Travis County Jury Awards $13,005 in Rear-End Collision

On August 22, 2014, in Travis County, a plaintiff driving a Mazda Protege southbound was rear-ended by a trailing Toyota pickup truck. The incident occurred as the plaintiff slowed their vehicle to yield to an approaching emergency vehicle. The plaintiff, who claimed neck, back, shoulder, wrist, and ankle injuries, subsequently filed a lawsuit against the defendant, alleging negligence in the operation of the pickup truck.

The plaintiff contended that the defendant failed to maintain a proper lookout, did not keep a safe distance between vehicles, and failed to take evasive action to prevent the collision. The claimed injuries included sprains to the cervical, lumbar, and thoracic spines, as well as sprains to the right shoulder, wrist, and ankle. The plaintiff underwent approximately eight months of chiropractic treatments and claimed the injuries resulted in chronic pain and restricted range of motion, leading to resignation from a massage therapist position. The plaintiff sought $500,000 for past medical expenses and $19,000 for past lost earnings.

The defense argued that the plaintiff had sufficient time to clear the intersection before stopping, thus contributing to the collision. The defense also disputed the extent of the plaintiff's injuries, claiming the rear-end impact was minor and could not have caused the injuries alleged. It was further argued that some of the plaintiff's neck and back issues were due to pre-existing conditions, citing a history of chiropractic treatments.

Following a three-day trial, the jury deliberated for four hours and returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The jury awarded the plaintiff $13,005, which included $4,899 for past medical costs, $7,040 for past lost earning capability, $708 for pre-judgment interest, and $358 for court costs.