Jury Awards $3,000 for Injuries in Dallas County Rear-End Collision
One driver stopped at a red light, and the driver behind them also stopped. The driver behind that vehicle then rear-ended the middle vehicle, pushing it into the first vehicle. The plaintiff claimed neck, back, and knee injuries. The jury found one of the drivers negligent and awarded the plaintiff $3,000 for past pain and mental anguish and past physical impairment.
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
- $3,000
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $3,000 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 May 8, 2010, a multi-vehicle rear-end collision occurred on Northwest Highway in Dallas County. The plaintiff, driving a pickup truck, had stopped at a red light behind another vehicle. A third driver then stopped behind the plaintiff. Subsequently, a defendant driver operating a second pickup truck rear-ended the third driver's sport utility vehicle, pushing it into the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff claimed neck, back, and right knee injuries from the incident. Prior to the lawsuit, the defendant driver's insurer settled property damage claims for the plaintiff and the third driver, as well as the third driver's bodily injury claim.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendant driver for failing to keep a proper lookout and control speed. The plaintiff also sued the third driver for failing to maintain a safe following distance, although an initially named corporate defendant was later dropped from the case. The plaintiff asserted a normal stop before the collision and argued the defendant driver was primarily responsible. The defendant driver admitted fault at the scene and during trial but claimed distraction by a pedestrian. The third driver contended the plaintiff stopped abruptly and argued the defendant driver was solely negligent.
The plaintiff claimed sprains, strains, and a torn meniscus, with pain that returned after initial chiropractic treatment, impacting daily activities. The plaintiff sought $10,000 for past and future pain, mental anguish, and physical impairment. The defendant driver's counsel argued the injuries were minor, citing minimal damage to the plaintiff's vehicle and a prior attorney referral for chiropractic treatment. After a one-day trial, the jury deliberated for one hour. The jury found the defendant driver negligent but did not find the third driver negligent. The plaintiff was awarded $3,000 for past physical pain and mental anguish and past physical impairment. The jury did not award future damages.
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 2015, 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 differs from typical similar cases
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