Dalhart, Texas Negligence Motorcycle Crash Settles for $37,000
A motorcyclist was riding on a street when a sport utility vehicle attempted to turn left in front of him. To avoid a collision, the motorcyclist laid down his motorcycle. The driver of the sport utility vehicle was cited for failure to yield the right of way. The motorcyclist claimed multiple injuries, including a head injury, broken ribs, abrasions, and back problems. He underwent surgery for his back. The defense argued that his back injuries were unrelated to the accident and were due to pre-existing conditions.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $37,000
- County
- Dallam County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Motorcycle
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Case Overview
On October 8, 2010, a 53-year-old mechanic, riding a motorcycle eastbound on West 7th Street in Dalhart, Texas, encountered a vehicle attempting a left turn. The defendant, driving a full-size sport utility vehicle, proceeded to turn onto Rock Island Avenue from the westbound lane, with her view of the plaintiff obstructed by two 18-wheelers. To avoid a collision, the plaintiff laid down his motorcycle, skidding on the pavement. The defendant was cited for failing to yield the right of way. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant's negligence caused his injuries.
The plaintiff sustained a concussion, scalp laceration, two broken ribs, chest and abdomen abrasions, and road rash. He also suffered avulsion of his right hand, requiring 40 stitches, and later developed an infection in the hand. While these initial injuries resolved, the plaintiff claimed the incident aggravated pre-existing herniated discs in his lower back, leading to further treatment including surgery. He argued his prior back symptoms had resolved before the accident. The defense largely conceded negligence but disputed the causation of the plaintiff's back injuries, presenting expert testimony that the disc herniations resulted from a progression of pre-existing degenerative conditions. The defense also highlighted the plaintiff's delayed complaints about his back at the emergency room and the nearly year-long gap before seeking treatment for the spinal issues, attributing this delay in part to another health concern the plaintiff addressed during that period.
The case concluded with a $37,000 settlement between the parties, which was less than the defendant's $50,000 insurance policy limit.
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