Verdictly
Settlement
Dallas County • 2017

Dallas County Court Dismisses Rear-End Collision Claims

A tractor-trailer rear-ended another tractor-trailer, causing a chain reaction collision involving multiple large trucks. The driver of the last truck in the chain sustained serious back and spine injuries, pain, and incurred medical expenses. The lawsuit alleged negligence by the drivers for failing to maintain safe distances and by the trucking companies for inadequate safety rules and driver rest.

Case Information Updated: October 2025

Back to cases
Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Truck/Commercial
Motor Vehicle Negligence

Case Outcome

Outcome
Settlement
Amount
Undisclosed
County
Dallas County, TX
Resolved
2017

Injury & Accident Details

Injury Type
Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Accident Type
Truck/Commercial
Case Type
Motor Vehicle Negligence, Physical Injury, Emotional Or Mental Injury, Economic Injury

Case Overview

In 2015, a multi-vehicle rear-end collision occurred in Dallas County, Texas, involving several tractor-trailers. A Freightliner tractor-trailer, operated by a driver for KBT Transportation, Inc. and FedEx Ground Package System, Inc., struck the rear of a Sterling tractor-trailer, operated by a driver for ABF Freight System, Inc. This impact caused the Sterling truck to hit a Volvo tractor-trailer, operated by a driver for FedEx Freight, Inc., which then collided with a Kenworth tractor-trailer that had stopped in traffic. The driver of the stopped Kenworth truck, the plaintiff, alleged serious back and spine injuries, loss of earning capacity, physical pain, and medical expenses due to the incident.

The plaintiff filed a vehicular liability action in the District Court of Dallas County, Texas, asserting negligence claims. The lawsuit alleged that the three defendant drivers failed to maintain a clear distance, keep a proper lookout, and remain alert. The action also named their employers—FedEx Ground, KBT, ABF, and FedEx Freight—alleging their failure to enforce safety rules concerning driver working hours and cell phone use. ABF Freight System, Inc. denied the allegations.

The court dismissed the plaintiff's case without prejudice due to his failure to appear for a dismissal hearing. Separately, a cross-claim filed by ABF against some co-defendants was settled and subsequently dismissed with prejudice.

VerdictlyTM Score

35
/100
Potentially Unfair

This outcome significantly deviates from similar cases

This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.

Deserve a fair outcome for your case?

Share your situation and we'll connect you with experienced motor vehicle accident attorneys who have handled cases like this in Dallas County.

Similar cases you may find useful

Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.

$166,231
Verdict-Plaintiff
Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Truck/Commercial

On November 7, 2012, a plaintiff alleged that a defendant operator negligently drove a tractor-trailer, causing it to rear-end the plaintiff's stopped vehicle. The plaintiff claimed he sustained personal injuries as a result of the defendant operator's negligence. In October 2014, the plaintiff, along with his wife and minor child, filed a negligence lawsuit against the defendant operator and his employer in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Waco. A jury trial followed. In October 2015, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, awarding him $146,231.28 for personal injuries. The jury also awarded $20,000 in loss of consortium damages to the plaintiff's wife and minor child, bringing the total award to $166,231.28.

Dallas County • 2015
View full case
$7,100
Settlement
Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Rear-end
Economic Injury

On July 9, 2013, a vehicle operated by the defendant allegedly rear-ended a car driven by the plaintiff. The plaintiff claimed the defendant negligently failed to yield and ran a red light, sustaining personal injuries in the incident. On April 8, 2014, the plaintiff filed a negligence petition for damages against the defendant in the District Court, 44th District Court, Dallas County, Texas. On February 10, 2015, the parties informed the court they had reached a settlement. The agreement provided that the plaintiff would accept $7,100 to resolve all claims. An agreed order of dismissal with prejudice was entered on February 20, 2015.

Dallas County • 2015
View full case
Undisclosed
Verdict-Defense
Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Rear-end
Motor Vehicle Negligence

On November 14, 2011, a rear-end collision occurred on the Katy Freeway in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff had stopped her vehicle in the left lane due to traffic when the defendant's vehicle struck it from behind. The plaintiff alleged the collision caused sprains and strains to her cervical and thoracic spine and left shoulder. The lawsuit claimed the defendant was negligent by traveling at an excessive speed, failing to maintain an assured clear distance, and failing to brake in a timely manner. Initially, the defendant argued the plaintiff made a sudden stop, which prevented avoidance. However, prior to trial, the defendant stipulated liability for the collision. The dispute then focused on the extent of the plaintiff's injuries, with the defendant maintaining that the plaintiff was not seriously injured and any alleged injuries were pre-existing. A jury found that the plaintiff did not suffer any serious or permanent injury in the collision.

Harris County • 2015
View full case
$500
Verdict-Plaintiff
Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Other Accident
Motor Vehicle Negligence

In Tarrant County, a plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging negligence following a motor vehicle accident. The plaintiff claimed to have sustained bodily injuries, specifically soft tissue damage to the neck and back, as a result of the incident. A jury heard the case and delivered an 11-1 verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The jury found the defendant negligent and awarded damages totaling $2,226. This amount included $500 for past physical pain and mental anguish, and $1,726 for past medical care.

Tarrant County • 2015
View full case
$6,412
Verdict-Plaintiff
Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Rear-end
Motor Vehicle Negligence

A plaintiff driver filed a negligence lawsuit against a defendant driver following a rear-end collision. The incident occurred when the defendant, operating a sedan, struck the rear of the plaintiff's minivan. The plaintiff alleged the collision resulted in neck and back injuries, specifically cervical and lumbar sprain/strain, and headaches. The plaintiff underwent conservative medical care and claimed medical expenses totaling $11,711, seeking damages. The defendant denied liability, also disputing the causation and extent of the plaintiff's alleged injuries and damages. The matter proceeded to trial. After deliberating, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The jury awarded the plaintiff $6,412 in damages.

Tarrant County • 2015
View full case