San Antonio, Texas Left-Turn Collision Settles for $115,000
One driver was approaching a stoplight when the other driver turned left, causing a collision. The injured driver claimed head, neck, leg, and abdomen injuries. Medical bills totaled over $41,000, and lost wages were claimed. The case settled before trial.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Neck Injury (Whiplash) Injuries
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by rapid back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly occurring in rear-end collisions. Despite being frequently dismissed, whiplash can cause significant pain and disability.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $115,000
- County
- Bexar County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- T-bone
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This settlement of $115,000 is above the median of $19,000 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $6,287 to $115,000, based on 63 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On January 15, 2019, in San Antonio, Texas, two pickup trucks collided nearly head-on when a defendant driver made a left turn onto a service road against an oncoming plaintiff whose light was green. An investigating police officer attributed a contributing factor to the defendant driver for failing to yield the right of way. The plaintiff, an off-duty police officer, reported head, neck, leg, and abdomen injuries.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendant driver, his employer, and its parent company, alleging negligence in the operation of a company vehicle within the scope of employment. The plaintiff claimed cervical disc herniations, nerve impingement, and sleep disturbance. Medical treatment included an emergency room visit, pain management, cervical epidural steroid injections, and physical therapy, with most complaints largely resolving by the end of treatment. The plaintiff sought compensation for past medical expenses totaling over $41,000, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The defendants generally denied the allegations but did not strongly dispute liability for the collision. They contested the extent of the plaintiff's claimed medical damages, arguing that some bills were excessive, certain CT scans unnecessary, and highlighted a two-week gap in treatment after the initial emergency room visit. The defendants also suggested physical therapy should have been attempted before injections and requested evidence of the plaintiff's activities following the accident. The parties reached a settlement of $115,000 prior to trial.
Understanding This Case
- Most whiplash injuries improve within 2-3 months. However, about 25% of patients experience chronic symptoms lasting over a year, significantly impacting quality of life.
- 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 2019, 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 is within expected ranges
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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