Harris County Jury Awards $12,436 for Rear-End Collision Injuries
One driver was stopped at a red light when her vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. The injured driver claimed injuries to her back and neck, including herniated discs and nerve impingement. The defense argued the collision was minor and the injuries claimed were not caused by the accident. The jury found both drivers shared liability.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Lumbar Disc Injury Injuries
Lumbar disc injuries affect the lower back (L1-L5 and S1), which bears significant body weight and is particularly vulnerable to trauma. These injuries can cause debilitating pain and functional limitations.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $20,727
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2020
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $20,727 is near the median of $50,756 for lumbar disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $20,000 to $210,000, based on 204 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On December 25, 2015, a rear-end collision occurred in Harris County when a sport utility vehicle struck the plaintiff's car. The plaintiff, who claimed to have been stopped at a red traffic signal, alleged suffering injuries to her back and neck. She filed a lawsuit on December 6, 2017, against the driver of the SUV, alleging negligent operation of the vehicle. A claim against the vehicle's owner was later discontinued.
The defendant was served on February 3, 2018, after the expiration of the statute of limitations, but the plaintiff contended that reasonable diligence was exercised in effecting service. During the trial, the plaintiff claimed the collision occurred shortly after she proceeded through a green light. In contrast, the defendant asserted the accident resulted from the plaintiff stopping suddenly after entering the intersection. The defendant also argued that the accident was minor, causing minimal vehicular damage, and could not have caused the severe spinal injuries the plaintiff claimed, suggesting her treatment was unnecessary and attorney-driven.
The plaintiff claimed herniations of spinal discs, sprains, strains, nerve impingement, and radiculopathy, seeking over $20,000 for past medical expenses, alongside damages for pain and suffering. After a one-day trial, the jury found both motorists shared liability for the accident, assigning 60 percent fault to the defendant and 40 percent to the plaintiff. The jury also concluded that reasonable diligence was used in serving the defendant. Damages were assessed at $20,727, which resulted in a net recovery of $12,436.20 for the plaintiff after the comparative negligence reduction.
Understanding This Case
- About 90% of lumbar disc herniations improve with conservative treatment. However, those requiring surgery may face permanent work restrictions and ongoing pain management needs.
- 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 2020, 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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