Dallas Jury Finds Negligence, No Damages Awarded in Rear-End Collision
One driver lost control of her vehicle on a rainy highway and came to a stop sideways in a lane. Another vehicle rear-ended her, pushing her car into a third vehicle. A fourth vehicle then rear-ended the second vehicle. The first driver claimed back and neck injuries. The jury found both the first driver and the second driver negligent, but awarded no damages.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Defense
- Amount
- Undisclosed
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Case Overview
On June 25, 2014, a multi-vehicle collision occurred on Interstate 635 north of Dallas, Texas, during rainy conditions. The plaintiff, a cell phone repair technician, lost control of her 2002 BMW and came to a stop sideways across the far left lane. A 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, driven by one defendant, stopped in the same lane. A 2000 Toyota RAV4, driven by a second defendant, then rear-ended the Pathfinder, pushing it into the plaintiff's vehicle. A 2007 Ford Focus, driven by a third defendant, subsequently rear-ended the RAV4. The police report indicated the plaintiff's failure to control speed and the other drivers following too closely as contributing factors. The plaintiff claimed back and neck injuries, including herniated discs and stenosis.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the three other drivers, alleging negligence, including failing to maintain a proper lookout, control speed, follow at a safe distance, and avoid the collision. She argued that she was driving normally, did not know why she lost control, and had insufficient time to move her vehicle before impact. Plaintiff's counsel specifically attributed responsibility to the second and third defendants. However, two of the defendants, including the driver of the RAV4 and the driver of the Pathfinder, alleged the plaintiff was negligent for losing control of her vehicle and obstructing a lane of travel. They also suggested the plaintiff was distracted by a prior accident scene and braked suddenly. The driver of the RAV4 did not attend the trial in person, and the driver of the Focus neither filed an answer nor appeared.
After a one-day trial in Dallas County, the jury deliberated for 40 minutes before reaching a verdict. The jury found the plaintiff and the driver of the RAV4 each 50 percent negligent. However, the jury awarded no damages to the plaintiff. The jury further determined that the negligence, if any, of the Pathfinder's driver or the Focus's driver did not proximately cause the accident.
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