Houston Judge Finds Negligence in Red-Light Crash, Awards $13,547
Two drivers were involved in a car accident in Houston, Texas. One driver failed to yield at a red light and collided with another vehicle, which then struck the plaintiffs' vehicle. The plaintiffs sought damages for injuries to their necks, backs, legs, and wrists, as well as property damage and medical expenses. The court found in favor of the plaintiffs after the defendants failed to appear at trial.
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
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $13,547
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $13,547 is near the median of $9,367 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $3,100 to $25,000, based on 590 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On August 25, 2018, a multi-vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of Wheatley and W. Tidwell in Houston, Texas. The defendants, traveling eastbound, reportedly failed to yield at a red light and struck a vehicle driven by a third party, which then collided with a vehicle operated by the plaintiff driver, carrying a plaintiff passenger. The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit on November 5, 2018, alleging the defendants were negligent by failing to maintain a proper lookout, running a red light, failing to yield, and operating a vehicle while allegedly intoxicated.
The plaintiffs sought damages for their injuries, with the driver reporting neck and back issues along with approximately $2,000 in property damage. The passenger claimed injuries to her left leg, wrists, abdomen, left shoulder, and neck, accompanied by headaches. Both requested compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and physical impairment. The case was referred to mandatory mediation before a scheduled trial date.
On May 15, 2019, the court found in favor of the plaintiffs after the defendants failed to appear for trial. A final judgment was entered two days later, awarding the plaintiff driver $4,821 for medical expenses, $1,987.80 for property damage, $200 for loss of earning capacity, and $325.09 for pain and suffering. The plaintiff passenger received $4,741 for medical expenses, $750 for loss of earning capacity, and $325.41 for pain and suffering. The total judgment, including prejudgment interest and court costs, amounted to $13,547.33 plus ongoing interest. Post-judgment, the plaintiffs initiated collection efforts through a writ of execution.
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 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 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.
Curious about your case value?
Get a free case evaluation to understand what your motor vehicle accident case might be worth based on cases like this in Harris County.
Similar cases you may find useful
Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.
One driver was stopped in traffic on a highway when their vehicle was struck from behind by a bus. The driver claimed the collision caused permanent injuries, forcing them to change to a less physically demanding job. The bus company denied negligence. The jury found the bus company at fault.
One driver was stopped at an intersection preparing to turn left when their vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. The driver claimed neck injuries. The other driver's insurer offered its policy limit. The injured driver sued their own insurer for underinsured motorist benefits, alleging the other driver was negligent. The defense questioned the extent of injuries and suggested they were pre-existing.
One driver was stopped in traffic when their vehicle was hit from behind by another vehicle. The driver who was hit claimed serious injuries to their neck and back, including paralysis in one arm, requiring surgery. The other driver argued that a third vehicle caused the accident or that the injured driver's own actions contributed. The jury found the second driver fully at fault.
One driver was traveling on a freeway when their car was struck from behind by a box truck. The driver who was hit claimed injuries to their back and neck. The responding officer believed the truck driver failed to control speed, but also faulted the other driver for an unsafe lane change. The truck driver claimed the other driver suddenly moved into their path. The jury found both drivers equally liable for the accident.
One driver was stopped behind another vehicle when her car was hit from behind by a trailing car. The injured driver claimed injuries to her back, head, and neck, including herniated discs and nerve impingement. The defense conceded liability, and the trial focused on damages. The injured driver testified that she still experiences back pain and has difficulty lifting children, impacting her ability to work as a nanny.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.