Verdictly
Settlement
Bexar County • 2017

San Antonio Lane Change Collision Settles for $400,000

One driver attempted to enter a lane and struck the front of another vehicle. The occupants of the struck vehicle claimed multiple injuries, including neck and shoulder issues. The driver who initiated the collision acknowledged not seeing the other vehicle until after impact. The case involved claims of negligence related to lane changes and yielding the right of way.

Case Information Updated: October 2025

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Cervical Disc Injury
Other Accident
Chiropractic

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
Settlement
Amount
$400,000
County
Bexar County, TX
Resolved
2017

Injury & Accident Details

Injury Type
Cervical Disc Injury
Accident Type
Other
Case Type
Chiropractic, Chiropractic, Supraspinatus Muscle/tendon

Settlement Context

This settlement of $400,000 is above the median of $75,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $20,261 to $300,000, based on 119 cases in our database.

Case Overview

On February 23, 2015, a vehicle occupied by two plaintiffs was struck on Interstate 37 in San Antonio, Texas, by a pickup truck driven by the defendant. The defendant was attempting to enter the plaintiffs' lane from the right when the collision occurred. The plaintiffs subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant's negligence for failing to maintain a proper lookout, changing lanes unsafely, and failing to yield the right of way. They claimed multiple injuries, including torn rotator cuffs and disc herniations, seeking substantial damages for medical expenses, pain, and impairment.

The plaintiffs contended the defendant admitted not seeing their vehicle until impact, with a police report also noting faulty evasive action by the defendant. The defendant, however, denied negligence, asserting an unidentified vehicle forced the pickup truck into the plaintiffs' lane. Defense medical experts challenged the accident as the cause of many claimed injuries, arguing they were pre-existing and degenerative conditions. Experts also highlighted delays in plaintiffs' medical records regarding some injury complaints and stated one plaintiff had chronic pain predating the incident.

The case concluded with a $400,000 settlement. One plaintiff received $225,000, and the other received $175,000. This amount was within the defendant's $500,000 insurance policy limit.

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 was resolved through a settlement, avoiding the uncertainty and expense of a trial. Settlements typically resolve faster and provide guaranteed compensation.
  • This case was resolved in Bexar County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
  • Resolved in 2017, 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

52
/100
Questionable

This outcome differs from typical similar cases

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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