Texas Motor Vehicle Negligence Settles for $2.5 Million
A driver stopped at a red light was hit from behind by another vehicle. The driver who was hit claimed injuries to her neck, back, and hips, requiring multiple surgeries and ongoing pain management. The other driver's employer was also named as a defendant. The defense argued the plaintiff's injuries were from subsequent incidents or pre-existing conditions.
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
- $2,500,000
- County
- Jim Wells County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This settlement of $2,500,000 is above 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
A motor vehicle collision occurred on Highway 44 at its intersection with US-281 when a female vocational nurse, stopped at a red light, had her vehicle struck from behind by a trailing vehicle. The plaintiff was transported to an emergency room, complaining of neck and back pain, and was released the same day. She subsequently filed a negligence lawsuit against the driver and the driver's employer. The plaintiff alleged the driver failed to observe a traffic light and control speed, and was acting in the course of employment, driving an employer-owned vehicle. The defendant driver died of unrelated causes before the case concluded, and the suit continued against their estate.
The plaintiff claimed the accident resulted in bilateral sacroiliac joint dysfunction and depression. She underwent extensive treatment, including 15 months of chiropractic care, two sacroiliac fusions, multiple lumbar dorsal column stimulator placements, and counseling and medication for depression. The plaintiff asserted these injuries caused chronic pain and limitations affecting her ability to work and care for her children. Her treating neurosurgeon opined that her sacroiliac injuries were causally related to the collision and would result in chronic pain.
The defendant driver's estate conceded liability for the collision itself. However, the defense contested the causation of the plaintiff's claimed injuries, arguing they stemmed from a subsequent May 2012 incident or pre-existing conditions from prior accidents in 2002 and 2005, which the plaintiff allegedly did not disclose. The defendant employer denied that the driver was an employee. Defense expert orthopedists and neurosurgeons opined the plaintiff sustained only soft tissue strains that should have resolved quickly, finding no objective evidence of sacroiliac injury related to the accident. They noted degenerative findings consistent with age and a prior rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.
The parties settled the matter prior to trial. The defendant employer's insurance carrier paid the plaintiff $2.5 million in damages.
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 Jim Wells 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 significantly deviates from 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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