Weatherford Jury Awards $55,787 in Rear-End Collision

In March 2013, a multi-vehicle collision occurred on 4th Street in Weatherford, resulting in a personal injury lawsuit. The plaintiff, an electrician, was driving a pickup truck and stopped in a line of traffic when a defendant, operating a sedan, rear-ended his vehicle. A second defendant, driving another pickup truck, then struck the sedan, pushing it further into the plaintiff's truck. A police report listed the second defendant's failure to control speed and inattention as contributing factors to the incident. The plaintiff subsequently sued both defendants, alleging negligence for failing to maintain a proper lookout and control their speed.

The plaintiff claimed cervical sprains and strains, disc bulges and protrusions in his lower back, and sought medical treatment including emergency room care, chiropractic visits, an MRI, and two rounds of epidural steroid injections. He testified that his injuries impaired his ability to engage in activities with his young daughter and perform yard work. His orthopedic surgery expert opined that he would require lifelong annual epidural steroid injections. The plaintiff also sought damages for past medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, and past and future pain and suffering and physical impairment. The defense experts countered that only a limited number of chiropractic visits were reasonable and necessary, the injuries were self-limiting, and the injections were not medically necessary. They also noted a two-year gap in the plaintiff's treatment prior to trial and degenerative changes in his spine.

Following a three-day trial, a jury found both defendants negligent. The jury apportioned 95 percent of the comparative responsibility to the second defendant and 5 percent to the first defendant. The plaintiff was awarded $55,787.09. This amount included $50,787 for past medical costs, $2,500 for past physical impairment, and $2,500 for past pain and suffering. Including prejudgment interest and taxable costs, the final judgment totaled $64,197.67.