Harris County Jury Awards $10,280 in Rear-End Collision
A collision occurred when one driver struck the rear of another vehicle. A third driver then hit the second vehicle. The driver who was initially rear-ended reported injuries to her neck, back, head, and body. Lawsuits were filed alleging negligence, including failure to maintain a proper lookout and safe following distance. Defenses included claims of the injured driver's own negligence and pre-existing conditions. The case went to trial, and a jury awarded damages to the injured driver.
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
- $111,333
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2024
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $111,333 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
A motor vehicle collision occurred on June 8, 2021, in Harris County, Texas. The plaintiff, driving a small car, was struck from the rear by a van. A large pickup truck then struck the van. The plaintiff sustained injuries to her neck, back, head, and body. On July 9, 2021, the plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the van driver and the pickup truck driver, alleging negligence, including failure to keep a proper lookout, timely brake, and maintain a safe following distance. The plaintiff also sought a temporary restraining order to inspect the pickup truck and download its crash data.
Both defendants responded with general denials. The pickup truck driver asserted that the plaintiff's own acts or omissions caused her injuries, and later claimed that the van driver or an associated entity, Aqua Marine Transport, LLC, was the sole proximate cause. The pickup truck driver also stated the plaintiff suffered from a pre-existing condition. The van driver sought credit for payments received by the plaintiff and referenced Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code provisions concerning medical expense recovery and net loss for earnings.
The case proceeded to a jury trial, which returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff on August 2, 2024. The jury awarded $19,600 in damages against the pickup truck driver, and $200 each against the van driver and Aqua Marine Transport, LLC. On November 19, 2024, the court entered a judgment on the merits, awarding the plaintiff general damages of $5,334.79 against all three defendants. The court also awarded $4,945.23 in attorneys' fees and costs, payable by all three defendants. The case concluded with a plaintiff win via jury verdict.
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 2024, 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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