Harris County Jury Awards $44,125 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was traveling on a road when the other driver struck their vehicle from behind. The driver who was hit claimed neck and back injuries, including disc herniations. The passenger in the hit vehicle also claimed disc herniations and nerve impingement. The driver who caused the collision eventually admitted fault but argued the injuries were exaggerated. The jury awarded past medical expenses for both individuals.
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
- $44,125
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $44,125 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 August 31, 2015, a vehicle driven by the first plaintiff, with the second plaintiff as a passenger, was rear-ended on Kirkwood Road in Harris County, Texas. The plaintiffs subsequently filed a personal injury lawsuit against the defendant, alleging negligence. They claimed the defendant failed to maintain a proper lookout, apply brakes timely, take evasive action, and maintain a safe distance.
The plaintiffs maintained that they suffered neck and back injuries from the collision. The plaintiff driver alleged L4-5 and L5-S1 disc herniations requiring epidural steroid injections. The plaintiff passenger claimed disc herniations at C3-4, C5-6, C6-7, and L5-S1, along with bilateral nerve root impingement at L5. The defendant initially denied negligence but stipulated liability before trial, instead arguing that the plaintiffs exaggerated their injuries, which were, at most, soft tissue.
A jury in Harris County, Texas, found in favor of the plaintiffs. The jury awarded the plaintiff driver $20,365 for past medical expenses, and the plaintiff passenger received $23,760 for past medical expenses. The case concluded on August 23, 2018.
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 2018, 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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