Gregg County Jury Awards $337,227.60 in Intersection Collision

On March 26, 2015, in Gregg County, a 50-year-old traffic signal supervisor driving a pickup truck was involved in a collision. The supervisor was proceeding through an intersection on a green light when another driver, who had been stopped at a red light, entered the intersection and struck the supervisor's vehicle. The impact caused the supervisor's truck to enter a ditch and roll over.

The injured supervisor, as the plaintiff, subsequently sued the other driver, the defendant, alleging negligence and gross negligence. The plaintiff claimed the defendant had consumed alcohol and used a cell phone for approximately 20 minutes before and during the crash. The plaintiff reported neck and shoulder injuries, including cervical disc herniations, and sought damages for extensive past and future medical expenses, as well as pain and impairment.

The defendant stipulated to negligence but disputed the claim of gross negligence, arguing that impairment was not a factor and that the accident resulted from inattention, not severe misconduct. The defense also contested the extent of the plaintiff's injuries, presenting an orthopedic surgeon who opined that the accident caused only sprains and that ongoing disc issues were more likely degenerative. The defense further noted the plaintiff returned to work soon after the incident.

Following a four-day trial, a Gregg County jury deliberated for three hours. The jury awarded the plaintiff $337,227.60 in actual damages. However, the jury did not find the defendant grossly negligent, thus precluding an award of punitive damages. The awarded damages included compensation for past and future medical costs, physical impairment, and pain and mental anguish.