Tarrant County Jury Finds Split Negligence, Awards $6,300 in Bicycle-Vehicle Collision

A bicycle-vehicle collision occurred on September 15, 2014, in Tarrant County, Texas, leading to a negligence lawsuit. The plaintiff, a 67-year-old bicyclist, claimed he was riding on the left side of a two-way street, or on the sidewalk, and was proceeding through an intersection in a crosswalk after he observed the defendant stop at a stop sign. The plaintiff alleged the defendant, who was approaching from his left, negligently ran the stop sign, failed to yield the right of way, and failed to keep a proper lookout, striking him and causing multiple injuries.

The defendant denied negligence, testifying that she stopped and looked both ways before proceeding, moving only a foot before impact. She admitted not seeing the plaintiff before the collision. The defense argued that the plaintiff was riding against traffic in the street, referencing the point of impact documented in the police report. The plaintiff countered that the police report's impact location was where he landed, and that police did not arrive until after his transport, thus not speaking with him. The defense also contended that no crosswalk existed at the intersection, only stop lines for vehicles. Both sides presented prior inconsistent statements from the other party regarding awareness of the approaching vehicle and impact speed.

The plaintiff sustained various injuries, including headaches, multiple cervical and lumbar disc bulges, and radiculitis, and sought damages for past and future medical expenses, pain, anguish, and physical impairment. His medical bills totaled over $10,000. After a one-day trial, the jury deliberated for 35 minutes and returned a verdict, finding both parties negligent.

The jury apportioned 60 percent of the fault to the defendant and 40 percent to the plaintiff. The plaintiff was awarded $10,500 for past medical costs, past physical impairment, and past and future physical pain and mental anguish. After the reduction for comparative responsibility, the plaintiff's net recovery totaled $6,300.