Brazoria County Jury Awards $235,216 in Rear-End Collision
A driver was stopped on a county road when her car was hit from behind by a minivan. The driver claimed injuries to her head, neck, and shoulder, including a concussion and a bulging disc. The defense questioned the extent of the injuries and causation, noting the driver did not complain of a head injury at the hospital and had a history of migraines. The jury found in favor of the plaintiff.
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
- $235,216
- County
- Brazoria County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $235,216 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 29, 2016, a traffic collision occurred on County Road 44 in Brazoria County when the plaintiff's vehicle was struck from behind by a minivan operated by the defendant. The plaintiff was decelerating behind another turning vehicle when the incident occurred. The plaintiff subsequently claimed injuries to her head, neck, and a shoulder, leading her to file a lawsuit alleging negligence in the defendant's operation of the vehicle.
The plaintiff's counsel contended that the defendant was unfit to drive at the time of the accident. The defendant testified that she had visited a doctor earlier that day for left-foot neuropathy, which can cause weakness or numbness. She stated that she felt she could not control her left foot and that it slipped from the brake pedal while she was traveling at approximately 50 mph. The presiding judge granted a directed verdict on the question of liability, finding in favor of the plaintiff.
Regarding damages, the plaintiff claimed to have suffered a concussion, mild brain damage, a right shoulder injury, and a bulging disc in her neck (C5-6). She alleged that these injuries resulted in memory impairment, other cognitive issues, post-concussion syndrome, and spinal nerve impingement. A neurologist expert for the plaintiff testified that head injuries sometimes do not manifest immediately. Defense counsel questioned the causation of any brain injury, noting that hospital records immediately after the accident indicated "no apparent head injury" and that the plaintiff had a history of migraines. The defense also disputed the claim of cervical nerve impingement, citing a cervical MRI report that showed no impingement.
After a 12-day trial and four hours of deliberation, the jury returned a 10-2 verdict. The jury found that the plaintiff's total damages amounted to $235,216.
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 Brazoria County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2019, 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
This outcome differs from typical similar cases
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