Pharr Jury Finds Negligence in Rear-End Collision, Awards $40,000

A plaintiff filed a vehicular negligence action after his stopped vehicle was struck from the rear by a defendant's vehicle on April 10, 2014, at an intersection in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff alleged the defendant failed to control the vehicle, maintain a proper lookout, and take evasive action. The plaintiff claimed to have sustained an ankle sprain and discogenic injuries to the cervical and lumbar spine as a result of the collision. The defendant denied all allegations of negligence, including that the plaintiff sustained serious or permanent injuries from the accident. A jury ultimately found the defendant negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $16,361 for past damages and an additional $10,000 for future damages.

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.

On August 14, 2014, a vehicular collision occurred in Houston, Texas, when the defendant's vehicle struck the rear of the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff alleged the defendant, operating a company vehicle within the scope of employment, was traveling at an excessive rate of speed, failed to maintain a proper lookout, and did not keep a safe distance, causing severe injuries to the plaintiff's cervical and lumbar spine. The plaintiff filed a negligence lawsuit, claiming the defendant's actions led to significant neck and back disc injuries. The defendant failed to answer the complaint, resulting in a default judgment entered by the court. The court awarded the plaintiff $364,305 in damages. This included $200,000 for pain and suffering, $14,305 for past medical expenses, and $150,000 for future medical expenses. The judgment was granted due to the defendant's failure to respond to the legal complaint.

In Dallas County, a plaintiff filed a lawsuit after experiencing neck and back injuries in a rear-end collision. The plaintiff alleged the defendant's negligence caused the incident and sought damages for physical pain, impairment, and medical expenses. Prior to trial, the parties engaged in mediation, but the case proceeded to a jury. During the trial, the plaintiff presented testimony from an orthopedic medical expert regarding the injuries sustained. The defendant did not present any expert testimony. The jury ultimately returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The jury awarded total damages of $7,131. This amount included $1,000 for past physical pain and suffering, $2,000 for past physical impairment, and $4,131 for past medical care. The jury awarded no damages for future pain and suffering, future physical impairment, or past and future mental anguish.

One driver alleged another driver was negligent in striking their vehicle. A second driver then struck the first driver's vehicle, causing it to hit the plaintiff's vehicle a second time. The plaintiff suffered injuries to their neck, back, and shoulder. The parties resolved the claim for $60,750.