Dallas Jury Finds Negligence, No Damages Awarded in Bus Crash
A passenger on a bus was injured when a vehicle struck the bus's bicycle rack. The passenger claimed the driver was negligent and caused his neck injuries, including a herniated disc. The defense argued the impact was minor and disputed the extent of the injuries. The jury found the driver's negligence caused the accident but awarded no damages.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Defense
- Amount
- Undisclosed
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2022
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- back, neck, herniated disc
Case Overview
On August 28, 2018, in Dallas, a passenger on a Dallas Area Rapid Transit bus was allegedly injured when a vehicle struck the bus's bicycle rack. The defendant driver had reportedly entered the bus lane and collided with the front of the bus. The plaintiff, a 49-year-old cook, subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant was negligent in operating the vehicle, failing to maintain a proper lookout, and changing lanes unsafely. The defendant admitted fault for the collision itself.
The plaintiff claimed to have suffered a herniated disc in the neck, resulting in a burning sensation and radiating pain. Treatment, which began three days after the incident, included trigger-point and epidural steroid injections over nearly two years. The plaintiff sought compensation for past medical expenses, past and future physical pain and mental anguish, and past physical impairment.
The defense disputed that the incident caused the plaintiff's claimed injuries. They argued that bus camera footage showed a minor impact and that passengers were not visibly jarred. Defense counsel contended that the plaintiff was depicted in the video and appeared unaffected. Additionally, the defense highlighted that the plaintiff, who was on the way to an ankle doctor appointment at the time of the collision, did not report the bus accident during that medical visit.
After a two-day trial, a Dallas jury returned a defense verdict. Although the jury found that the defendant's negligence proximately caused the accident, it awarded zero damages to the plaintiff, indicating that the jury did not find the plaintiff's claimed injuries or losses were proven to have been caused by the incident or warranted monetary compensation.
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