Houston Jury Awards $11,421 in Negligent Red-Light Crash
One driver was stopped at a red light when another vehicle ran the light and hit a third vehicle. The third vehicle then hit the first vehicle. The driver of the first vehicle claimed neck and back injuries and sought compensation for medical expenses and pain.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Cervical Disc Injury Injuries
Cervical disc injuries involve damage to the intervertebral discs in the neck region (C1-C7). These injuries can include herniated discs, bulging discs, and disc degeneration accelerated by trauma.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $11,421
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Multi-vehicle
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $11,421 is below the median of $40,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $100,000, based on 250 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On August 4, 2015, a three-vehicle collision occurred in Houston. The plaintiff, a pet store employee, was driving a Chrysler Pacifica eastbound on Beechnut Street and had stopped at a red light at the West Sam Houston Parkway feeder road. After the light turned green, a defendant, driving a Toyota Camry on the feeder road, reportedly ran a red light. The Camry struck a Ford Crown Victoria, which then collided with the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff claimed neck and back strains, sprains, and a 1-millimeter cervical disc herniation.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging the defendant negligently ran a red light and failed to yield the right of way. The plaintiff underwent two months of physical therapy and received pain medication. The plaintiff sought $11,421 for past medical expenses and $5,000 for past physical pain. On the day of trial, the defendant stipulated to liability, focusing the case on damages. The defense highlighted a two-day delay in the plaintiff seeking treatment and the plaintiff's denial of injury at the scene. Defense counsel suggested the jury award only reasonable medical bills and 10 percent of that amount for pain.
A jury awarded the plaintiff $11,421. This total included $10,121 for past medical costs and $1,300 for past physical pain. The award for past medical expenses matched the amount sought by the plaintiff, but the award for past physical pain was less than the requested amount.
Understanding This Case
- Many cervical disc injuries improve with conservative treatment. However, about 30% of cases may require surgical intervention, with varying degrees of permanent impairment.
- 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 2018, 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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