Harris County Jury Awards $12,460 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped in traffic when another driver rear-ended her. The injured driver claimed injuries to her neck, back, and shoulder. She sought damages for medical bills and pain and suffering.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Back Strain / Soft Tissue Injuries
Back strain and soft tissue injuries are among the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. These injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back, often resulting from the sudden impact forces experienced during a collision.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $12,460
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $12,460 is near the median of $13,980 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $5,649 to $30,000, based on 1000 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On November 1, 2012, in Harris County, a 55-year-old driving instructor was rear-ended by another vehicle on Pasadena Boulevard. The plaintiff had stopped for traffic when the collision occurred. The plaintiff later reported neck, back, and right shoulder sprains and strains, with pain beginning three days post-incident. She underwent eight weeks of chiropractic treatment.
The plaintiff sued the driver of the other vehicle for negligence, alleging failure to maintain a proper lookout and control speed. The defendant driver stipulated to liability, leaving damages as the sole issue for trial. The plaintiff sought $7,460 for past medical bills and $10,000 for past physical pain, suffering, and impairment. The defense argued the plaintiff's recovery was good after eight weeks of treatment and contended that no noneconomic damages should be awarded.
Following a one-day trial, a Harris County jury awarded the plaintiff $12,460. The award included the full $7,460 for past medical costs, along with $3,000 for past physical pain and suffering, and $2,000 for past physical impairment.
Understanding This Case
- The majority of soft tissue injuries resolve within 6-12 weeks with proper treatment. However, approximately 10-20% of cases may develop into chronic conditions requiring ongoing care.
- 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 2015, 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 aligns very well with similar cases
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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