Willis, Texas Jury Awards $2,500 in Rear-End Collision

On February 2, 2016, a rear-end collision occurred in Willis, Texas, when the defendant's vehicle struck the plaintiff's pickup truck, which was stopped at a red light. The plaintiff, an emergency medical technician, subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging the defendant's negligence caused various neck injuries, including sprains, strains, a herniation, and radicular pain, necessitating physical therapy and diagnostic tests. A chiropractor testified the injuries were accident-related, and the plaintiff sought substantial damages for past and future pain and impairment.

The defense argued the accident was minor, noting no traffic citation was issued and the investigating officer had no independent recollection. While the defendant's older car was totaled, the defense emphasized that photos of the plaintiff's pickup showed no visible damage. Defense counsel also contended the claimed injuries were pre-existing, citing the plaintiff's extensive history of numerous prior accidents and injuries, including other rear-end collisions.

After a two-day trial and 2.5 hours of deliberation, the jury found the defendant negligent and awarded the plaintiff $2,500. The outcome suggested the jury acknowledged some negligence but likely discounted the severity and causation of the claimed injuries, potentially influenced by the minimal vehicle damage to the plaintiff's truck and the defense's evidence of prior incidents.