Beaumont Jury Issues Verdict for $747,750 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped in traffic when another driver rear-ended her. The injured driver had previously been in another accident that caused similar injuries. The second accident aggravated her pre-existing conditions. The jury found the second driver negligent and awarded damages.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Cervical Disc Injury Injuries
Cervical disc injuries involve damage to the intervertebral discs in the neck region (C1-C7). These injuries can include herniated discs, bulging discs, and disc degeneration accelerated by trauma.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $747,750
- County
- Jefferson County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $747,750 is above the median of $40,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $100,000, based on 250 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On August 16, 2013, a plaintiff, driving a 2012 Lexus CT 200h, was stopped in traffic on Interstate 10 in Beaumont, Texas, near the U.S. 69 exit. A defendant, driving a 2001 Mitsubishi Diamante, rear-ended the plaintiff's vehicle, resulting in both vehicles being totaled. The plaintiff subsequently sued the defendant for negligence. This lawsuit was consolidated with an earlier case involving a separate multi-vehicle collision from November 15, 2012. Only the plaintiff's negligence claim against the defendant for the August 2013 accident proceeded to a jury trial, as all other claims were nonsuited or settled.
At trial, the plaintiff's counsel argued the defendant failed to control his speed, estimating impact at 40 to 45 mph, and noted other drivers were able to stop safely. An investigating officer testified that the defendant was negligent and that traffic commonly slows at that location during rush hour. The plaintiff claimed the second accident aggravated pre-existing spinal conditions, with an orthopedic surgeon opining the first accident caused the injuries and the second one worsened them, necessitating future surgeries costing an estimated $285,000. The defense denied negligence, contending the plaintiff braked suddenly without reason and that her injuries were solely from the first accident, not aggravated by the second. The court struck the defense's expert.
Following a five-day trial, the jury deliberated for four hours before finding the defendant negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $747,750. A judgment was later entered by the court in favor of the plaintiff against the defendant for $786,062.29, which included taxable costs and prejudgment interest.
Understanding This Case
- Many cervical disc injuries improve with conservative treatment. However, about 30% of cases may require surgical intervention, with varying degrees of permanent impairment.
- 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 Jefferson County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2015, 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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