Fort Worth Jury Finds Negligence in Rear-End Collision, Awards $45,000

On January 21, 2017, a plaintiff was driving in Fort Worth when her sport utility vehicle was struck from the rear by another sport utility vehicle, driven by the defendant. The collision occurred while the plaintiff’s vehicle was stopped. The plaintiff subsequently sued the defendant, alleging negligence in the operation of the defendant's vehicle. An initial claim against the vehicle owner was discontinued.

The plaintiff claimed the incident caused injuries to her back, hip, and shoulders, including spinal disc issues, hip strain, and a cyst or lipoma in her shoulder that later required surgical excision. She sought damages for medical expenses, lost earning capacity due to impacts on her catering work and culinary schooling, and pain and suffering, requesting a total of nearly $2.2 million. The plaintiff alleged the defendant was distracted, looking at her vehicle's rear seat before the collision. The defendant contended the plaintiff stopped suddenly without reason, stating she was looking at her daughter in the rearview mirror. The defense disputed the severity and duration of the claimed injuries, arguing they should have resolved within three months and that the shoulder cyst was unrelated to the accident.

The court granted the plaintiff’s motion for a directed verdict on liability, establishing the defendant's responsibility for the collision. The matter then proceeded to a three-day jury trial on damages. After 2.5 hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, awarding $45,000. According to the plaintiff’s counsel, jurors indicated the award represented compensation for three months of medical expenses, pain, and impairment, aligning with the defense's expert opinion regarding the expected duration of accident-related injuries.