Jury Awards $3,000 for Injuries in Dallas County Rear-End Collision

On May 8, 2010, a multi-vehicle rear-end collision occurred on Northwest Highway in Dallas County. The plaintiff, driving a pickup truck, had stopped at a red light behind another vehicle. A third driver then stopped behind the plaintiff. Subsequently, a defendant driver operating a second pickup truck rear-ended the third driver's sport utility vehicle, pushing it into the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff claimed neck, back, and right knee injuries from the incident. Prior to the lawsuit, the defendant driver's insurer settled property damage claims for the plaintiff and the third driver, as well as the third driver's bodily injury claim.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendant driver for failing to keep a proper lookout and control speed. The plaintiff also sued the third driver for failing to maintain a safe following distance, although an initially named corporate defendant was later dropped from the case. The plaintiff asserted a normal stop before the collision and argued the defendant driver was primarily responsible. The defendant driver admitted fault at the scene and during trial but claimed distraction by a pedestrian. The third driver contended the plaintiff stopped abruptly and argued the defendant driver was solely negligent.

The plaintiff claimed sprains, strains, and a torn meniscus, with pain that returned after initial chiropractic treatment, impacting daily activities. The plaintiff sought $10,000 for past and future pain, mental anguish, and physical impairment. The defendant driver's counsel argued the injuries were minor, citing minimal damage to the plaintiff's vehicle and a prior attorney referral for chiropractic treatment. After a one-day trial, the jury deliberated for one hour. The jury found the defendant driver negligent but did not find the third driver negligent. The plaintiff was awarded $3,000 for past physical pain and mental anguish and past physical impairment. The jury did not award future damages.