Rockwall Jury Finds Negligence in Rear-End Collision, Awards $8,258

On June 23, 2014, in Rockwall, a driver (the plaintiff) was stopped at a red light on Yellowjacket Road when another driver (the defendant) struck the plaintiff's left front quarter panel. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging the defendant was negligent in operating her vehicle and claimed back and neck injuries, in addition to Bell's palsy, which she attributed to the accident.

The plaintiff's counsel contended the defendant may have been distracted, noting the defendant had a passenger. The plaintiff sought treatment for cervical hypolordosis and acute interspinous ligament strain, and later developed Bell's palsy. A representative of the plaintiff's chiropractic clinic testified that the care was reasonable and necessary. Deposition testimony from a defense-retained neurologist also confirmed Bell's palsy could result from trauma. The plaintiff sought damages for past and future medical expenses, pain, and physical impairment.

The defendant denied negligence, explaining that a bend in Yellowjacket Road and trees obscured her view of the red light. She stated that after seeing the light, she braked and attempted to move into an empty lane, but the wet, downward-sloping road caused her vehicle to slide into the plaintiff's lane. The defense also disputed the link between the accident and the Bell's palsy diagnosis, emphasizing that these symptoms were not noted in medical records until months after the incident and that the plaintiff had ceased treatment in late 2014.

After a one-day trial and 110 minutes of deliberation, the jury found the defendant negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $8,258. The final judgment, including prejudgment interest and taxable costs, totaled $10,624.22.