San Angelo Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $6,898 in Collision

On August 25, 2018, a collision occurred in San Angelo, Texas, when a sedan traveling southbound on Chadbourne Street was struck by a sport utility vehicle heading westbound on Highland Boulevard. The plaintiff, driving the sedan, alleged the defendant, operating the SUV, failed to yield at a stop sign before the impact. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit, claiming the defendant's negligence caused head, neck, and back injuries, a calf laceration, and a chipped tooth.

During the trial, an eyewitness testified that the defendant ran the stop sign. The investigating officer also testified that, in his opinion, the accident was caused by the defendant's failure to yield the right of way. The plaintiff sought damages for past medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish, and disfigurement. The defendant denied negligence, asserting that she had stopped and looked before proceeding but did not see the plaintiff, suggesting the plaintiff must have been speeding. The defense further argued that the plaintiff's claimed injuries were exaggerated, noting the plaintiff declined an ambulance at the scene and that the police report initially listed "no injury." The defense also disputed the tooth injury, which was not mentioned in emergency room records, and argued the requested damages were excessive given the plaintiff's quick recovery.

After a one-day trial, the jury deliberated for 1.5 hours. The jury found the defendant negligent and awarded the plaintiff $6,898. The award specifically covered past medical expenses only, with no additional damages for pain, anguish, or disfigurement, aligning with the defense's arguments regarding the extent of the plaintiff's injuries.