Grandbury Jury Awards $127,500 in Rear-End Collision

A three-vehicle collision occurred on April 10, 2013, at the intersection of FM 2580 and Hilltop Road in Grandbury, Texas. Two drivers, identified as plaintiff one and plaintiff two, subsequently filed a lawsuit against a third driver, the defendant, alleging vehicular negligence. Plaintiff two had initially named plaintiff one as a defendant but later dropped those claims.

The plaintiffs claimed that plaintiff one's vehicle was stopped in the intersection with a turn signal activated, awaiting plaintiff two to pass, when the defendant's vehicle failed to maintain a proper lookout or control speed. This alleged failure resulted in a rear-end collision with plaintiff one's car, pushing it into the northbound lane and causing a head-on collision with plaintiff two's truck. Counsel for plaintiff two argued that her client could not have avoided the collision without driving into a ditch. Both plaintiffs claimed multiple injuries, including lumbar and cervical strains. Plaintiff one also reported soft-tissue injuries to a leg that impacted her ability to continue working as a part-time housekeeper. The defendant denied negligence, arguing that plaintiff one did not have her turn signal or brake lights on and that plaintiff two failed to take evasive action. Defense counsel also maintained that the plaintiffs' medical treatment was excessive.

After a two-day trial, a jury deliberated for one hour before returning a unanimous verdict in favor of the plaintiffs. The jury awarded the plaintiffs a total of $127,500. Plaintiff one received $105,000 for past and future pain and suffering, past lost earnings, property damage, past and future mental anguish, past physical impairment, and loss of use. Plaintiff two was awarded $22,500 for past and future pain and suffering and past physical impairment.