Harris County, Texas Motor Vehicle Negligence Settles for $3,000
One driver turned into the path of another vehicle, causing a collision. The occupants of the first vehicle sustained neck and back injuries. The case involved claims of negligence and defenses related to pre-existing conditions and prior arbitration decisions. The parties ultimately reached a settlement.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Neck Injury (Whiplash) Injuries
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by rapid back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly occurring in rear-end collisions. Despite being frequently dismissed, whiplash can cause significant pain and disability.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $3,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2022
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This settlement of $3,000 is near the median of $13,969 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $2,500 to $66,600, based on 38 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On February 15, 2016, an automobile accident occurred in Harris County, Texas. A plaintiff driver and two minor passengers were traveling eastbound when the defendant driver made a left turn without signaling, drifting into the plaintiffs' lane and causing a collision. The plaintiff driver sustained neck and back injuries, incurring over $18,600 in medical bills, while the minor passengers were diagnosed with various strains and spasms. The plaintiffs filed a negligence lawsuit, alleging the defendant failed to keep a proper lookout, yield the right of way, and maintain vehicle control.
The defendant filed a general denial, asserting the plaintiffs' injuries were due to pre-existing conditions. The defendant also cited a prior insurance arbitration that found the plaintiff driver 90% liable for the collision. Despite an initial summary judgment for the defendant and subsequent reinstatement, the parties ultimately reached a settlement.
On April 24, 2018, the court entered a final judgment approving a total settlement of $3,000.00 for the minor plaintiffs. Funds were allocated for medical expenses and held by the County Clerk until the minors reached adulthood.
Understanding This Case
- Most whiplash injuries improve within 2-3 months. However, about 25% of patients experience chronic symptoms lasting over a year, significantly impacting quality of life.
- This case was resolved through a settlement, avoiding the uncertainty and expense of a trial. Settlements typically resolve faster and provide guaranteed compensation.
- 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 2022, 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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