Lancaster, Texas Jury Awards $24,750 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was pulling out of a private drive when another driver rear-ended them. The injured driver claimed multiple injuries including sprains and strains to their back and neck. They sought damages for past and future medical bills, pain, and impairment. The defense argued the impact was minor and the injuries claimed were excessive.
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
- $24,750
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $24,750 is near 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
In July 2013, a 53-year-old plaintiff was rear-ended in Lancaster, Texas, while driving a 1995 Chevrolet Blazer. The plaintiff asserted he had pulled from a private drive onto a service road when the collision occurred. He later sued the driver of the full-size pickup truck for negligence, alleging the defendant driver failed to keep a proper lookout, was speeding, tailgating, and failed to brake or turn to avoid the accident. The plaintiff also sued the driver's employer; however, a negligent entrustment claim against the employer was dismissed prior to trial. The plaintiff claimed multiple sprains and strains to his back, neck, knee, and ankle, requiring chiropractor visits, MRIs, and epidural injections. He sought $98,000 for past and future medical bills, pain, and impairment.
The defendant driver denied negligence, arguing the plaintiff had stopped abruptly and intended to cause the accident. The defendant contended the collision occurred on a freeway entrance ramp, not a service road. Defense experts testified that the impact was minor, with a low change in velocity insufficient to cause the claimed injuries, and that much of the plaintiff's medical treatment was excessive. The defense also noted the plaintiff made no complaint of injury at the scene.
After a two-day trial, the jury found only the defendant driver negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $24,750. Both the defendant driver and the employer were held liable for the final verdict.
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 2016, 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 is within expected ranges
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
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