Baytown Jury Awards $12,000 in Rear-End Collision
A teacher was stopped in traffic when another driver rear-ended her vehicle. The impact pushed her car into the car in front of her. She claimed her back injuries were aggravated by the collision. The defense argued her injuries were pre-existing. The jury found the defendant driver negligent and awarded damages.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Lumbar Disc Injury Injuries
Lumbar disc injuries affect the lower back (L1-L5 and S1), which bears significant body weight and is particularly vulnerable to trauma. These injuries can cause debilitating pain and functional limitations.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $12,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $12,000 is below the median of $50,756 for lumbar disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $20,000 to $210,000, based on 204 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On March 17, 2014, in Baytown, Texas, a compact sport utility vehicle driven by a 59-year-old teacher was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer on Highway 146 while slowing for a stoplight. The impact pushed the SUV into the vehicle ahead. The plaintiff claimed back injuries and subsequently filed a lawsuit against the tractor-trailer driver and his employer. The plaintiff alleged the driver was negligent for failing to control speed and maintain a proper lookout. Claims against the employer included respondeat superior, negligent training regarding getting lost, and negligent failure to provide routing instructions.
The defendant driver stipulated to negligence. However, the employer denied direct negligence, arguing the driver was not lost and Highway 146 was an appropriate route. A plaintiff's expert testified that the employer should have provided routing instructions and trained the driver to pull over if lost. A defense expert countered that routing instructions are generally only required for hazardous materials, which were not being transported, and regulations do not mandate training for lost drivers. The plaintiff claimed the accident aggravated pre-existing spinal conditions and sought up to $1 million for past and future medical bills, lost earning capacity, pain, mental anguish, and punitive damages against the employer. The defense contended that any injuries were pre-existing degenerative conditions and the accident's impact was not severe, suggesting a minimal award.
After a three-day trial, a jury deliberated for three hours. The jury did not find direct negligence against the employer. However, the jury found both the driver and the employer liable for the driver's stipulated negligence and awarded the plaintiff $12,000.
Understanding This Case
- About 90% of lumbar disc herniations improve with conservative treatment. However, those requiring surgery may face permanent work restrictions and ongoing pain management needs.
- This case went to trial and resulted in a jury verdict. Verdicts can yield higher awards but carry the risk of receiving nothing if the jury rules against the plaintiff.
- This case was resolved in Harris County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2017, this case reflects the legal and economic conditions of that period, including medical costs, insurance practices, and jury award trends at the time.
VerdictlyTM Score
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