Harris County Jury Awards $772.28 in Rear-End Collision
One driver rear-ended another vehicle stopped at an intersection. The driver who was hit claimed they sustained severe injuries and vehicle damage. The other driver denied fault and requested jury consideration of certain defenses. The case went to trial, and a jury found in favor of the driver who was hit.
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
- $1,956
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2023
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $1,956 is below 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
A collision occurred on April 23, 2014, near the intersection of Ella Boulevard and Stonecrest Street in Harris County, Texas, when the defendant's vehicle struck the rear of a pickup truck operated by the plaintiff. The plaintiff alleged the defendant failed to keep a proper lookout, control the vehicle, and maintain an assured clear distance, violating Texas Transportation Code § 545.062. As a result, the plaintiff claimed severe personal injuries requiring medical care and significant vehicle damage, seeking damages for physical pain, medical expenses, lost earnings, and property loss.
The defendant issued a general denial of the allegations, arguing that questions of negligence should be presented to a jury. The defendant also sought jury instructions on potential defenses such as sudden emergency or unavoidable accident. The case proceeded through discovery, including granted motions for continuance to allow for the completion of pre-trial procedures.
A jury trial ultimately commenced and concluded on May 3, 2023, with a verdict rendered in favor of the plaintiff. The jury awarded the plaintiff $1,184.06 in general damages. The final judgment on the merits subsequently reduced the total amount to be paid by the defendant to $772.28.
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 2023, 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 differs from typical 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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