Fort Worth Jury Awards $627, No Injury Damages in Train Collision
One driver was traveling near railroad tracks when a train collided with her vehicle. The driver and passengers claimed neck and back injuries. The driver sued the train operator for negligence, alleging the railroad signals were not working. The train operator claimed the driver failed to yield the right of way. The jury found both parties partially at fault.
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
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $1,230
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- T-bone
- Case Type
- Back and Neck, Soft Tissue
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $1,230 is below the median of $13,021 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $5,408 to $31,445, based on 800 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On October 14, 2013, a vehicle driven by the plaintiff, carrying two minor passengers, collided with train equipment at a railroad crossing in Fort Worth, Texas. The plaintiff alleged the train equipment, operated by an employee of Fort Worth Western Railroad Co., struck the front driver's side of her vehicle. The plaintiff and the minor passengers reported neck and back injuries and sought damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and vehicle repairs. The lawsuit claimed the defendant employee was negligent for failing to maintain a proper lookout and for proceeding when railroad crossing lights were not flashing and arms were upright. The complaint also named Fort Worth Western Railroad Co. under vicarious liability.
The defense contended that the plaintiff was comparatively negligent, arguing she failed to yield the right-of-way to train equipment as required by law and did not exercise caution when approaching the railroad tracks. The defense also disputed the extent of the claimed injuries, asserting that vehicle damage was minor and that inconsistencies existed in the plaintiffs' testimonies regarding their specific ailments.
After a three-day trial, a jury found the defendant employee 51% negligent and the plaintiff 49% negligent. The jury awarded $1,230 for property damage, which was subsequently reduced to $627 to account for the plaintiff's comparative negligence. No damages were awarded for the plaintiffs' claimed personal injuries.
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 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 Dallas County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2017, 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 significantly deviates from similar cases
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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