Tarrant County Jury Finds Negligence in Car Crash, Awards $5,325.38
One driver was traveling on a highway when another driver entered the highway from an on-ramp that became an exit-only lane. The second driver changed lanes to the left to avoid exiting, and their vehicle struck the first driver's vehicle. The second driver then left the scene. The first driver claimed neck and back injuries.
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
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $5,325
- County
- Tarrant County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Highway
- Case Type
- Soft Tissue, Chiropractic, Physical Therapy
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $5,325 is below the median of $13,021 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $5,408 to $31,445, based on 800 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On December 13, 2015, a collision occurred on Highway 183 in Tarrant County, Texas. The defendant, driving a 2015 Toyota Tacoma, entered the highway from an on-ramp designated as an exit-only lane. The defendant then changed lanes, striking the right side of the plaintiff's 2013 Honda CR-Z. After pulling onto the shoulder, the defendant left the scene. The plaintiff, who reported neck and back injuries, subsequently sued, alleging the defendant's negligence included an unsafe lane change, failure to yield, and leaving the accident scene.
The plaintiff maintained his vehicle was in the right lane, while the defendant claimed the plaintiff merged into his lane, a position partially contradicted by the defendant's own testimony. The defendant also could not provide a compelling reason for leaving the scene. The plaintiff sought damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and a car rental. The defense challenged the general damages, citing the plaintiff's inconsistent statements about pain onset and initial injury denial. A Tarrant County jury found the defendant negligent and awarded the plaintiff $5,325.38, which covered past medical expenses and the car rental cost.
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 went to trial and resulted in a jury verdict. Verdicts can yield higher awards but carry the risk of receiving nothing if the jury rules against the plaintiff.
- This case was resolved in Tarrant 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
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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