Plano, Texas Jury Awards $78,498 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped at a red light when another driver rear-ended them, pushing their vehicle into a third vehicle. The injured driver claimed neck and back injuries, including strains that aggravated pre-existing conditions. The defense argued the collision was not severe enough to cause the claimed injuries and that they were pre-existing.
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
- $78,499
- County
- Collin County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $78,499 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
On June 29, 2012, a collision occurred at the intersection of East Spring Creek Parkway and North Central Expressway in Plano, Texas. The incident involved an Audi driven by the plaintiff, a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by the defendant, and a third vehicle. The plaintiff, an airport baggage handling manager, sustained neck and back injuries and subsequently filed a lawsuit against the defendant.
The plaintiff alleged that the defendant failed to maintain a proper lookout or control speed, resulting in the defendant's vehicle rear-ending the plaintiff's car while it was stopped at a red light, pushing it into the third vehicle. The plaintiff claimed cervical and lumbar strains that aggravated pre-existing herniations. Medical treatment included physical therapy for four months and two sets of epidural steroid injections. The plaintiff sought approximately $28,500 for past medical expenses and an unspecified amount for past pain and suffering.
Defense counsel argued that the collision was not severe enough to cause the claimed injuries, citing minimal property damage, specifically a bent license plate on the defendant's vehicle. The defense maintained that the plaintiff's injuries were entirely pre-existing and unrelated to the collision. Following a one-day trial and two hours of deliberation, the jury found the defendant liable and awarded the plaintiff $78,498.52.
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 Collin 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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