40,000 for future medical costs, $8,000 for past pain and suffering, and $8,000 for future pain and suffering.