Harris County Jury Awards $378,205 in Red-Light Crash

In January 2012, a passenger was injured when the vehicle they occupied was involved in a multi-car collision in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff alleged the defendant driver, while speaking on a cell phone, drove through a red light at the intersection of Westpark and Highway 6. The vehicle then collided with another car before ricocheting and striking three additional vehicles.

The plaintiff sustained soft tissue injuries to the lower and upper back, including two disc bulges, and a shoulder injury, incurring $28,205 in medical expenses. The plaintiff filed a personal injury lawsuit in Harris County, alleging negligence and seeking damages for past and future physical pain, mental anguish, medical expenses, and physical impairment. The defendant's insurer denied liability and disputed the plaintiff's claimed damages.

During the trial, the plaintiff testified, and an investigating police officer also provided testimony. The plaintiff presented medical records from treating physicians as evidence. The jury deliberated and returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $378,205 in total damages. This included $300,000 for past and future physical pain and mental anguish, $50,000 for physical impairment, and $28,205 for medical expenses.