Harris County Jury Awards $1,560,000 in Truck Rear-End Collision
One driver was traveling on a freeway when their vehicle was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer. The impact caused the driver's vehicle to spin and also hit another vehicle. The driver was trapped and had to be extricated. They were treated for injuries including neck pain, headaches, and confusion, and later diagnosed with disc bulges and a traumatic brain injury.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Neck Injury (Whiplash) Injuries
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by rapid back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly occurring in rear-end collisions. Despite being frequently dismissed, whiplash can cause significant pain and disability.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $1,560,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Truck/Commercial
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Truck/Auto Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $1,560,000 is above the median of $9,367 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $3,100 to $25,000, based on 590 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On April 23, 2015, in Jersey Village, Harris County, Texas, a plaintiff's vehicle was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer on the N.W. Freeway. The collision occurred after a lead vehicle slowed due to a flat tire, causing the plaintiff to slow and activate hazard lights. A defendant truck driver, employed by a defendant trucking company, then struck the plaintiff's vehicle, which in turn impacted the lead vehicle. The plaintiff was extricated, received initial hospital treatment, and later diagnosed with cervical and lumbar disc bulges, a traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and chronic pain syndrome.
The plaintiff alleged the truck driver's negligence in lookout, attention, and speed control, and the trucking company's negligence in hiring, training, and supervision. An initial claim was also filed against the lead vehicle's driver. The defendants denied negligence and disputed the plaintiff's injuries, arguing some conditions predated the accident.
The case proceeded to trial against the defendant truck driver and defendant trucking company. A jury found the defendants negligent and that their actions caused harm to the plaintiff. The plaintiff was awarded $1,560,000, which included $600,000 for past pain and suffering, $500,000 for future pain and suffering, and $460,000 for future medical expenses.
Understanding This Case
- Most whiplash injuries improve within 2-3 months. However, about 25% of patients experience chronic symptoms lasting over a year, significantly impacting quality of life.
- 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 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 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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