Mesquite Jury Awards $15,938.15 in Head-On Collision
One driver was heading south and stopped at an intersection to turn left. The other driver was approaching from the opposite direction. The vehicles collided in the intersection. The first driver claimed neck and back injuries, alleging the other driver failed to keep a proper lookout and crossed the center line. The second driver's counsel argued the first driver attempted an unsafe left turn and failed to yield the right of way.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Cervical Disc Injury Injuries
Cervical disc injuries involve damage to the intervertebral discs in the neck region (C1-C7). These injuries can include herniated discs, bulging discs, and disc degeneration accelerated by trauma.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $19,923
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Head-on
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $19,923 is near the median of $40,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $100,000, based on 250 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A collision occurred in Mesquite, Texas, between a delivery driver's compact car and another driver's SUV on January 9, 2012. The plaintiff, driving south on Sam Houston Street, was stopped at Military Parkway preparing to turn left. The defendant was approaching from the opposite direction, and both drivers had a green light when their vehicles collided head-on in the intersection.
The plaintiff sued the defendant, alleging negligence including failure to keep a proper lookout, crossing the centerline, and failing to avoid the collision. The plaintiff asserted his vehicle was stationary, waiting to turn, when the defendant entered his lane and struck him. The defendant's counsel denied attempting a left turn, arguing the plaintiff failed to yield the right of way by attempting to turn in front of her. The plaintiff claimed neck and back injuries, including aggravation of pre-existing disc conditions, requiring various medical treatments. Damages sought included past and future medical bills, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and vehicle-related costs. The plaintiff's spouse also sought loss of consortium. The defendant's counsel contended the injuries were pre-existing from an earlier incident and that the plaintiff had recovered before trial.
Following a two-day trial, the jury found the defendant 80 percent liable and the plaintiff 20 percent liable for the accident. The jury awarded the plaintiff $19,922.69 in damages, which included compensation for past and future medical costs, diminution in vehicle value, past lost earning capacity, past physical pain and mental anguish, and loss of use of the vehicle. The total award was then reduced to $15,938.15 to reflect the plaintiff's comparative responsibility.
Understanding This Case
- Many cervical disc injuries improve with conservative treatment. However, about 30% of cases may require surgical intervention, with varying degrees of permanent impairment.
- 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 aligns very well with similar cases
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