Verdictly
Verdict-Plaintiff
Dallas County • 2018

Willis, Texas Jury Awards $2,500 in Rear-End Collision

One driver stopped at a red light when the other driver rear-ended them. The injured driver claimed neck injuries and sought damages for pain and impairment. The defense questioned the severity of the impact and suggested the injuries were pre-existing. The jury found the defendant negligent and awarded damages.

Case Information Updated: October 2025

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Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Rear-end
Motor Vehicle Negligence

Case Outcome

Outcome
Verdict-Plaintiff
Amount
$2,500
County
Dallas County, TX
Resolved
2018

Injury & Accident Details

Injury Type
Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Accident Type
Rear-end
Case Type
Motor Vehicle Negligence

Case Overview

On February 2, 2016, a rear-end collision occurred in Willis, Texas, when the defendant's vehicle struck the plaintiff's pickup truck, which was stopped at a red light. The plaintiff, an emergency medical technician, subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging the defendant's negligence caused various neck injuries, including sprains, strains, a herniation, and radicular pain, necessitating physical therapy and diagnostic tests. A chiropractor testified the injuries were accident-related, and the plaintiff sought substantial damages for past and future pain and impairment.

The defense argued the accident was minor, noting no traffic citation was issued and the investigating officer had no independent recollection. While the defendant's older car was totaled, the defense emphasized that photos of the plaintiff's pickup showed no visible damage. Defense counsel also contended the claimed injuries were pre-existing, citing the plaintiff's extensive history of numerous prior accidents and injuries, including other rear-end collisions.

After a two-day trial and 2.5 hours of deliberation, the jury found the defendant negligent and awarded the plaintiff $2,500. The outcome suggested the jury acknowledged some negligence but likely discounted the severity and causation of the claimed injuries, potentially influenced by the minimal vehicle damage to the plaintiff's truck and the defense's evidence of prior incidents.

VerdictlyTM Score

44
/100
Questionable

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