Harris County Jury Awards $30,000 in Left Turn Collision
One driver was traveling eastbound and the other was traveling westbound. The westbound driver made a left turn, causing a collision with the eastbound driver. The eastbound driver alleged the collision aggravated prior neck, shoulder, and back issues, potentially requiring future surgery. The other driver disputed negligence and claimed the injuries predated the accident.
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
- $30,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2024
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- T-bone
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Left Turn Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $30,000 is near the median of $13,021 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $5,408 to $31,445, based on 800 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In May 2016, a vehicular collision occurred in Harris County, Texas, prompting a negligence lawsuit. The plaintiff, traveling eastbound on Louetta Road, alleged that the defendant, traveling in the opposite direction, made a negligent left turn, causing their vehicles to collide.
The plaintiff claimed the defendant failed to maintain a proper lookout, pay attention, and operated the vehicle negligently, resulting in injuries. These injuries included the aggravation of prior neck, shoulder, and back complaints, with a potential need for future surgery. The defendant denied negligence and asserted that any claimed injuries were not causally related to the accident, arguing that all damages predated the collision. A jury ultimately awarded the plaintiff $15,000 for medical expenses and $15,000 for pain and suffering, totaling $30,000.
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 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 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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