Verdictly
Verdict-Plaintiff
Harris County • 2017

Cypress Jury Awards $52,177.65 in Red-Light Collision

One driver was stopped at a red light, intending to turn left. The other driver ran the red light and struck the first driver's vehicle. The first driver claimed neck, back, and shoulder injuries, including disc herniations. The second driver did not strongly dispute fault.

Case Information Updated: October 2025

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Cervical Disc Injury
Other Accident
Motor Vehicle Negligence

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
$52,178
County
Harris County, TX
Resolved
2017

Injury & Accident Details

Injury Type
Cervical Disc Injury
Accident Type
Other
Case Type
Motor Vehicle Negligence

Settlement Context

This verdict-plaintiff of $52,178 is near the median of $42,976 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $139,701, based on 382 cases in our database.

Case Overview

On July 15, 2014, in Cypress, a plaintiff's vehicle was struck by a defendant's vehicle at the intersection of Cypress Station Drive and West Farm to Market Road 1960. The plaintiff was proceeding through a green arrow to turn left when the defendant, driving eastbound, ran a red light and collided with the plaintiff's front left quarter panel. A police report listed the defendant's disregard of the traffic light as the sole contributing factor.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging the defendant's negligence in running a red light, failing to yield the right of way, failing to maintain a proper lookout, and failing to brake or turn to avoid the collision. The plaintiff claimed neck, back, and shoulder injuries, including disc herniations at C4-5 and C5-6, neck and back pain, and radicular pain in the left shoulder, for which they sought emergency room care, chiropractic treatment, MRIs, and an epidural steroid injection. Damages sought included $27,177.65 for past medical bills, along with past and future physical pain, mental anguish, and physical impairment.

The defendant did not strongly dispute liability for the collision. However, the defense presented a neurologist who testified that the plaintiff sustained a cervical strain and that cervical MRI findings indicated only minimal discogenic changes. The expert also opined that chiropractic treatment beyond nine visits was excessive, citing occupational disability guidelines, and disputed the appropriateness of the epidural injection, stating the cervical MRI showed no nerve root impingement.

Following a two-day trial, a jury found the defendant negligent and awarded the plaintiff $52,177.65 in damages. During deliberations, the jury inquired about how medical providers would be paid if the awarded amount for medical bills was less than the total expenses, suggesting a consideration of specific medical costs in their final award.

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 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

78
/100
Reasonably Fair

This outcome is within expected ranges

This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.

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