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

In March 2013, a multi-vehicle collision occurred on 4th Street in Weatherford. A plaintiff, an electrician, was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and stopping in a line of traffic when a 2011 Hyundai Elantra, driven by a first defendant, rear-ended his vehicle. Immediately afterward, a 2011 Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck, driven by a second defendant, rear-ended the first defendant's vehicle, 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.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against both drivers, alleging they negligently failed to maintain a proper lookout and control their speed. The plaintiff claimed cervical sprains and strains, as well as disc bulges and protrusions in his lower back, requiring extensive chiropractic care and two rounds of epidural steroid injections. His medical bills totaled over $50,000, and he sought substantial damages for future medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering, arguing the second defendant was 95 percent responsible for the incident. The first defendant contended that the second defendant was primarily at fault for the severe impact. The second defendant acknowledged some negligence but disputed the extent of the plaintiff's injuries, arguing that treatment was excessive, the injuries were self-limiting, and an MRI revealed pre-existing degenerative changes.

After a three-day trial, a jury deliberated for two hours before reaching a verdict. The jury found both defendants negligent, apportioning 95 percent of the responsibility to the second defendant and 5 percent to the first defendant. The plaintiff was awarded $55,787.09 in damages. Including prejudgment interest and taxable costs, the final judgment totaled $64,197.67.