Austin Jury Awards $20,263.98 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped at an intersection when the other driver, who was retrieving a dropped cell phone, collided with the rear of his vehicle. The injured driver claimed the collision aggravated a prior back injury, causing an annular tear and requiring chiropractic treatment. The defense argued a third vehicle caused the injured driver to stop suddenly and that the injuries were pre-existing and degenerative. The jury found the defendant negligent.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $20,264
- County
- Travis County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Case Overview
On September 21, 2012, a produce stocker driving an H3 Hummer was involved in a rear-end collision on Interstate 35 at Stassney Lane in Austin. The plaintiff's vehicle was struck by a Pontiac Vibe driven by the defendant. The plaintiff subsequently filed a negligence lawsuit against the defendant.
The plaintiff's counsel alleged the defendant was distracted by a dropped cell phone and collided with the plaintiff's vehicle, which had stopped at the intersection. The defendant denied negligence, asserting an unidentified third vehicle cut off the plaintiff, causing an unavoidable sudden stop. The plaintiff's counsel questioned the credibility of this defense, noting the absence of a third vehicle in police reports or pretrial statements. The plaintiff claimed the collision aggravated a pre-existing L4-5 herniation and caused a new annular tear, leading to missed work, ongoing pain, and a need for future treatment. The defendant disputed these claims, arguing the collision was not severe enough to cause the alleged injuries, which were pre-existing or degenerative. Defense experts also questioned the extent of vehicle damage, attributing some to a tow truck.
Following a one-day trial, the jury deliberated for one hour. The jury found the defendant negligent and awarded the plaintiff $20,263.98 in damages.
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