Houston Judge Awards $130,842 in Rear-End Collision
One driver alleged the other driver was negligent and hit their vehicle from behind. The injured driver sustained neck, back, and shoulder injuries requiring surgery. The second driver admitted fault for the collision but disputed the extent of the injuries and damages, suggesting a pre-existing shoulder condition. The case proceeded to a bench trial.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $130,842
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Shoulder Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $130,842 is near the median of $66,000 for shoulder injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $25,000 to $166,763, based on 64 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On June 6, 2013, a rear-end collision occurred in Houston, TX, involving two vehicles traveling northbound. The plaintiff driver alleged that the defendant driver, operating a vehicle owned by the defendant owner, negligently collided into the rear of the plaintiff's vehicle. As a result, the plaintiff claimed to have suffered neck, back, and shoulder injuries, with the shoulder injuries requiring acromionectomy surgery.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendants, alleging negligence. The defendants admitted liability for the collision itself but disputed the nature, extent, and causation of the plaintiff's claimed injuries and damages. Specifically, the defense argued that the plaintiff had a pre-existing shoulder injury and that the shoulder issues were not causally related to the crash.
The matter proceeded to a bench trial. The court found in favor of the plaintiff and awarded total damages of $130,842. This amount included $103,842 for medical expenses, $2,500 for past impairment, and $20,000 for future medical expenses.
Understanding This Case
- 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 2015, 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
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