Houston Jury Awards $15,537 in Split Liability Rear-End Crash
One driver was traveling on a highway when the other driver, operating a heavy-duty truck, rear-ended their vehicle. The injured driver was taken to the hospital with severe injuries. The case proceeded to trial, and the jury found both parties negligent, assigning 50% responsibility to each. Damages were awarded for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
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
- Mixed
- Amount
- $15,537
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2021
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Truck/Commercial
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This mixed of $15,537 is above the median of $12,500 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by mixed. The typical range is $12,378 to $15,537, based on 5 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A plaintiff suffered injuries in a rear-end collision on the Gulf Freeway in Houston, Texas, on September 5, 2016. The incident occurred when a heavy-duty truck, operated by the defendant, struck the plaintiff's vehicle from behind. The plaintiff was transported to a hospital with severe injuries following the morning collision.
The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant's negligence included following too closely, failing to recognize traffic laws, failing to maintain a proper lookout, and failing to brake effectively to avoid the collision. The plaintiff sought relief for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other related damages. The defendant denied the allegations, asserting that the plaintiff's own actions were the sole proximate cause of the accident or that a sudden emergency contributed. The defense also contended that the plaintiff's injuries were caused by pre-existing or subsequent conditions and challenged the reasonableness and necessity of the claimed medical expenses.
The case proceeded to trial in Houston. On January 28, 2021, a jury found both parties negligent, assigning 50% responsibility to each for the collision. Consistent with Texas's proportionate responsibility laws, the court awarded the plaintiff $15,537.97 in damages, representing 50% of the total assessed damages of $31,075.94. This award included compensation for past medical care, lost wages, physical pain, and mental anguish, along with prejudgment and postjudgment interest.
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 was resolved in Harris County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2021, 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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