Fort Bend County Jury Awards $14,977.84 in Car Crash

On December 4, 2011, a compact pickup truck, driven by the plaintiff, collided with a sedan in Fort Bend County, Texas. The incident occurred on Highway 6 at approximately 2 a.m. while the plaintiff was driving southbound. The defendant, driving northbound, had been pulled over by a police officer and stopped at a red light in a left-turn lane. While the light remained red, the defendant attempted to turn left, and the plaintiff's vehicle struck the sedan's passenger side. The plaintiff sustained neck and back injuries.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant's negligent operation of the vehicle caused the collision. During the trial, the police officer who pulled over the defendant testified that he did not signal the defendant to proceed through the red light and opined that the defendant caused the accident by failing to yield. The plaintiff testified that he was traveling approximately 50 mph in a 55 mph zone and claimed injuries including a C7-T1 disc protrusion and cervical, thoracic, and lumbar sprains and strains, despite acknowledging prior lower back pain two weeks before the accident. Photos of significant vehicle damage were presented. The plaintiff sought specific damages for past medical expenses, physical impairment, and pain and suffering, with unspecified damages for future pain and anguish.

The defendant did not attend the trial. Defense counsel argued that the defendant was not negligent, suggesting the presence of the police officer might have caused the defendant to proceed prematurely. Regarding injuries, the defense contended that any lower back issues were pre-existing. A defense orthopedic surgeon testified that the plaintiff's MRIs were not medically necessary given the initial lack of radicular symptoms and objective findings. The defense suggested a lower award for medical expenses.

After a one-day trial and 1.5 hours of deliberation, the jury found the defendant liable for the accident and did not find the plaintiff negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $14,977.84.