Fort Worth Jury Awards $3,606.62 in Traffic Collision

On November 16, 2016, a traffic collision occurred on a rural highway in Fort Worth, Texas. The plaintiff was driving when the defendant, operating a minivan, pulled out from a stop sign and struck the right rear side of the plaintiff’s vehicle. The plaintiff subsequently alleged lower back injuries. A lawsuit was filed, claiming the defendant was negligent in the operation of the vehicle. The defendant conceded liability for the accident.

The plaintiff sought damages for lumbar sprains and strains, reporting an emergency room visit six days after the incident, followed by a series of chiropractic treatments over several months. The plaintiff testified to severe and ongoing lower back pain. Counsel for the plaintiff requested $6,581 for past medical expenses and $10,000 for non-economic damages, including past and future physical pain, mental anguish, and physical impairment.

The defense challenged the extent and causation of the plaintiff's injuries, highlighting gaps in chiropractic treatment and arguing that later visits were unrelated to the collision. The defense also questioned the plaintiff's credibility, noting discrepancies between testimony and medical records regarding pain severity and the scope of injuries treated. Further, the defense pointed to minimal vehicle damage visible in photographs and that the plaintiff retained legal counsel before seeking hospital care. The defendant proposed awarding only the cost of the initial hospital visit or, at most, the hospital visit plus the first nine chiropractic visits, along with $500 for past pain and anguish.

Following a one-day trial, the jury found the defendant liable and awarded the plaintiff $3,606.62. This amount included $3,421.62 for past medical expenses, specifically covering the initial hospital visit and the first four chiropractic treatments. The award also included $185 for past physical pain and mental anguish. The jury's verdict, reached with an 11-1 poll, reflected a partial acceptance of the defense's arguments regarding the scope of recoverable damages.