San Augustine, Texas ATV Injury Case Settles for $20,000
A young boy was injured while riding an all-terrain vehicle at his grandparents' ranch. He crashed into a utility pole and sustained a fracture to his left arm. His father sued the boy's mother and grandparents, alleging negligence and failure to supervise. The defense argued the Recreational Use Statute applied and that the injury was not severe. The case settled for $20,000.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Back Strain / Soft Tissue Injuries
Back strain and soft tissue injuries are among the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. These injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back, often resulting from the sudden impact forces experienced during a collision.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $20,000
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Fracture, Radius, Fracture
Settlement Context
This settlement of $20,000 is near the median of $15,103 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $6,150 to $50,000, based on 95 cases in our database.
Case Overview
An 8-year-old boy sustained a left arm injury after crashing a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle (ATV) into a utility pole at his grandparents' ranch in San Augustine, Texas. The incident occurred while the boy and his 6-year-old brother were riding ATVs, approximately 100 yards from a barn and 50 feet from the ranch house. Neither boy was wearing safety equipment. The boy sustained a buckle fracture of the non-dominant radius, requiring a sling for four weeks. He recovered fully within about six weeks, incurring approximately $3,000 in medical expenses.
The boy's father, on behalf of himself and his son, filed a lawsuit against the boy's mother and maternal grandparents. The complaint alleged negligence and premises liability, asserting the mother negligently entrusted the children to their grandparents, who then failed to properly supervise them. The plaintiffs argued that the children should not have been permitted to operate ATVs at all, especially without safety gear, and also alleged gross negligence against the grandparents.
The defendants denied negligence. The grandparents invoked the Texas Recreational Use Statute, which generally limits liability for owners of agricultural land to willful or wanton acts or gross negligence when inviting others for recreation. The plaintiffs argued the boy was not on the premises "for recreation," and therefore the statute did not apply. The defense also contended that the boy's injury was not severe, noting he did not miss any school.
After all defendants had been deposed, the parties reached a settlement in mediation. The case concluded with a $20,000 payment to the plaintiffs. The insurance policy limit was $100,000.
Understanding This Case
- The majority of soft tissue injuries resolve within 6-12 weeks with proper treatment. However, approximately 10-20% of cases may develop into chronic conditions requiring ongoing care.
- 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 Dallas County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2016, 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
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