Grand Prairie Jury Awards $10,320 After Red Light Crash

On March 31, 2018, an incident occurred at the intersection of Main Street and 19th Street in Grand Prairie, Texas. The plaintiff driver, attempting a left turn onto 19th Street, was struck by a vehicle operated by the defendant, who was traveling in the opposite direction on Main Street. The intersection was controlled by a traffic signal. A police report listed disregarding a stop-and-go signal as a contributing factor against the defendant. The plaintiff driver and his passenger, the plaintiff daughter, subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging the defendant was negligent in operating his vehicle.

The plaintiffs contended that the plaintiff driver had a protected green arrow and the defendant ran a red light. An eyewitness supported the plaintiffs' account. The plaintiff driver claimed multiple herniated discs and sprains, while the plaintiff passenger reported neck, back, and chest injuries. Both sought medical expenses and damages for pain and impairment. The defendant denied negligence, asserting he had a green light and the plaintiff driver failed to yield the right of way. An eyewitness for the defense testified to this effect. The defendant's counsel argued for comparative negligence, suggesting either the plaintiff driver was solely responsible or both drivers shared responsibility. The plaintiff driver died during the litigation from unrelated causes, but his deposition was read at trial.

After a one-day trial, the jury found the defendant 80 percent negligent and the plaintiff driver 20 percent comparatively negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiffs $12,900 in total. After the comparative negligence reduction, the net award to the plaintiffs was $10,320. The jury's findings on liability were unanimous, while the damages questions were decided by an 11-1 vote.