Harris County Jury Awards $44,567 in Split Liability Car Crash
One driver was traveling in a divided street when another driver attempted to cross from the median into a parking lot. A truck in the left lane stopped and waved the second driver across. The first driver broadsided the second driver. The first driver claimed injuries to their back and neck.
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
- $49,519
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- T-bone
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $49,519 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 January 23, 2016, in Harris County, a plaintiff driving in the right lane of a divided street broadsided another vehicle attempting to cross from a median into a parking lot. The plaintiff, a banquet server, sustained back and neck injuries and later filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant driver was negligent in operating his vehicle. A police report noted a contributing factor against the defendant for failure to yield the right of way.
The plaintiff claimed injuries including herniated lumbar discs and cervical and lumbar sprains and strains, seeking past and future medical expenses, vehicle repair costs, loss of use, and damages for pain, impairment, and lost income. The defendant denied negligence, arguing the plaintiff failed to maintain a proper lookout and was speeding. The defense also contested the extent of injuries, noting no initial back complaints in ambulance records, a significant treatment gap, and the cessation of treatment after November 2016.
Following a trial, a jury found both parties negligent. The jury attributed 90 percent of the fault to the defendant and 10 percent to the plaintiff, awarding the plaintiff $49,519.20. After the 10 percent reduction for comparative fault, the plaintiff received $44,567.28.
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 2019, 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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